Sustainability took center stage at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. This year's show highlighted sustainable plantings that included natives, succulents, and self-contained growing systems. Lest you think that sustainable plantings = boring plantings, rest assured that being resource-wise has never been so chic.
This award-winning display featured native grasses, a living roof, and metallic multi-purpose animals. You'll notice an owl perched atop a porch covering. Living or "green" roofs are great for gardeners with small spaces. Not only does it extend square footage for growing, but it is a great way to use low-water plantings to insulate the structure below.
The metallic armadillo, which was part of the same exhibit, doubled as a grill.
Succulents looked positively pre-historic in scale and appearance.
Though tradition has often suggested that large plants should be highlighted as specimens in the landscape, displays like these successfully group them together for major impact.
And this year's must-have hardscape item is ideal for plantings like these. Isn't he great? I mean, who doesn't want a 30-foot turquoise dinosaur in their backyard?