Visting the Phipps Conservatory Part 4

Continuing with photos of our visit to the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, this is the fourth post in the series on this world-class conservatory.  You can find my previous posts on the Phipps beginning with Part 1 here.

Now on to the Tropical Forest India exhibit opened in 2012 in a large newer space at the rear of the main buildings.  The exhibit is based on the Western Ghat region of India which added a bit of interest since it mirrors places I am more familiar with such as the jungles of central Mexico.

We entered at the top with views of the tree canopy.  The scale of this conservatory is enormous.

These rocks seem more like Disney World than a realistic garden exhibit.

Turns out the plants aren't all from India.

The Strelitzia was a show stopper though.

Glass-walled koi pond beneath the stairs

Outside the Tropical Forest Conservatory is the Center for Sustainable Landscapes and one of the greenest buildings in the world having been awarded LEED Platinum status.  This entrance is the top of the building with meeting rooms and offices on the levels below.

This view looks back at the Tropical Forest Exhibit building on the right and greenhouses on the left.  There are gardens on the roof.

Panicum 'Heavy Metal' grasses were standing up under the snow and wintry weather.

This garden is on the roof of the center.

An outdoor meeting area near the Tropical Forest conservatory.

The building to the left is the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh and one of the tallest Gothic-styled buildings in the world.  The building houses classrooms, labs, and offices for the university.

A look back at the building housing the Tropical Forest exhibit.

Views from the roof garden.  This area is southeast of downtown Pittsburgh and the taller buildings of the city skyline are well in the background.

Back inside we headed to the Fern Room with magnificent tree ferns reaching to the top.

Loved the texture on this Crocodile Fern.

Staghorn ferns in a hanging basket is a bit different from the typical wood plank display.





We also took time for a detailed look at the beautiful structure of the buildings.

The Stove Room featured plants very familiar to me as these are outdoor plants in South Texas (except possibly this winter).   This Stove Room is used as a Butterfly Exhibit during the summer.

I just loved these blooming coleus featured throughout the conservatory.  I don't let mine bloom usually because it depletes the foliage.

Pink Firespike and Phillipine Violet are plants I grow in my garden.

Unlike my own garden the plantings here are quite dense.

It's fun to revisit through these photos when it's cold and gray outside.

Pentas are a common garden plant in south Texas, mine have not survived our exceptionally cold winter.

This Rusellia may need more sun to bloom.

Pink Shrimp plant is a favorite in San Antonio.

Chenille plants

Glass pieces by local artists were on display throughout the conservatory.



Some plant combinations were very familiar.  I believe I grow every plant in this photo.

More of the Chihuly art glass pieces which are part of the permanent collection at the Phipps.  

I have one more post from the Phipps Conservatory which will be on the Orchid Room and I'm saving that one for Valentine's Day next week.