Phipps Conservatory Orchid and Bonsai Show Winds Down After Weeks of Blooms

The "Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love," designed by Bonsai Display Horticulturist Liane Moos alongside Senior Plant Procurement, Recording and Design Associate Laura Schoch, Horticultural Collections Manager Giovanny Giraldo, and Orchid Display Horticulturist Thathmini Kularatna, ran from January 10 through March 15 inside Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh. By the time a visitor's illustrated snapshot circulated on March 22, the glasshouse had gone quiet after ten weeks of blooms, and the bonsai collections that anchored the show were among the last things drawing attention before the curtain came down.

The Serpentine Room served as the dedicated bonsai space, where guests could journey through numerous tropical specimens and cast a vote for their favorite. Some of those bonsai were 30-plus years old, grown in a range of distinct styles. It's the kind of quiet detail that gets lost in the broader spectacle of an orchid show, but for anyone who made the trip specifically to study the trees, the Serpentine Room delivered.

The show didn't lack for drama elsewhere. An 8-foot orchid tower anchored the Sunken Garden, splashed in bright pink, yellow and orange, while the Broderie Room ran a tight palette of magenta, chartreuse and violet. The Valentine's framing, right down to a neon pink LED Love sign in the Welcome Center, gave the show a distinct seasonal identity that set it apart from a standard winter flower display.

The orchid side of the ledger had its own headline moment. On January 31, Phipps was honored at the National Capital Orchid Society's 46th Annual Paphiopedilum Forum in Washington, D.C., an official judging event of the American Orchid Society and one of the oldest annual events in the United States devoted entirely to slipper orchids. Phipps walked away with three first-place awards, four second-place awards, one third-place award, a blue ribbon for best antique hybrid, and a special ribbon for best plant culture. The winning orchids were on display in the Sunken Garden for the duration of the show's run through March 15.

Phipps has provided a world-class garden experience since 1893, encompassing 15 acres that include a 14-room glasshouse and 23 distinct gardens. The institution is known for its industry-leading sustainable architecture and green practices, alongside its orchid and bonsai collections. An Orchid Clearance Sale is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., offering visitors a chance to take home a piece of the show. Early arrival is recommended for the best selection.