The Ruth Bancroft Garden

03/04/2025

Calling all sculpture artists! Showcase your work at our 31st Annual Sculpture in the Garden Show. Applications close March 21st.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSev0c-4b1_ZLVKhAiDxUHgVWGq8LYj26Jht9GoznhwSeac_Nw/viewform
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Details: ⁠ ⁠
• This event is a fundraiser for the Garden and is an excellent backdrop for outdoor artwork.⁠
• Exhibit starts on June 21 and ends on August 10⁠
• Sculptures in all media (appropriate for long-term, outdoor garden use) will be considered. ⁠
• Art must be durable in all weather. One installation may consist of multiple related pieces. ⁠
• Sculptures must be free-standing, three-dimensional, stable artworks, and artists are expected to bring their substantial footing bases to stabilize pieces on the gravel paths.

03/01/2025

Pre-order our new book: Designing the Lush Dry Garden: How To Create a Climate-Resilient, Low-Water Paradise!

The Ruth Bancroft Garden, known as one of the finest dry gardens in the world, is a pioneering example of resilient design with a focus on water conservation.

This book is the first guide to lay out Ruth Bancroft’s methods for the home gardener and designer. With gorgeous photos by Caitlin Atkinson, and detailed portraits of 20 gardens inspired by the Ruth Bancroft Garden, you’ll discover how to create a design that suits your vision.

Topics include:
- How to choose the right plants for your site, including Ruth’s favorites
- The appropriate methods for adapting your garden to climate change
- Advice on integrating paths and structures in a waterwise design
- Tips for low-water container gardens and designs

The book will be released in September 2025. Pre-order your copy here: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/product/designing-the-lush-dry-garden/

02/25/2025

Protect your plants and the planet! Join us at the Garden for a lecture on the principles and practices of organic pest control techniques used at the Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery.

Organic Integrated Pest Management (In-person lecture)
Saturday, March 8th at 10am

You'll be introduced to the concept of IPM (integrated pest management) and learn how to identify common pests that are found in dry garden plant palettes. We will cover a variety of methods of preventing and controlling pests as well as the importance of not relying on synthetic pesticides. Learn more/register here: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/workshop-organic-integrated-pest-management-2/

02/25/2025

Starting March 1st, we're adjusting our daily admission and membership rates. This increase will help ensure that we can continue to preserve Ruth’s world-renowned collection, offer impactful educational experiences, and care for this extraordinary space and the community it supports.

New admission and membership rates:

Admission:
Adults: $15
Senior/Student/Active Military/Teachers: $12
Children 5-17: $6
Children under 5: free

Membership:
Individual: $60; Individual Plus: $120
Family: $90; Family Plus: $150
Garden, Arts, and Culture: $175
Landscape Professional: $175

The Garden’s membership rates will remain some of the lowest of any botanical gardens' in the American Southwest. Additionally, every level provides our members with free admission to over 380 gardens across North America through the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program.

We greatly appreciate your support of Ruth’s Garden and the community treasure into which it has grown. Learn more here: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/membership/

02/24/2025

Aloe microstigma

This Aloe species occurs over a large area in southern and western South Africa, and one population even makes it up to Namibia. Plants in different places can differ in the color of their flowers and in the color of their leaves, and the plant pictured is looking pretty spectacular with its red leaves and yellow flowers. It was not nearly as red in previous years, and it may be that the color intensity is because of root damage when we dug and moved it - but I hope it stays this way! -Brian (Curator)

02/15/2025

Let's grow together! 🌿 Garden Buds is a program for little explorers (18-36 months) that fosters curiosity and a connection to nature through engaging activities and exploration within the Ruth Bancroft Garden.

Join us for Garden Buds every Tuesday at 9:30 AM throughout March, April, and May!

🐛 March's class series takes place on March 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, focusing on the exploration of seeds, worms, water, and plants. (ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT)

🦋 April's class series takes place on April 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th, focusing on pollinators.

🌵 May's class series takes place on May 6th, 13th, 15th, 20th, and 27th, focusing on succulents and cacti.

Learn more and register for Garden Buds here: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/series/garden-buds/

02/15/2025

Creamsicle season has arrived!

Aloe ‘Creamsicle’ is in full bloom! This Aloe is a hybrid our Curator, Brian Kemble, made between the yellow-flowered form of Aloe arborescens and the yellow-flowered form of Aloe ferox. ⁠

"These two species co-occur at some localities in South Africa, and the resulting natural hybrids are well represented in horticulture, but with red-orange flowers. By using the much less common yellow forms of the two species, I intended to make a hybrid with yellow flowers. However, the resulting plant has pale orange buds, which become yellow as they mature - so I decided to call it ‘Creamsicle’. It certainly makes a very colorful splash in the garden in winter." -Brian

02/14/2025

Need a last minute gift for yourself or your Valentine? We have a limited quantity of small and medium protea bouquets and Serruria (Blushing Bride) bundles available in the Nursery! 💐

💌 Members receive 20% off! We’re open 9am-4pm.

(vases not included)

02/13/2025

Heart and Soil ❤️ Gift a little greenery that speaks from the heart! These heart-shaped plants are a wonderful gift to brighten someone's day.

Plants pictured:
Hoya Heart (Hoya kerri)
Variegated String of Hearts Topiary (Ceropegia woodii variegata)

We're open 9am-4pm.

02/10/2025

Watch our latest 'What's in Bloom' video to see what plants are currently flowering in the Garden!

What's in Bloom at The Ruth Bancroft Garden (February 2025) Join Brian Kemble for a view of a selection of this month's What's in Bloom at the Ruth Bancroft ...

02/08/2025

Here’s an update on Agave isthmensis x colorata! Flowers should be opening very soon…

Kinda cool! ✨

02/08/2025

Treat yourself to a relaxing Sound Bath on Wednesday, February 12th at 6pm!

We invite you to join Sound Quest Intuitive Arts for an evening of peace and meditation. Get tickets here: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/sound-bath-february/
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Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, or something comfortable to sit on during the session.

02/05/2025

The last day to pre-order a Protea bouquet for your Valentine is Sunday, February 9th! This beautiful mix of Proteaceae flowers and foliage dries beautifully. 💐
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Handmade by our friends at Crescent Hill Nursery❤️⁠

Pre-order yours today: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/product/valentine-bouquet/

02/04/2025

Spring garden planning starts now! 🌿 Not sure where to start? One of our Landscape Designers will be in the Nursery on Wednesday, February 5th from 9am-12pm, to help answer your questions!

This is a great opportunity to get recommendations for your outdoor space. Designer in the Nursery is a free service offered every first Wednesday of the month. Bring pictures/measurements of your space.

Please note, meetings are up to 10 minutes to accommodate all visitors. Customers needing more time should sign up for a consultation by filling out our inquiry form here: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/designer-in-the-nursery/

Photo credit: Caitlin Atkinson

02/03/2025

February Plant Highlight: Grevillea lavandulacea ‘Penola’

Grevillea is a large genus (about 360 species) in the Protea Family (Proteaceae). The great majority of the species are from Australia, but a few come from nearby islands (New Caledonia, New Guinea and Sulawesi). They are mostly evergreen shrubs, though a few of the largest ones are trees. Much hybridizing has been done in the genus, and new hybrids are continually finding their way into horticulture, but one of the tried-and-true cultivars is Grevillea lavandulacea ‘Penola’.

While some species of Grevillea have flowers in dense clusters, those of G. lavandulacea ‘Penola’ come in small clusters of 2 to 10, held on short side shoots along the branches. They might be lost among the foliage, except that the leaves are so narrow and the flowers so numerous (with their red color contrasting dramatically with the grey-green of the leaves), that they make quite an impression. Because the clusters have few flowers, these are on full display, and their curlicue appearance is quite apparent. Each flower is bright red at the base, with two calyx lobes that are curled under at their tips, fading to pink and then white toward their ends.

Grevillea lavandulacea ‘Penola’ is not difficult to grow if given plenty of sun and adequate drainage. As with other plants in the Proteaceae, fertilizers with significant levels of phosphorus should be avoided. Members of the family are commonly found in soils with low levels of this element, and they can easily overdose if they get too much. This is a drought-tolerant species, and it can withstand winter lows down to about 20° F (-7° C), though not sustained freezing weather. - Brian Kemble (Curator)

Read more about this month's plant highlight here: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/plants/grevillea-lavandulacea-penola/

02/01/2025

We're excited to announce the return of our weekly Story Time! Kids can enjoy nature-themed stories, sing-alongs, and creative crafts inspired by the book of the week.

Starting February 6th, join us every Thursday at 9:30 AM in the Nook!

Story Time is free for Members. Check out the schedule here: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/series/story-time/

01/31/2025

Check out our latest plant arrivals!

Every Friday morning, we share a list in our newsletter of the new plants available in the Nursery. It's not a comprehensive list of everything we have, just the latest additions. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about the latest plant arrivals: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/join-our-mailing-list/

Plants pictured:
Aloe 'Creme Tangerine'
Agave bovicornuta 'Holstein'
Romneya coulteri (Matilija Poppy)
Aloe capitata var. quartzicola
Dyckia 'Silver Superstar'
Aloe flevetii
Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride'
Sansevieria ballyi
Orthophytum magalhaesii

01/29/2025

Join the Ruth Bancroft Garden Landscape Design Services team!

We're seeking an experienced and creative Associate Designer to join the Landscape Design Services team providing custom landscape designs and consultations to the clients of the Garden. The ideal Associate Designer is passionate about dry gardening with particular emphasis on succulents and California Native plants that are exemplified in the Ruth Bancroft Garden collection.

To be considered for this position, email [email protected] with the following:
- Resume
- Letter of interest
- Work samples in an electronic portfolio

Apply now and learn more about the Associate Landscape Designer position here: https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/opportunities/associate-designer/

02/06/2023

Are you a landscape architect or garden designer that has been influenced by the Ruth Bancroft Garden?

We are currently working on a project focusing on the impact of Ruth Bancroft beyond our walls. If a garden you designed is selected, you may be featured! Send us a direct message if you’re interested.