©Jude Parkinson-Morgan
The APLD “Ask a Designer” display garden and advice booth marks its third year at the 2016 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show with “Lawn—Long Ago”, a demonstration of the many options to re-imagine your garden without a thirsty cool season lawn.
The garden invites visitors with a cozy sitting area, plants to screen out the street, a vertical edible garden, rolling lawn alternatives, (including low-water use turf), and vibrant planters filled with low water use plants create an engaging and useful entrance.
©Jude Parkinson-Morgan
In addition to the welcoming and functional space, our members are on hand to advise show-goers about incorporating watershed-friendly options into their own low-water use garden, with handouts, plant lists, and other resources. Consultation sessions the affordable price of 30 minutes for $30 are intended to make personalized advice and resources available to home gardeners who might not otherwise have access to a professional design process. There are still some spaces available for consultation appointments here.
To see a complete list of plants featured in the garden, you may download our garden information sheets here:
Lawn—Long Ago is made possible by the contributions of many individuals:
©Maureen Decombe
Lawn—Long Ago designer Michael Tebb Design, Contractor License#487252
Diane Goldsmith/ Square Moon
Garden Succulent Sculpture with photos by Lucy Beck
Frame by Latticestix
Jude Parkinson-Morgan – Photographs
©Maureen Decombe
Mulch and Stones were provided by APLD CA Gold Sponsor, Lyngso Garden Materials.
Lighting provided by FX Luminaire, an APLD CA Silver Sponsor.
Low-water turf blends and Kurapia groundcover were provided by Delta Bluegrass Co., an APLD CA Silver Sponsor.
Plants were contributed by the Sunset Western Garden Collection, an APLD CA Bronze Sponsor.
The APLD Display garden includes plants selected particularly for the San Francisco Bay Area
Sunset Western Garden Collection: These planters include exceptional plants selected by Sunset Gardens. We showcase dark green Mahonia ‘Soft Caress,’ glowing Nandina ‘Lemon Lime,’ wispy Lomandra ‘Platinum Beauty,’ and compact and richly toned Loropetalum ‘Purple Pixie.’
‘Lawn Alternatives’ Collection from Delta Bluegrass Co.: Five different California native grasses create a meadow-like appearance—a low-water ‘no mow’ look. ‘Kurapia’, in sod form, is new to the market and can be used as a lawn replacement or as a small green accent.
Natives Collection: The featured plants include two classic California natives. The first group, Ceanothus, is versatile with heights ranging from low, spreading groundcovers to tall, dense shrubs. The second group features the Manzanitas. This is a textural feast including the low- growing Arctostaphylos ‘Emerald Carpet’ and the impressive Arctostaphylos ‘Dr. Hurd’ with its sculptural red bark. Toss in some sages and currants and we’ve set the stage for a bird and bee block party.
APLD Bay Area Tried and True Collection: Admire selections by APLD designers that are valued for their long lasting beauty and success in Bay Area gardens. We feature Lomandra ‘Breeze’, Rhaphiolepis umbellata ‘Minor’, Olea europaea ‘Montra’, Dymondia margaritae, Callistemon ‘Little John’, Leucadendron ‘Maui Sunset,’ Salvia leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’, Calylophus selections, Euonymus japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ and ‘Green Spires.’
Can’t make it to the 2016 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, but still need advice on your garden? Our Find a Designer tool will help you identify the right designer for your desired garden style. Click here to get started.
