Field trip to Phipps with Doug Sunday 10/17/2010

Every couple years I take gardeners on a tour of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. This Sunday, October 17th at 11am we'll meet in the welcome center and spend an hour or two walking through the conservatory's fall flower show, "Gargoyles in the Garden." I love the fall shows at Phipps, filled with lots of colorful flowers with a focus on mums. The gargoyles will be cool too. I'm always surprised by how many people tell me they haven't visited Phipps since their school days, well here's your chance to see the conservatory at its peak.

The outdoor gardens will be open too and they are spectacular this late in the season.

I thought we could have lunch at Phipps if you're hungry then walk up Flagstaff Hill to the Hunt Institute to see their International Exhibit. The Hunt is an amazing gallery lined with walnut walls and filled with incredible botanical paintings and drawings. I think it's the greatest collection of botanical art in the world.  This special show only happens every three years and it's the best of the best. The artists show plants in their prime, but also in every state of growth and decline a seen below in Fiona Strickland's  Helianthus, Last sunflower, watercolor on paper by Fiona Strickland (Scotland).

I did a video about the Hunt with curator Lugene Bruno at an earlier show. I hold her in the highest regard for her professionalism and passion for her craft.

If you would like to join me for a fun field trip it's only going to cost the price of admission to Phipps and they are giving us a 20 percent discount. If you become a member that day, you'll tour for free. Lunch is on your own, the cafe at Phipps is awesome, that's where I'm eating and the visit to the Hunt is free. I'll be talking about the trip Thursday on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live, this is your chance to get in on the visit before the TV audience.

Space is limited so please let me know if you're coming by emailing me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 412-779-5861.

Hope to see you there!

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