By Julie Chai, Sunset associate garden editor

For more than two decades, the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show has been a place for gardeners to check out the latest garden design trends, shop for new plants, and commune with other garden fanatics.

So many of us were devastated earlier this year when show owner Duane Kelly announced that he was retiring, and hoped to find someone to take over the show—but would close the show if he didn't. Over the past few months he'd gotten lots of interest, but was holding out for someone with his level of integrity (which is astoundingly high) and commitment to maintaining and improving the show's quality. As of opening day yesterday, he hadn't found the right buyer to pass the torch to, so it was with a mix of delight about the show's new location, and sadness about the event's ending, that we took in the magical garden displays for what we thought would be the last time.

Then last night at a garden writers' reception, Duane announced that he'd confirmed a buyer! We were thrilled at the news, and even more thrilled when we learned that the buyers have already put in place a steering committee of Bay area design superstars Davis Dalbok of Living Green, Tim O'Shea of Greenworks, Robin Stockwell of Succulent Gardens, and contractor Mike Boss of Rock & Rose Landscapes. Sunset has had the pleasure of working with all of them over the years, and know they'll take the event to a whole new level. We're already looking forward to next year's show...