When we thinks of flowers, the season spring is what we usually think of first. Phipps Conservatory’s Fall Flower Show proved that fall is another season with beautiful flowers.
There are more than 5,000 chrysanthemums (more commonly known as mums) on display in the show. In 1940, the show was given the affectionate nickname, “Pittsburgh Mums” for its wide variety of mums on display.
The Fall Flower Show inhabits six of the 14 garden rooms in Phipps. Each has its own color scheme that prominently features mums and highlights fall. One of the rooms displays the thirteen different classes of mums that can be seen throughout the show. Who knew that there was more than one kind of mum? For visitors’ benefit a sign is visible next to each type of mum bearing its name.
Red, orange and yellow flowers come together to create vibrant fall scenes. One of the rooms features two scarecrows amidst pumpkins and mums. This room is centered on a large pond, which reflects the architecture of the glass ceiling above.
Another of the rooms allows you to walk along a winding brick pathway lined with fall colored mums. The rooms make a person feel as if autumn is a beautiful and magical season.
The first Fall Flower Show was hosted in 1893 and the tradition has carried on ever since. In each fall room a sign can be found providing visitors with a glimpse of Phipps Conservatory’s history. The images are from Carnegie Library archives and depict important moments throughout Phipps’ timeline. The most memorable sign tells the story of a strong windstorm in 1937 that damaged the conservatory and forced them to close for 20 months. Luckily, Phipps was able to reopen right in time for the 1938 Fall Flower Show.
Another interesting aspect of the Fall Flower Show was the Chihuly blown glass art on display. The Chihuly exhibition at Phipps ran from May 10, 2007 to February 24, 2008. After the public’s love for the artwork Phipps was able to secure a few pieces to remain on display. There are approximately seven pieces of blown glass scattered throughout the flowers. Some of the glass shapes resemble flowers and the bright colors contrast beautifully with all the green leaves. The first one you see in Phipps, however, is a large yellow-green, blue, and orange Chihuly chandelier hanging from the ceiling toward the front, welcoming you to Phipps. Another memorable Chihuly piece is the three bowl-like figurines that have curves reminiscent of flower petals.
Make sure to visit the Winter Flower Show before Christmas break, which opens on November 25. The 14 rooms of flowers are beautiful and can be a perfect stress reliever for school.