Jan 16, 2015 2 min read

Through March 1

Orchid and Bonsai Show

The annual Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will chase away the winter blues with a healthy dose of color, inspiration and beauty.

The show will feature hundreds of orchids. Selections from the Barbara Tisherman Slipper Orchid collection, curated in collaboration with the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania to be one of the world’s definitive slipper orchid resources, will also be on display for guests to explore and enjoy.

Offering a striking contrast, Phipps’ tropical bonsai – dwarfed trees trained to take on the shapes of their larger counterparts in nature – will also be showcased in many forms, from the iconic formal upright bonsai to the more dramatic slant bonsai that resemble windswept trees. Said to give those who practice the art a sense of well-being, this time-honored Japanese tradition classifies specimens by size and style based upon the shapes of their trunks, roots and branches.

Public programs, held free with paid admission throughout the duration of the show, will also be held at 1:30 p.m. on select Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, bonsai classes on a variety of topics for all skill levels are available through Phipps’ adult education program throughout the year.

A new art exhibit in the Welcome Center Gallery, “Orchids and Irises in the Garden” by artist Jamie Kirkell, will be open for the duration of the show as well.

Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show is open from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and until 10 p.m. on Fridays, through March 1. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and students and $11 for children (ages 2-18). Members and kids under 2 are free.

For more information, visit phipps.conservatory.org.