Despite the number of parks we're lucky enough to have around here, spending your days among the cement paths and buildings of the city can still leave you longing for more greenery. If you get that feeling, you're not alone. The past decade has shown gardens popping up everywhere, from rooftops to the sides of buildings and anywhere in between. The trend doesn't seem to be waning, either, as these unexpected pops of green are not only a welcome change to the typical concrete jungle, but could be the answer to providing locally grown sustainable food to city dwellers, where the space for traditional gardening methods may not exist.

The local branch of the American Institute for Architects, or AIA, has taken note, bringing Vertical Gardens, an in-depth exhibit on the trend, to their gallery space downtown. Stop by for the opening reception this Thursday at 6 and you'll get to hear local studios including Rael San Fratello Architects, Min Day, environmental designer Lisa Lee Benjamin, and Flora Grubb Gardens talk about their contributions to the exhibit. Work from over 20 other designers will be on display as well. More information on the event can be found here.