Helen Crocker Russell
Library of Horticulture

The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture, established in 1972, is northern California's largest horticultural library. The library houses approximately 27,000 volumes and 450 plant and garden periodicals.

The library collections cover all aspects of horticulture including gardening, garden design, botanical art, ethnobotany and pest management, with an emphasis on plants grown in Mediterranean and other mild temperate climates. The library also features a 1,600-volume children's botanical library, Sunday children's story time programs and botanical art exhibitions.

Open Wednesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm.

Closed Sunday – Tuesday and major holidays.

Phone: (415) 661-1316 ext. 403 library@sfbotanicalgarden.org Brandy Kuhl Head Librarian bkuhl@sfbotanicalgarden.orgLibrary History Support the Library

* * * HOURS CHANGE * * *

Due to budget cuts, the library will be open Wednesday - Saturday from 10am-4pm; closed Sunday - Tuesday and major holidays, starting September 1. Because of this change our Story Time program will be held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month, instead of our current Sunday schedule.

Barbara Pitschel
1939-2010
Our dear librarian of 30 years passed away on August 3, 2010. She will be greatly missed.

Art in the Library:
"Nature's Geometry"

Surprises of Botanical Design
Photographs by Julie Jaycox
September 1 – December 30, 2010

Discover a Treasure Trove of Used Horticulture Books
The Library now offers used books for sale on a variety of horticulture-related topics. Come and browse this ever-evolving selection of treasures. By appointment only.

How to Buy >>

New Books and Old Favorites
Check out our monthly lists of recommended children's books along with a Featured Book of the Month.

August List
September List
October List

Children's Storytime & Family Walk
Stories at 10:30 with walk in the gardens at 11:00 am

Children's Bibliography
A complete list of our wonderful collection of over 1,600 books for children on plants, natural history, general science and more is now available in downloadable format (PDF 1 Meg).