Hi everyone! If you’re like me you’ve probably caught yourself thinking “how can I surround myself with as many plants as possible.” Unfortunately, due to reasons such as lighting and space we can only have so many plants in our homes. If you want to be surrounded I suggest you check out Phipps conservatory and botanical gardens or a plant sanctuary close to you!

Phipps Conservatory and botanical gardens is located in Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA.  It is about an hour drive from where I am local to. I am lucky to have one of the greenest facilities in the world so close to me. Phipps was built with the intention to educate people on formal gardens and species of plants. It is awesome because some of the plants you can see in Phipps you can grow at home and others you wouldn’t see unless you went to the rainforest. 

There are fourteen distinct rooms in Phipps and additional gardens outside. First there is a plan court contain various species of palm trees. Then there is the serpentine room filled with seasonal plants such as poinsettias at Christmas time. Next, you will see the fern room which contains many species of ferns and cycads. Then there is the orchid room which at one point had 800 rare orchids. The stove room is next containing deep tropic plants and butterfly forest. The south conservatory room has small plants on display along with seasonal flowers. Next, you will go into the tropical fruit and spice room with plants such as lemon trees and coffee plants. Then, is the huge tropical forest conservatory with a lot of tropical plants. The room rotates tropical countries every three years. Most recently it is cuba. Next, you will make your way into the gallery room with the farmers market. Then you will move into the sunken garden with seasonal plants. This room changes its theme frequently so you never know what to expect. Next, there is the desert room filled with cacti and succulents. Then there is the Victoria room with a pond and seasonal plants. Next, you will enter the broderie room and see flower beds representing the gardens of Louis the fourteenth. Lastly there is the east room with streams, water falls, and seasonal plants. 

Phipps is a great place for everyone. They let you walk through and enjoy it at your own pace. They have seasonal events where they decorate. I recommend attending the Christmas one. You won’t be disappointed.

Have you ever been to Phipps? What did you think? Is there another botanical garden you like to visit or have heard good things about?