Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Recently while visiting my friend Margot in Pittsburgh, I had a chance to go to the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden. If you ever go to Pittsburgh, make sure that this wonderful garden on your to see list. You will not regret it! The Conservatory, which was founded in 1893, has several rooms with lush plants that take you from the tropics to the rain forest; with orchids and ferns to an incredible dahlia garden outside, the colors and textures of the plants will stun you. Not only were the flowers of the dahlias huge, the plants were so large they had to be staked. So here are a few pictures of this amazing place.

Sometimes the gargoyles are obvious; sometimes you have to look for them.

The sculptures give bright color amongst the green plantings.

There is an entire room of ferns. This picture shows just how varied ferns can be.

I can see a face in this orchid!

My feet aren't small enough to fit into these dazzling lady slippers.

Here is a wall of succulents.



These dahlias are almost as tall as me.

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Margot enjoys a break in the tropics.

This knot garden is far tidier than anything I have ever planted.