Last Updated on October 17, 2019 by Jeremy
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Phipps Conservatory is known for being one of the largest botanical gardens in the region, and also for their seasonal flower shows that are truly events not to be missed.
For the fall 2019 flower show, Phipps is transporting you to Asia with the theme Japanese Inspirations- recreating numerous festivals all adorned with stunning fall flowers!
As with all of our show reviews, we're not going to share every room in the Conservatory (you'll have to visit yourself to see them all!). Instead, we're going to feature a few of our favorite rooms from the show to highlight a cross-section of the displays!
The East Room
The East Room is themed after the Star Festival, or Tanabata, which is one of the country's most colorful celebrations (and is truly reflected in the room).
In this festival, participants can write down their wishes on bamboo plants such that when they grow it will carry their dreams to heaven. Phipps also makes this one interactive for those who want to write their own wishes (or practice their kanji with a few selected wishes) to hang as well!
The Sunken Garden
During the Japanese Inspirations show, the Sunken Garden is transformed to celebrated Kodomo no Hi, or Children's Day. This festival celebrates all things children where families build poles with streamers and carp-shaped banners color-coded to match the family (black for the father, red for the mother, and different colors for children).
As such, the Sunken Garden is filled to the brim with colorful carp banners, including a monster carp hanging in the air as soon as you walk in!
Since most displays are normally down inside the sunken garden, it is quite a nice change of pace to see so many beautiful designs hanging in the air in addition to the gorgeous chrysanthemums lining the garden itself!
The Broderie Room
In recent shows, it seems like the Broderie Room is getting more and more vibrant, and for the Fall Flower Show that is no different. Here the room is filled with gorgeous yellow flowers of various shades (many of which being chrysanthemums) and offers up a stunning mono-chromatic vibrancy that you wouldn't quite expect!
Along the back wall is also something a bit unique to the room, spicy chili peppers adding a bit of red pop as well!
Unfortunately, I was only able to visit this particular flower show as a preview before it was officially opened to the public, so a few of the other popular rooms, like the Serpentine Room or the Palm Court, were still being worked on (and thus I cannot share their beauty in this one). Suffice it to say, what I did get to see makes me believe they'll be among two of the more stunning rooms for the entire show, which means you'll need to get there to see it for yourself before the show ends!
Phipps Conservatory is located at 1 Schenley Drive and the Fall Flower Show is running through November 10th, 2019. Be sure to look out for Godzilla making an appearance as well! We were guests of Phipps for a preview of the flower show before it opened. As always, all opinions are our own.
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