Practical to fantastical, ideas for gardeners at San Francisco's landscape show

Sunset, April, 1988

Practical to fantastical, ideas for gardeners at San Francisco's landscape show

Gardens to inspire both novice and experienced horticulturists are part of the third annual San Francisco Landscape Garden Show. This year's event, April 13 through 17 at Fort Mason Center's Pier 3, features 25 designs, with particular emphasis on small-space gardening.

Using large plants and an extensive assortment of construction materials, local landscape professionals create an extraordinary array of practical and fantasy gardens, all installed in an enclosed building overlooking the bay. Educational as well as entertaining, the show offers a host of garden ideas visitors can transplant to their own gardens.

Look for an exhibition of drawings by American and English landscape designers Beatrix Farrand and Gertrude Jekyll. Landscape architecture professor Michael Laurie is setting up this exhibit, on loan from UC Berkeley.

Other attractions include 40 children's miniature gardens, the result of a citywide competition for third- through sixth-graders; talks and demonstrations by garden experts; a garden doctor to answer questions about plants; exhibits by horticultural organizations and commercial growers; and a Garden Marketplace, selling tools and other garden wares. Docent-led tours run daily at 3 P.M. From 4 to 6 on the last day, plants from the display gardens will be offered for sale.

Sponsored by the Friends of Recreation and Parks, the landscape show supports San Francisco parks and recreation areas. It's open from 10 to 6 Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 to 9 Thursday and Friday. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 seniors, free for ages 12 and under with an adult; call (415) 221-1310 for group rates. Tickets are sold at the door.

The pier can be reached by Muni buses 20, 22, 28, 42, and 47. If you drive, there's also free weekday shuttle service from the Marina Green, and on weekends free shuttle service from Crissy Field parking lots. This show strains Fort Mason's own parking.

Photo: Convincing-looking Mayan ruin was fantastical setting for last year's award-winning garden, a simulated tropical rain forest

Photo: Goatskin gloves, Panama hats, and other gardeners' aids are for sale at show's Garden Marketplace

Photo: Structures and plants in developed displays such as this patio garden can suggest many practical ideas to try at home