Your plant and merchandise purchases help keep The Ruth Bancroft Garden growing!

all prices are pre-tax

Unique Ruth Bancroft Garden greeting cards are perfect for friends near and far! Stunning photos of some of the Garden's most spectacular specimens are set on sturdy cardstock with the name of the plant and the Garden's information on the back. Blank interiors mean you can use these cards for any occasion. Limited quantity, each one is different.

$2

These charming handwoven baskets are made of local grasses, dyed with herbs, roots, and flowers, by the Virunga Artisans of Nkuringo, Uganda. The sale of these baskets gives the women of the village economic empowerment and a sense of pride, and it also protects gorilla habitat by giving people an environmentally sustainable way to support themselves.

$10-$35

Dish Gardens are lovingly made by our Nursery volunteers with plants grown in the Garden. They are available in a range of sizes, from little ones that fit in the palm of your hand to large displays, perfect for those who have potted plants instead of a yard. You can also bring your own pot and have a custom dish garden created with your choice of plants! Click here for more information.

$8 - $100

A perennial favorite among garden art lovers, Phil Lange's Guppies, Big Fish, and Hammerheads are available all year long. Perfectly balanced, they sway and twist in the breeze and make a wonderful addition to any garden, big or small. Come by the Garden to check them out!

$250 - $400

A wonderful way to support The Ruth Bancroft Garden is to plan a gift in your estate or will. Estate gifts can be specified to go into our Endowment Fund, creating a lasting source of income to preserve The Garden. Click here for more information.

Individual Membership - $35

• One member card
• Two single-use guest passes ($20 value)
• Plant certificate for $15
  

Family Membership - $60

• Two member cards
• Four single-use guest passes ($40 value)
• Plant certificate for $25
  

Friends Membership - $100

• Family Membership benefits, plus:
• Plant certificate for $40
• Event certificate for $30
  

Aloe Garden Sponsor - $250

• Family Membership benefits, plus:
• Plant certificate for $75
• Event certificate for $150
  

Agave Garden Sponsor - $500

• Family Membership benefits, plus:
• Plant certificate for $150
• Event certificate for $300
• Private tour of the Garden for four with RBG staff
  

Ruth's Manzanita Sponsor - $1,000

• Family Membership benefits, plus:
• Plant certificate for $150
• Event certificate for $300
• Two tickets to the Annual Dinner ($300 value)
• Private tour of the Garden for four with curator Brian Kemble
  

Individual Lifetime Membership - $1,000

• One member card with no expiration
• Plant certificate for $15 every year
• Two guest passes every year
  
  

Family Lifetime Membership - $1,800

• Two member cards with no expiration
• Plant certificate for $25 every year
• Four guest passes every year
  

Without the enthusiasm and dedication of volunteers, The Ruth Bancroft Garden would not be here today.  Since this garden was planted in 1972, and all the way through it’s development from a private into a public garden, volunteers have been instrumental in maintaining the garden and supporting the organization behind it.

Volunteering at The Ruth Bancroft Garden is a wonderful way to enjoy this exceptional garden and contribute to its success. Download our Volunteer Application, fill it out, and email it to our volunteer coordinator, or mail it to the Garden. We accept applications year-round. Experience the satisfaction of contributing to The Ruth Bancroft Garden by donating your time, skills, and energy.

Volunteers at the Annual Sculpture Show Register	Work Party in the Nursery

The Ruth Bancroft Garden has a variety of interesting volunteer opportunities.

Garden work

(Weekdays 10am-5pm)

• Nursery (propagation, repotting) Tuesdays and Thursdays only
• Construction (landscaping, irrigation)
• Gardening (weeding, planting)
• Adopt-a-bed (ongoing commitment)
  

Volunteer potting an Agave	Plant Sale House during the Spring Plant Sale

Event Assistance
(usually evenings & weekends)

• Organization & Planning
• Marketing & Mailings
• Cashier & Admission
• Children’s Educational Events
• Plant Sales
• Membership Table
• Traffic Control
• Merchandise (organizing, selling)

Office Assistance
(half-day shifts Mon – Fri, 9am to 5pm)

• Front desk (answer phones, greet visitors)
• Computer work (graphic design, data entry)
• Outreach (design, distribution, research)
• Website maintenance
  
  

Education

Become a Docent! Our annual training between October and March will prepare you to lead tours in the garden.

• Children’s programs: assisting with special projects and classes.
• Adult Education: assisting with hands-on workshops, lectures, special trips, etc.
  

Docents
Interested in sharing your love for plants with others? Become a Docent at the Ruth Bancroft Garden! Our Docent Training Program that takes place each year between October and March.

Docents Leading Tours in the Garden

The Docents at the Ruth Bancroft Garden play a vital role, interpreting the flora of the Garden for hundreds of visitors per year. Docent training provides you with knowledge about our collection of drought tolerant plants as well as the history of the Garden and its geographic location and trains you in interpretive skills and public speaking. As a trained Docent, you will be certified to lead tours through the Garden and share your knowledge with our visitors.

The benefits of becoming a Docent, besides the satisfaction of working in a beautiful place, and contributing to your community, include a free garden membership, and ongoing Docent Enrichment educational opportunities.