:: The Ruth Bancroft Garden ::

The Ruth Bancroft Garden just turned 40!

In 1972, at age 64, Ruth Bancroft planted the first plants in her soon to be dry garden oasis.

This year it will be 40 years ago that Ruth embarked upon her masterpiece of garden design.

Throughout its history, The Ruth Bancroft Garden has continued to inspire and educate

its visitors. Ruth’s vision is as alive and relevant as ever.

We are celebrating our 40^th Anniversary with expanded events and education

programs and are proud to present our 2012 Calendar of Events.

Ruth in front of Agave bed Ruth Bancroft in front of Agave franzosinii (early nineties)

Education at The Garden!

The Garden offers an array of workshops, classes, and seminars for the home gardener and horticulture/green industry professional. Upcoming events include:

Take our Education Survey here.

Your feedback will help us to shape our workshop and class schedule for next year. Calendar currently being developed.

Learn more about educational opportunities here.

Plant Highlight: Crassula sarcocaulis

Image of C. sarcocaulis

Many sources list Crassula sarcocaulis as summer-flowering, but our plant at the Ruth Bancroft Garden is flowering in winter. The flower color for this species can be white or pink, and ours is white. The tiny urn-shaped or bell-shaped flowers are borne in small clusters at the tips of the branches. Like other crassulas, they have 5 petals.

This species is very easy to propagate, since cuttings root readily. It is cold-hardy in our area, so it does not require any winter protection.

Click here for more information

Donate Now!

RBG in the News

The Wall Street Journal, Growing a Piece of History. 11/25/11.

Find other Press here.

Newsletter

Mission Statement

The mission of the Ruth Bancroft Garden, Inc. is to preserve this exceptional example of garden design and to continue to develop its collection of water-conserving plants for the education and enjoyment of the public.

Grant Funders

The Ruth Bancroft Garden would like to recognize the following grant funders:

The Quest Foundation for funding our Education Coordinator’s position

The Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust for funding our directional signs.

The California Horticultural Society for funding towards our restoration projects.

Visit our Nursery Webpage

The Ruth Bancroft Garden now has a Nursery Availability List. This information is regularly updated and includes information on buying plants. The Nursery growing area is closed to the general public. You may schedule a future appointment to purchase plants and receive personalized dry-garden advice in the Nursery by emailing our Nursery Manager.

What's New in The Garden?

Look here for interesting garden updates from the RBG gardeners' perspectives