Countdown to the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show!

San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, 2007

As is the case every year at this time, the excitement is building for garden lovers near and far! We're less than one month away and counting the days til the gates of the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show open on March 24, 2010.

sffgs, 2007

Five days of garden immersion including inspirational design (25 amazing display gardens), fascinating learning (over 70 free and incredible seminars taught by experts!), gorgeous plants and everything garden (over 200 exhibitors).

sffgs, 2007

As a landscape designer and environmental horticulturalist it is one of the most inspirational and anticipated events of the year, and for me, was one of the powerful and delightful influences that drew me to this second career. Being a San Francisco native, I've always been so proud to have a show like this right here in the Bay Area.

sffgs, 2007

If you've never been, I encourage you to come to this year's show!
The theme is "Gardens for the Future" and the subject of sustainability will pervade. If past shows are any indication, so will innovation and creativity. Come and learn the latest about green solutions and what it means in the landscape.

sffgs, 2009

This year the show has been getting lots of social media attention with their presence on Facebook, Twitter, and many garden blogs. You can follow the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show on Facebook for the latest up to date and background news on the show, as well as the Show website.

sffgs, 2004

One of the most enthralling things each year is the display gardens. This part of the show has always captured me as I've 'grown up' as a garden designer, and I consistently walk away charged, excited and inspired from the creativity and beautiful solutions - honored to be part of a community of such talented and committed people. Looking forward to being a 'garden creator' at the show myself, I take my hat off to all those who have been and who are this time around. I can't wait to see what you've come up with for this year!

sffgs, 2004

Having experienced first hand being a part of a team to coordinate and build a few of these gardens, I can tell you that preparation takes place for many months, sometimes over a year before. After a concept has been born and accepted for one of these gardens, a team is pulled together to create the vision, work out the mechanics and logistics, and coordinate funds and donations to make it all happen. It is an incredible time, energy and financial commitment, but also can be very fulfilling.

sffgs, 2004

Much detailed project coordination is needed so that it all comes together like clockwork in the end, as the gardens must be built in a couple of days - features working, plants, boulders and structures in place and systems functioning so that it all stays alive and fresh for the 10 days before during and after the exhibit. It is a highly coordinated effort which involves the largest cranes and tractors to the most artistic and sensitive touch ...

sffgs, 2004

What goes on behind the scenes to build these gardens is quite amazing and mind boggling. I have often wished that people could see this aspect of the event... and was excited when this video came out.... its a short video of the incredible transformation that goes on each year in the 10 days before, during and after the show.

sffgs, 2004

Every day, all day long there are educational, fun Seminars to be taken in, given by experts in their field on a variety of garden subjects. From talents such as Bernard Trainor, a master of design, to Saxon Holt and John Greenlee (photographer and author of the 'American Meadow Garden'), to the unique and subtle experience of Yuki Nara speaking on Aesthetic Pruning of Japanese Maples.

There is Robin Stockwell and Debra Baldwin speaking at different times on Succulents, Alane Weber on Composting, Rosalind Creasy and Kathleen Brenzel both speaking at different times on Edible Landscaping, not to mention Keeyla Meadows on 'fearless' color in the garden, and so, so many fantastic others - I wish I had space to mention them all! See the Seminar schedule for details on each day's offerings and you can plan your day (at least tentatively) beforehand... of course you could easily and delightfully get side tracked by all there is to see and buy with the hundreds of juicy vendors that will be there.

sffgs, 2009

On all accounts, this year is gearing up to be stellar with amazing new features and vendors, and fantastic cost savings for tickets (now with one ticket getting you into all 5 days of the show)!

I'll be there for most of the show. Look forward to seeing you there!

sffgs, 2007