Phipps Spring Flower Show 2013- Secret Garden

Entrance into the Serpentine Garden

I feel ashamed how long it has been since I last posted a new blog entry but that is what happens when you are finishing up the last semester of a doctoral program. So this post is a little late since the the Spring Flower Show finished over a month ago and the Summer Flower Show is now in full bloom.

Garden gate in the Palm Court

Broderie Room

The theme for the 2013 Phipps Spring Flower Show was the Secret Garden, based on the beloved book. I admit I haven't read the book but I have seen the movie and have always wanted to have my own secret garden someday. I want my own small space of organized chaos full of flowers, trees and garden art to have in my future home.

Water spicket in the edible garden

Topiaries and winding path

Overall the spring flower show was a nice relaxing stroll for the afternoon, giving me a small sense of escape from my busy schedule. The flowers were pretty typical of the spring flower shows in the past with the regular display of tulips. But it is hard to feel disappointed when seeing an array of such cheery flowers.

Orange tulips, one of my favorites

Red tulips

I love the orange flowers with the ivy against the brick wall

goddess sculpture

Hopefully you enjoyed these photos, sorry it wasn't very informative but I will have more up soon!

Yellow Daylilies

Yellow Daylilies

So I have started work at Children's Hospital, one reason why I haven't blogged in awhile, and I noticed that surrounding the main entrance are all of these beautiful yellow daylilies. Planted as a serpentine border to the lawn against a backdrop of green plants these flowers bring a sense of cheerfulness as you enter the building.

Outside of Children's Hospital.

Walking throughout the city I noticed that yellow daylilies are everywhere; it seems these perennials are the bloom of choice for early summer. They are planted outside of churches, banks, apartment buildings and all over Pitt's campus.
Here are some quick pictures I took on my iPhone as I have walked  around town.

Outisde of Hillman Library

Lining the border of a driveway of an apartment complex on my street. 

Daylilies among different types of bushes; wall outside of the Oakland UCP.

It will be interesting to see if the trends in flowers I have noticed this year will carry over to the next or if like fashion flowers go in and out of style.

What flowers have you noticed around your neighbor or city?

Spring Around The World: Phipps Flower Show 2012

Last week I visited the Spring Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory where the theme was a Trip around the World. Each room depicted a different country showcasing spring flowers and  highlighting some unique pieces of each culture.

Flags were displayed in the Palm Court when you first walked in showing some of the countries included in the flower show.

 A huge Dutch tulip display with a moving windmill was one of my favorite rooms due to the variety of tulips and other flowers included. Of course my favorites were the orange tulips which I took many pictures of, one of which you can see below.

 

Dutch Display

Pretty Pink Tulips

Triumph Tulip in orange. Tulipa. 'Anne Schilder'

 A close second favorite was the Great Britain display.It was set up in the Sunken Garden ans included a British red phone booth filled with white flowers and the Union Jack depicted by red, white and blue blooms.

Red phone booth filled with white snapdragons and surrounded by tulips.

I like the contrast of the white delicate tulips against the red frame of the booth.

One half of the Union Jack created by the flowers in the sunken garden. 

France was also represented during the Spring Flower Show. Of course the display was in none other than the Broderie Room which is the wedding or love room at Phipps Conservatory.

The Broderie Room was filled with pink, white and green flowers.

Little touches like this bike were placed around the room to feel like you were outside in Paris.

Official wishing well.

Variety of plants and flowers filled the bed along the back wall.

 Other countries such as Greece, China and the Polynesia Islands were also represented in the exhibit along with the permanent India display and Orchid room. Pictures from the rest of the rooms will be up soon but since this post is getting long I will end it now.

The show closes soon so hopefully you will be able to go and see it and experience all the wonderful spring flowers.

Flowers of Costa Rica

I recently came back from a trip to Costa Rica where I visited my cousin and great friend Lindsey. While I was there I couldn't help but notice, and take pictures of, all the wonderful flowers and plants that surrounded the countryside.  Although I saw some old favorites like giant hydrangeas, I was delighted by all the new flora I saw on the volcanic mountainside of the rural community where I was staying.
Below are some pictures a little information about some new favorites I discovered. For a complete look of my pictures check out my facebook album ( http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100249691258653.2574760.14215383&l=80a0de8bbc&type=1 ).

Heliconia pendula 

Above and Below: The heliconia or false bird-of-paradise is a common flowering plant in Central America. It can also be found in the islands of the Pacific and Indonesia. These pictures were both taken at La Paz Waterfall Gardens where a variety of plants and animals of Costa Rica can be found along with gorgeous waterfalls.

Heliconia latispatha

Orange Crocosmia

Above: Fields of this beautiful orange flower grow wild all over the countryside and area great addition to any bouquet or floral arrangement. Below: This purple flower grew all over the trees
right outside of the house. I can't find the name of it anywhere but learned that it attracts hummingbirds. If anyone knows the name of this beautiful flowering tree please let me know!

Purple hummingbird flower

Canna lily

Above: A field of tall orange canna lilies on the hillside of La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This not a true lily but is in the Cannaceae family. The first time I saw this flower was at Longwood gardens in the rainbow walk and instantly fell in love with them. When I saw this abundance of fiery flora I knew I had to take a picture and try to capture the beauty to share with others.


What are some unique flowers or plants that you have seen while traveling?