Living Bookstore at the San Francisco Botanical Garden

A bold, whimsical site greets visitors at the entrance to San Francisco's botanical gardens - a living gift shop!

Manager Dennis Guttman envisioned a vertical garden on the outside, to blend the structure's functionality with the park's world-renowned beauty. He reached out to Plants On Walls, and decided on a system of Florafelt Pocket Panels.

All told, 250 unique species make the gift shop a tantalizing glimpse of what waits just beyond the gates.

The Florafelt Pocket Panels turned the building into its own attraction and the bookstore has never been busier. Dennis notes how sales far exceed goals since since installation. Intrigued by the unique beauty, visitors surround the shop and eventually step inside.

Originally planted by volunteer Steph Kantorski, other volunteers now happily care for the garden. They monitor and adjust, moving and rearranging for the best results. The pockets make it easy to perfect the composition and turn the garden into an interactive learning experience.

Garden botanists selected a variety of plants, including many unique grasses, for the areas where bright light and shade dominate at different times. For the full sun-facing section, succulents and perennials enjoy their perfect environment.

The Florafelt Pockets Panels are mounted with little more than their hanging tabs. Entirely self-watering with a single drip irrigation line, the excess drains to a tray.

You can see the living gift shop at the main entrance to the San Francisco Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park.