Each year, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens ushers in the summer with something new to delight and amaze. This year is no exception. The flower show, dubbed “Under the Sea,” invites guests on a fantasy adventure which takes place underwater.
The vibrant scenes meant to rival those that one might observe in the depths of the ocean, challenge visitors to use their imaginations to explore a land where sea creatures frolic and flora flourish. Jordyn Melino, associate director of exhibits at Phipps, said that visitors will view weird and wonderful plants that look like they belong under the sea, along with sea creatures made of dried and live plants. Some even have the added allure of being animatronic.
“The first thing that greets guests is a giant octopus made with live plants that stands 5 feet tall and 8 feet wide,” said Melino, adding that a giant whale also takes center stage to welcome visitors as it swims through a sea of bright blue blooms. Additional enticements include topiary seahorses, which reveal the artistry of their creators and float in the pond in the historic glasshouse as a scuba diver captures their beauty from above. Guests will stroll among turtles, angelfish and cardinal fish in the Gallery Room and witness an eel making its way through blue, yellow and coral flora.
Also located in the Gallery Room is a water table geared to younger visitors. The interactive, educational exhibit allows children the opportunity to pick up small objects floating in the rivers and put them in the ocean, while removing those which belong in neither. Another eye-catching display, this time in the East Room, is a family of walruses which float above a large clamshell.
With a press of the button, a pearl is revealed. “People of all ages are enjoying pressing that button,” said Melino. According to Melino, the South Conservatory houses an animatronic shark who resides in a giant shipwreck.
“The shark emerges from the shipwreck periodically and then returns. Its tail sways as it moves and it’s quite a hit,” said Melino, adding that it was fun to build an aged shipwreck with tattered sales, littered with debris. “Part of it includes an interactive treasure chest which reveals treasures inside,” she said.
Winding through the west wing of the original 1893 glasshouse, the Serpentine room features coral reefs built from fossilized coral through which five-foot-wide topiary fish glide. Suspended from the ceiling is a 16-foot-long art sculpture made from upcycled “found” plastic objects. The piece, created by Japanese sculptor Sayaka Ganz, is named Nanami, which means “seven seas” in Japanese.
“It is really quite stunning,” said Merlino. The Butterfly Forest Guests can also interact with winged creatures at Phipps. The popular butterfly forest has returned to the glasshouse to provide visitors with a close look at nature’s pollinators.
To reach the educational exhibit, visitors stroll along a winding forest path over a bridge, past ponds and through a tunnel to discover a variety of butterfly species as they flutter above plants to feed on nectar. “Each year we feature up to 31 different species, which can change over the summer,” said Braley Burke, integrated pest management specialist at Phipps. What people might find interesting is that all the butterfly species have different personalities, according to Burke.
“The long-winged ones are the most social. The Zebra tends to be a guest favorite, and so many are charismatic, although some are wallflowers,” she said with a chuckle. Another piece of information which Burke offers, and which might surprise guests, is that butterflies are attracted to sweat.
“If you’re sweaty, they may land on you to take a little sip in order to get their salts,” she said. This year, Phipps added something new to the exhibit-a case which displays the life stages of the beautiful-winged creatures. “Visitors can enjoy watching pupas emerge,” Burke said.
The Butterfly Forest is just another part of the Phipps experience that people of all ages seem to enjoy. “Each year it’s exciting watching the Butterfly Forest develop and come to life. First there are the beautiful plants and then you add the butterflies.
It really is a magical experience,” said Burke. To learn more about visiting Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, from purchasing tickets, to prices, hours and more, visit their website at https://www.phipps.
conservatory.org. The display will be open through Sept.
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