Treemendous Autumn Leaves

If you’re like all of us here at the Parks Conservancy, you cannot get enough of autumn leaves. Right now we’re all wrapped up in the sights, smells and sounds of the season, the bursts of autumn awesome before we settle in for the winter.

What does fall in parks look like to you? We’re asking folks to share their best foliage photos here on our website and on the social platform of their choice with the hashtags #unbeLEAFable #pittsburghparks. Share your best shot and check out ones that have been shared so far:

Photo by Scott Roller, Arsenal Park

Photo by Bonnie West

Photo by Michelle Weaber

Photo by Stephen Harvan

Photo by Melissa McMasters, Highland Park

Photo by Rosie Wise, Frick Park

What are you waiting for? Get out and get snapping before fall makes like a tree and, well, you know…

Submit your fall photos here!

What’s in Bloom – May 2013

Seems like we skipped over spring and went straight into summer. That’s okay, it just means it’s time for some late spring/early summer blooms! Check out what our horticulturist, Angea Yuele, and gardener, Jaclyn Bruschi, have been up to in our May 2013 What’s in Bloom.

Highland Park Entry Garden

Catmint ‘Six Hills Giant’

Baptisia

Blue Starflower

Columbine

Dianthus ‘Zing’

Iris Species

Iris ‘Cranberry Crush’

Peony ‘Edulis Superba’

Peony ‘Fairbanks’

Salvia ‘Eastfriesland’

Mellon Park Walled Garden

Dianthus ‘Firewitch’

Hardy Geranium ‘Brookside’

Peony ‘Festiva Mazima’

Rhododendron ‘Album’

Riverview Park Chapel Shelter

Golden Alexanders

Heirloom Purple Iris

Salvia ‘May Night’

Schenley Plaza

Salvia ‘May Night’

Yarrow ‘Paprika’

Now that you feel fully inspired to go frolicking amongst the flowers in Pittsburgh’s gardens, check out what else we’ve been up to in our new spring 2013 newsletter, the Voice.

What’s in Bloom – April 2013

Winter may be holding on with every last breath, but signs of spring are popping up all over Pittsburgh’s parks. It’s time for our monthly What’s in Bloom series showcasing the park’s seasonal gardens. Bursts of color are polka-dotting the landscape and our horticulturist, Angela Yuele, has captured every bountiful bloom.

Highland Park Entry Garden

Daffodils and Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)

Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa)

Hyacinth ‘Jan Bos’

Mellon Park Walled Garden

Daffodil ‘Tete-a-Tete’

Lenten rose (Heleborus orientalis)

Riverview Park

Daffodil species

Daffodil ‘Ice Follies’ at the Riverview Park Chapel Shelter

Magnolia blooming

Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center

Blue hyacinth and pink tulips

Schenley Plaza

Daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths

Daffodils

Mixed daffodils

Species tulip ‘Lady Jane’ and white daffodils

Various daffodils

We’re always looking for help with our gardening projects. Our seasonal weeding Tuesdays at Mellon Park Walled Garden kick-off on May 14 and Weeding Wednesdays at Highland Park Entry Garden begin May 1. For more information, visit our Horticultural Volunteer Activities page or email volunteer@pittsburghparks.org.

Learn more about The Daffodil Project and how you can help plant new bulbs throughout the regional parks.

What’s in Bloom – September 2012

Fall is coaxing its way in and football weather is upon us. The annual closet exchange from breezy summer clothes to cozy winter attire is underway and leaf-peepers have their cameras on deck anticipating the gold and crimson hues of a Pittsburgh autumn. Don’t worry, there will be an abundance of beautiful fall photos throughout the season, but in the meantime, enjoy some final splashes of pinks, purples and greens in our September What’s in Bloom.

Highland Park Entry Garden

Anemone (anemone x hybrida) ‘Honorine Jobert’

Aster & Helianthus

Aster & Summer Annuals

Flower Sage (salvia nemerosa) reblooming

New England Aster (aster nova-angliae)

Rubbeckia ‘Herbstsonne’

Riverview Visitor Center

New Guinea Impatiens & Canna Lily

Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center

Pink Begonia

Pink Begonia layered in front of more Pink Begonia ‘Dragon Wings’ & Euphorbia ‘Diamond Forst’ planted in the pots.

More layers of Pink Begonia & Euphorbia

Mellon Park Walled Garden

Anemone (anemone x hybrida) ‘Honorine Jobert’

Begonia, Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’ & Angelonia

Keep up with the ever-changing color palette of Pittsburgh parks by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. If social media’s not your cup of tea, be sure to sign up for our e-news to stay up-to-date on all the exciting things happening at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. We have some new ideas and projects swirling around and you won’t want to miss out!

What’s in Bloom – August 2012

When did it get to be August already? Summer may be flying by and have you itching for fall colors, but there are still plenty of summer flowers blossoming. Check out what’s in bloom in Pittsburgh’s parks this August!

Riverview Chapel Shelter

Summer Annuals (dusty miller, vinca, blue salvia, red celosia, pennisetum grass)

Summer Annuals (profusion zinnia mix, marigold mix, celosia, blue salvia, pink begonia)

Highland Park Entry Garden

Aster (aster nova-angliae)

Black-Eyed Susan (rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’)

Canna Lily (canna species)

Hardy Sunflower (helianthus x multiflorus ‘Meteor’)

Hardy Sunflower (Helianthus species)

Schenley Plaza

Summer Annuals (banana tree, mixed celosia)

Summer Annuals (caladium ‘Arron’ and ‘Carolyn Warton’)

Summer Annuals (dragon wing begonia, golden coleus)

Summer Annuals (pink begonia, vanilla marigold)

Summer Annuals (pink geranium, white alyssum)

Summer Annuals (red salvia, marigold, blue lobelia)

Summer Annuals (sweet potato vine, zinnia, croton)

Mellon Park Walled Garden

Daylily (hemorocallis ‘Happy Returns’)

Salvia (salvia nemerosa ‘Eastfriesland’)

Liriope (liriope muscari)

If you’re like us and can’t imagine Pittsburgh’s breathtaking park gardens without these vibrant bursts of plants and flowers, consider giving a gift to support park restoration. If you’d rather just get down and dig in the dirt yourself, we’re always looking for volunteers!