THE LOS ANGELES GARDEN SHOW : Last Chance to Savor Garden Show’s Delights

This is the last day to see the remarkable, reinvented Los Angeles Garden Show, at the Arboretum in Arcadia, before they begin selling off the plants and props used in the displays. Sponsored by Robinsons-May and the Los Angeles Times to benefit the Arboretum, the show will open at 9 a.m. today and close at 5 p.m.

Those who have been to the show and admired a particular plant or prop--perhaps some of the handsome paving or furniture used to make the display gardens--can buy these garden goodies during a “selloff” on Monday, beginning at 10 a.m. It will be a casual affair, as workman dismantle the show; make your purchases directly from the exhibitors before they cart them away. Regular Arboretum admission applies.

Those who haven’t visited yet are missing what is bound to become the stellar event in Southern California’s gardening year. The display gardens are full of interesting plants and unusual materials, all used in innovative ways.

Be sure to see the stunning new paving tiles by Cloverleaf Stone-Guild in the Edwardian garden by Richard Fisher’s Toyon Design, or the mosaic spheres by sculptor Dan Collins in the garden by designer Mayita Dinos, who worked with third- and fourth-graders who came up with something unexpected from children.

And don’t miss the impressive optical illusion created by Mark Odell of OPI International in a garden where huge picture frames and Italian pedestals grow smaller and smaller to create a dramatic false perspective. Or the clever living carpet in the garden under one of the arboretum’s grand oaks by Sassafras Nursery, where complicated Irish moss patterns are set into a background of dichondra.

The “Celebrity Rose Gallery” under one of the many pavilions contains some highly imaginative floral arrangements that honor celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Nancy Reagan. The bouquet saluting Whoopi Goldberg, by Wayne Woods, is especially stunning.

Robinsons-May’s “Tablescapes,” displayed in 16 small pavilions near the entrance to the show, are much more than that--they’re complete little rooms, furnished with delightful antiques and accessories.

All sorts of interesting plants and accessories are for sale at “The Plant Market” and “Marketplace,” food is plentiful and there is a full schedule of speakers and demonstration today, including seminars by Times garden and food writers. In the afternoon there is a Sunday Fashion Brunch, costing $30.

The Los Angeles Garden Show is being held at The Arboretum of Los Angeles County, 301 N. Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia, just off the 210 Freeway (take the Baldwin Avenue exit). Tickets are $6 at the gate. Children 7 and under are free. For event and parking information, call 1 (800) EVENT-06.