Mary L. Harden Designs

Announcing the publication of Buzz, the first in a series of books documenting the exhibits by Mary L. Harden and students of the Mary L. Harden School of Botanical Illustration.

Buzz - Plants & Bee Pollinators retails for $20

  from

San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum, Watercolors of the Master Artists.

This full color book is available for purchase at the Aboretum Bookstore for $16.99 plus tax.

Several years ago Barbara Pitschel, former Head Librarian, suggested an exhibit highlighting iconic, special, or rare plants in the collection to benefit the Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture.

After studying the plants and many garden walks later, thirty beautiful watercolors grace the walls of the library in an exuberant exhibit that shows off the plants natural beauty. Created by the Master Artists in my botanical illurtration program, each illustration reveals the plant as it truly exists without plasticising or beautifying the holes, rips, insect bites, dried blossoms, and empty seed pods.

To honor Barbara's many years of service and to remember her devotion, we dedicate this exhibit to her memory.