By Ellen Eason

The Inner Sunset bursts into color each spring as flowers and trees blossom in the parks, gardens and streets in vivid hues and gentle pastels.

A seasonal highlight is the Magnificent Magnolias celebration in the San Francisco Botanical Garden. More than 200 magnolia trees – including 63 different species – bloom in stages from January through March. For the latest bloom updates and a magnolia map, visit gggp.org/magnolias.

The month of March marks the return of the Botanical Garden’s “Bean Sprouts Family Days.” Kids dig, water, pick, build, explore and investigate in the Children’s Garden. Grab some garden tools at the welcome station, or bring your own, to enjoy hands-on activity stations and explore and tend to the garden. Programs are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon, March 3 through May 21. Learn more at gggp.org/beansprouts.

Nature lovers flock to the Japanese Tea Garden to appreciate the blooming cherry trees (sakura) and azaleas surrounding the ponds, winding paths and arched bridge beginning in late March. Take time to enjoy tea and light fare in the traditional tea house. The Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden and nearby Conservatory of Flowers make up the Gardens of Golden Gate Park. Admission to the gardens is free for San Francisco residents.

Curious about learning gardening techniques? Garden for the Environment is a public teaching garden that offers collaborative, hands-on programs. Workshops range from growing your own food to urban composting, beekeeping and more. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, volunteers gather to learn about sustainable gardening. You can also just visit and relax in the various environments including the victory garden, native backyard and shade garden. The garden is located at Seventh Avenue and Lawton Street. To learn more, visit gardenfortheenvironment.org.

Bring a little nature into your own home or garden! Sunset Mercantile Emporium at Irving and Eighth Avenue has a large selection of indoor plants to enliven your space. You can also stop by the Spring Garden Plant Sale at the Botanical Garden on March 14-15. For artful arrangements, look no further than French Florist.

French Florist’s Creations Brighten Rooms and Warm Hearts

Neighborhood newcomer French Florist has become known for its beautifully designed, high-quality floral arrangements since its opening last fall.

“We love working with our customers to put together unique creations to match their taste,” owner Sam Suri said. From its convenient 1127 Irving St. location, between 12th and Funston avenues, French Florist offers delivery services throughout San Francisco.

“Flowers are not a frivolous, every-once-in-awhile gesture. They are living things we all need all the time to feel lifted and alive,” Suri adds. “Flowers brighten rooms and warm hearts. They deepen our connections and make us all feel a little bit better. They fill a room with light, color and joy.”

Suri and his business partner, Yazeed AbouSaleh, both transitioned from corporate careers to launch their small business in Suri’s favorite city in the world. Born here and growing up in the East Bay, he long dreamed of returning to San Francisco.

“I’m so much happier selling flowers every day and helping spread love around the City,” Suri said. “Now, when people ask what I do, I like to say that I make people’s day for a living.”

The French Florist’s most popular orders are custom designs, reflecting the trust the community places in its care and craft. Among the signature creations, two arrangements stand out: French Kiss, which features white roses, pink cymbidium orchids and white hydrangeas for a romantic effect; and the elegant Dendrobium Orchid Vase, presented in a slim glass vase. Suri encourages customers to “stop by our boutique and talk to our designers about creating an arrangement that is entirely yours, for whatever occasion calls for it.”

Drawn to the culturally diverse Inner Sunset, the shop’s proprietors said they appreciate being in a community where residents often put down roots for years.

“Case-in-point – the flower shop that was here before us, The Flower Girl, was in business for 47 years, and we get many customers walking in our doors because they’ve known there was a flower shop here for their whole lives,” Suri noted.

“We feel so lucky to be in the business of flowers and to witness first hand their power of connection – for us, for our customers and for the people our customers care about,” Suri said.

Welcoming New Businesses

For an enticing selection of Nepalese and Indian dishes featuring distinctive spices and flavors, visit the recently opened Timur restaurant at 1386 Ninth Ave. near Judah Street. Diners may enjoy Kathmandu-style steamed dumplings and noodles, classic tandoori specials, hearty curries and flaky naans.

The new Tiny Haven Yoga at 211 Hugo St. at Third Avenue offers a tranquil space for students at various experience levels. Classes include Iyengar yoga, gentle yoga for seniors, candlelight yoga, sound bath yoga and healing yoga focused on back care.

Coffee Bar is planning to open soon at 350 Parnassus Ave. near Hallway Avenue in the former Starbucks location at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF.) The cafe will feature specialty drinks including a salted tahini caramel latte and horchata cold brew, as well as breakfast items such as Kahlua and banana scones and breakfast tacos.

The Inner Sunset Merchants’ Association is the voice of our neighborhood’s business community. We are an all-volunteer, nonprofit association committed to supporting, promoting and advocating for the needs of our local business community. We welcome new merchants into our neighborhood and work hard to drive new business to our growing community. Learn more at innersunsetmerchants.org.

Ellen Eason is a writer and Inner Sunset resident.