Two piers of landscape ideas in San Francisco; It's the annual landscape show, April 17 to 21

Sunset, April, 1991

Educational and entertaining, the San Francisco Landscape Show brings together an extraordinary array of gardening ideas, from very practical to very whimsical, that visitors can transplant to home gardens.

The sixth annual event to be held April 17 through 21 at Fort Mason Center's Herbst and Festival pavilions (formerly piers 2 and 3) will feature dream gardens designed for northern California celebrities.

Stars for the Parks is the theme. Well known personalities-film producer George Lucas, singer Johnny Mathis, actor Robin Williams, and columnist Herb Caen, among others-inspired gardens by local landscape professionals. The Festival Pavilion will be primarily devoted to the 27 featured gardens, with spacious displays of mature plants, colorful flowers, and handsome garden structures. Other Festival Pavilion attractions include doorway gardens designed by local garden clubs, horticultural displays, and hourly lectures and demonstrations. With continued drought threatening gardening in California, water conservation is a primary focus in the Greenbelt and Garden Technology sections, in Herbst Pavilion. Here, nurseries and nonprofit groups demonstrate ways to design, plant, and maintain gardens using less water. The more than 50 vendors in the Marketplace area, previously divided between the two piers, now exhibit together in Herbst Pavilion. Besides plants and seeds, their offerings include books, art, pottery, garden furniture, and garden tools. There's also a gourmet cafe in each pavilion. Sponsored by Friends of Recreation and Parks, the show has to date raised more than half a million dollars to fund projects in San Francisco's neighborhood parks. Hours are 10 to 6 Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday and 10 to 9 Thursday and Friday. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $1 for ages 6 through 12 if accompanied by an adult; for group rates, call (415) 221-1310.

If you drive, there's continual free shuttle service from the Crissy Field parking lot. For details on Muni buses that stop near the pier, call 673-6864.

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