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Another great annual return to the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show! Came home with two new orchids… the very ones I wanted to buy last year but didn’t! Ah, orchid closure. Well, almost. There was a peachy, pinky cousin of these two that I had to leave behind until next year.


Masdevallia (veitchiana ‘Pacific Giant’ x ‘veitchiana ‘Bolin’)


Masdevallia (Pixie Lavender ‘Fine’ x FalconSunrise ‘Scarlet’)

Of the display gardens at this year’s show, the Zen Spa Garden was the most impressive (to me). Not only was it a welcome drop of Zen in a sea of Cow Palace excitement, but unlike many show gardens, this is one you would actually install in a real backyard here on planet Earth. Derviss + Chavez did a fabulous job and it was really interesting watching the project’s progress on Derviss’ blog.

The crowds weren’t tooooooooooo bad for a Friday, but I still made a mental note to save the display gardens for last next year. There’s nothing more frustrating than visiting an an exhibit that can only be glimpsed through a wall of people. Yes, Monterey Bay Aquarium, I’m talking about you too. Oh, to be able to vaporize peop… um… nevermind.

My new plan of attack will be to hit the vendors/seminars for a bit upon arrival, then have lunch, then hit the vendors/seminars some more, and finally… enjoy the gardens at a leisurely pace once the crowds begin to wane. Perhaps it’ll be best to take a break for chocolate and coffee as well.

I always end up with sensory overload at the end of my Show visit, but it’s a good kind of sensory overload… the kind that later inspires new touches in my own garden. And new orchids on my kitchen windowsill.

SLIDESHOW: Click slideshow below to launch.

VIDEO SLIDESHOW– stills and a couple video clips to music (takes awhile to download)

Watch the video

Music: Demolition Man by The Police

It’s hard to believe the Cow Palace might be torn down soon. For whatever it’s worth, you can go to SaveTheCowPalace.com and sign the online petition. I did.