Phipps' annual orchid, bonsai show is 'Out of This World'

It’s “all systems go” as Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens prepares for takeoff to a new galaxy of gardens that are truly “Out of This World” in its annual Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show opening Jan. 18.

Phipps’ “Guardians of the Galaxy” (the show’s designers) include Jordyn Melino, associate director of exhibits; Julianna Razryadov, curator of horticulture; Katie Schuller, orchid manager, and Kevin Haughey, bonsai specialist.

The team combined the playfulness of star-shaped orchids and foliage plants with cosmic-sounding names — like the “Milky Way” aspidistra in the Sunken Garden featuring green leaves with white spots resembling stars — to carry out the outer space-based theme.

“So many of the orchids just look like alien flowers; they’re so unique,” says Melino, “and the bonsai remind us of a much smaller world. The theme gives us a chance to be creative with the way we display the orchids.”

Plants and a planet

Their creativity is exhibited in a big way in the Palm Court with a giant 6-foot-wide “planet” that greets visitors as they start their show tour. The planetary topiary sphere hangs above a sky of yellow, star-shaped orchids and dark foliage, with Phalaenopsis orchids and bromeliads creating a ring around the planet.

In the side beds, a grouping of yellow Kokedama — a form of Japanese garden art in which orchids are grown in a ball of moss wrapped in string — represents a shower of stars.

Also on display are selections from Phipps’ Barbara Tisherman Slipper Orchid Collection, curated in association with the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania. Phipps first honored the renowned prized orchid grower from Squirrel Hill when it launched the signature collection in her name in 2013.

In the Sunken Garden, Indian mast trees planted in the beds resemble rockets, showcased by a 7-foot-tall orchid rocket.

Orchid Room houses permanent collection

Melino reminds visitors that the Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show is smaller in size compared to seasonal flower shows at the Victorian glasshouse. This display is confined to the Palm Court, Serpentine Room and Sunken Garden, with additional orchids from Phipps’ permanent display — many of which will be in full bloom — in the Orchid Room.

More than 75 varieties of orchids are featured in the “Out of This World” exhibit, in addition to some 25 specialty plants in the permanent display.

The Serpentine Room is where visitors will find Phipps’ tropical bonsai collection during the show. Melino says this is the one chance for the decades-old bonsai plants to shine; they will spend the rest of the year being cared for in Phipps’ greenhouses.

A selected few of the miniature trees will be displayed against white backdrops to show off their unique trunk and root formations. Interactive tables will provide additional insight into mosses, ferns and Kusamono, which are Japanese botanical art-inspired miniature potted plant arrangements.

‘Aliens’ in the Orchid Room

And it wouldn’t be an outer-space themed show without a close encounter with aliens – in the form of Longfellows, glass stick figures made by Hans Godo Fräbel that are part of Phipps’ permanent glass art installation in the Orchid Room.

“We are specially highlighting them during this show with colorful up-lights, to show off their otherworldly form,” Melino says. “These figures have been part of our collection since 2009.”

Also in the Orchid Room, blooming just in time for the show, will be Phipps’ Frank Sarris Orchid, named in honor of the late founder of Pittsburgh-based Sarris Candies. The Phalaenopsis orchid is white with red and pink candy stripes and can be found beside a plaque about Sarris, a former trustee and benefactor of Phipps.

‘Tropical Sundays’

To help brighten up Pittsburgh’s wintry gray days, Phipps is offering half-off admission during “Tropical Sundays” in February for those who wear their tropical shirts to the show.

Also, more than a dozen public programs, included free with admission, will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays on topics related to the care and appreciation of orchids and bonsai. Program topics and dates are available on Phipps’ website.