CURE FOR GROWING CONCERNS.

Byline: Karen Dardick Correspondent

If you're looking for ways to transform a boring garden into an exciting and enticing space, take a stroll around the Pasadena Showcase House of Design 2000, open through May 14.

This year, 16 display gardens are filled and overflowing with inspiring designs for ornamental pleasure gardens, whimsical fun spaces and practical and decorative edible gardens. In addition, there are many new and noteworthy plants among the thousands on display on the 1.7-acre site.

We're located in what is basically a Mediterranean climate, where vibrant colored flowers show up to best advantage in the hot sunlight. Yet many gardeners shy away from bold and brassy reds, oranges and yellows. If you're one of them, the Terrace Garden by Dan Gromer of Monrovia could change your mind. He's created an exciting, vibrant border garden designed for a shady northern exposure that features hot, hot colors.

``Red adds drama and excitement, and that's what this garden does,'' Gromer said. ``Scarlet, magenta, cerise and orange clamor for attention and can't be ignored.''

Nor would one want to ignore this strip packed with more than 200 plants, all with a punch. Bordered by red petunias and orange impatiens, the beds contain orange-toned Chinese lanterns, electric yellow and red striped cannas, cockscomb with burgundy foliage surrounding twin spur, and much more. There are fascinating foliage plants, like Formic ``Sundowner'' and ``Mario Maiden,'' oak leaf geranium, coral bells and the lime green leaves of strawflower. Be sure to see the ``Bird's Eye Bush,'' also nicknamed the ``Mouse Plant.'' The evergreen shrub is covered with bright yellow flowers. When its yellow petals fall, sepals turn vivid red. Soon after, five or more seedlike fruits emerge from the red center. When they turn jet black, imaginative people can see the form of eyes and big ears of a mouse.

A large raised planter directly across from Gromer's garden provides a cooling motif. Designed by David Reyes Villafana of Flowers at the Cottage in Pasadena, this space features a large water pond created by excavating the center of the planter. Villafana used a commercial liner, covered with burlap and landscaped the surrounding area. He planted curly willow that will root into the burlap to provide an unusual edging.

Dedicated gardeners can appreciate the title and contents of the space designed by Matt-Dell Tufenkian of South Pasadena. His ``Garden of Obsession'' is an eclectic design showcasing a gallery of rare and unusual perennial plants in an imaginative 800-square-foot space that includes ceramics and garden sculpture. Pathways of blue polished glass, one of aqua, the other of cobalt, lead visitors through the shade garden into the sun. There a Jungle Jim relic has been redesigned as a vibrant blue sculpture with water trickling down a pole.

The garden border is a gallery of unusual plants. Be sure to look for several new varieties of angel's trumpet, including the double white flowered ``Charles Grimaldi,'' and multiple-petal ``Silk Handkerchief.'' Yellow flowers of Salvia jamesonia and a vividly yellow-flowered Cestrum also attract attention.

A vegetable garden was part of the estate's original landscape. Tucked away behind the house and hidden from view, this secret garden was transformed by Tony Kienitz of Vegetare in Pasadena into a fascinating juxtaposition of cultivated and wild. The four-bed parterre consists of two highly ornamental beds resembling quilts. One consists primarily of corn and beans, with the living plants growing around the borders. Each corner contains ornamental corn kernels, next to fragrant quadrants of spent espresso coffee.

``I want people to realize that coffee grounds are excellent soil amendments and are easily available at local Starbucks,'' Kinetic said.

While in this section, be sure to observe the whimsical picnic created by John Roberts Floriculture of La Canada Flintridge. Two ants (metal sculptures) carting off the picnic basket and wine cooler are spoiling a picnic in progress, depicted in part as plants grow in a quilted pattern.

Gardeners who enjoy growing orchids and other tropical plants will enjoy the display by Burkard Nursery of Pasadena. Lush foliage and floral plants, including some fancy hibiscus with exceptionally large flowers and vibrant colors surround a practical and attractive greenhouse.

THE FACTS

--What: Pasadena Showcase House of Design 2000.

--Where: Complimentary parking at Gate 8 of Westfield Shoppingtown (formerly Santa Anita Fashion Park) at 300 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia) with continuous shuttle service to the house. There is no parking at the house.

--When: Through May 14. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday; 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Closed Monday.

--Tickets: Tours from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; $20. Tours from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; $18. Saturdays and Sundays; $25.

Call Ticketmaster, [phone] or [phone], on the Web at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at Ticketmaster outlets in selected Wherehouse, Robinsons-May and Tower Records stores. For 24-hour recorded information, call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) The Pasadena Showcase House of Design 2000 features a greenhouse and flowers for visitors to admire as they stroll the grounds. This garden, one of 16 displays, contains plants that thrive in California's warm climate.

(2 -- color) Designer Matt-Dell Tufenkian's ``Garden of Obsession'' spotlights rare perennial plants from all over the world.

(3 -- color) John Roberts Floriculture of La Canada Flintridge used whimsical metal ant sculptures to break up the foliage.

Josh Estey/Staff Photographer

Box: THE FACTS (see text)