This month, the gardens will be alive with the sound of music.

The San Francisco Botanical Garden is hosting Flower Piano, a musical fest that embodies true community and creativity. From July 9-20, twelve pianos will be placed among the colorful, flowering gardens, and visitors are encouraged to showcase their musical talents with anything from Mozart to Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Flower Piano is the brainchild of Half Moon Bay musician Mauro ffortissimo and San Francisco filmmaker Dean Mermell, and is the latest iteration of their Sunset Piano project. The project began when ffortissimo hauled a piano out to the cliffs of Half Moon Bay and played a nightly symphony before sacrificing the grand instrument to the rolling fog (he set the piano on fire once the fog had wreaked too much damage). An extension of ffortissimo's original seaside concert, Sunset Piano places pianos in unexpected settings all across the Bay Area—along coastlines and in the middle of bustling urban streets. 

This rendition of Sunset Piano adds another layer of beauty to the already tranquil and lush SF Botanical Garden. Although anyone can play, Flower Piano promises the talents of professional pianists on select days (make sure to catch Steinway pianist Lara Downes perform at 11am on July 18). Otherwise, celebrate summer with an idyllic stroll among the flowers and see how much of Pachelbel's Canon you can remember. 

Flower Piano is open July 9-20 at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park, 1199 9th Avenue.