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Local Non-Profit, East Bay Dry Garden and Plant Nursery

Nestled in the suburbs of Walnut Creek is an outdoor botanical garden and onsite retail nursery. We specialize in drought-tolerant and climate-adaptive plants that are well-suited to the microclimate in the East Bay. The plant collection includes agave, aloe, cacti, California native plants, echeveria, yucca and more! Visit us Tuesday through Sunday, 9AM to 4PM.

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Vote for the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Best of the East Bay

 

Vote for us as your local favorite by March 31st!

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You can vote for us in the following categories:

 

Arts and Leisure: Place to take visitors

Celebrations and Events: Wedding Venue

Home and Garden: Landscape Design, Plant Nursery

 

Membership

All Memberships give you reciprocal access to gardens throughout North America!

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Donate

Support a legacy of climate-resiliency, education, and conservation

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Events

View our upcoming lectures, webinars, workshops, and events at the Garden

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A community-supported Garden

Voted “Best Tourist Attraction” by Diablo Magazine editors and readers in Best of the East Bay, 2022 & 2023

Plan Your Visit

 

The Garden’s mission is to preserve, promote, and enhance Ruth Bancroft’s world-class collection of water-conserving plants displayed in her exceptionally designed garden for the education, inspiration, and enjoyment of the public.

We are a world-renowned 3.5 acre botanical garden and retail Nursery housing a collection of climate-resilient plants from around the world. We offer a variety of classes, workshops, and events that encourage you to connect meaningfully with the beauty of this place. Come explore Ruth’s Garden today! Garden Members receive exclusive benefits, unlimited free visits to the Garden, and so much more.

What We Offer

The Garden

 

The Ruth Bancroft Garden houses a unique and diverse collection of cacti, succulents and drought-tolerant plants from around the world. The many large mature specimens located throughout the 3.5 acre garden serve as an excellent example of just how stunning a dry garden can be. We invite you to come spend the day wandering through the meandering paths and exploring the thousands of different plants species we have growing.  There is always something in bloom at the Garden!

The Garden does not have traditional botanical garden signs. This is due to Ruth’s original vision; she felt that signs would interfere with the artistic view of the Garden. We have a self-guided tour booklet available at the Kiosk to help you navigate the space and become more educated about the Garden’s plant collection.

We are a Member supported Garden – thank you to our many Members, Donors, and Visitors who take the time to enjoy the space! We’ll see you soon.

The Nursery

Voted Best Plant Nurseryby Diablo Magazine editors and readers, 2020, 2021 & 2022 and Runner Up in 2023

 

We sell succulents, cacti, and many other varieties of climate-resilient plants, ranging in size from 2” to 15-gallon. Our selection includes Agaves, Aloes, Sedums, Aeoniums, Echeverias, Cacti and many more that are suited to our dry-summer micro-climate. We also stock a wide range of other waterwise plants, including the largest selection of Proteaceae in Northern California. These include Protea, Leucospermum, Leucadendron, Grevillea, and Banksia.

Education

 

Unlock the wonders of the Garden with our diverse educational offerings at the Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery. We host webinars, classes, and workshops with lecturers that our Education Department specially curates. From dry garden landscaping webinars to climate-appropriate plants education, delve into a world of knowledge and exploration. Become a member and enjoy discounted tickets, as we strive to make learning accessible to all.

With our family and pet-friendly environment, spending the day at the garden is an enriching adventure for all ages. Let your little ones explore the wonders of our diverse plant collection while discovering the joy of outdoor exploration. Our children’s education programs at the Ruth Bancroft Garden fosters curiosity, learning, and unforgettable memories.

Private Rentals

Voted “Best Wedding Venue in the East Bay” by Diablo Magazine editors and readers, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023

 

Elevate your special event to extraordinary heights! The Garden offers a truly unique backdrop that adds a touch of enchantment to any occasion. With both indoor and outdoor spaces available, we provide the perfect fit for events of all types. Celebrate weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, corporate gatherings, and more. Our meticulously maintained gardens and picturesque surroundings create an atmosphere that is both elegant and tranquil, making every moment unforgettable. Our dedicated team will work closely with you to ensure that every detail is flawlessly executed, allowing you to relax and enjoy your special day.

Discover the magic of hosting your private event in our extraordinary garden.  Contact us today to inquire about availability and let us help you create cherished memories in this enchanting setting.

Landscape Design Services

Voted “Best Landscape Design Services” by Diablo Magazine editors and readers, 2023

 

Want a waterwise garden but not sure where to start? We offer landscape design services in the Bay Area ranging from a little advice to a complete plan for a whole new garden! Transform your outdoor space with our expert landscape designers, featuring stunning climate-resilient plants perfectly suited to our Mediterranean micro-climate. Fill out our Design Services inquiry form to get started!

Have just a few plant questions? Drop in on Wednesdays from 9:30AM-12:30PM and chat with one of our Landscape Designers at Designer in the Nursery!

Membership

 

Our Garden Members get free admission to the Garden, 20% off in our retail Nursery every time they shop, reciprocal admission to other gardens, and more! Memberships start at just $50 a year and can be bought online or at the Kiosk at the Garden!

 

If you have any Membership related questions, please reach out to our team at membership@ruthbancroftgarden.org

 

Become a Member

FEATURED EVENTS

(Guided Walk) Cactaceae [Barrel & Globular]

Saturday, March 16, 2024 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

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(Webinar) Cactaceae [Columnar & Opuntioids]

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

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(Webinar) Container Gardening- Design Elements

Saturday, March 23, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

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(Workshop) Pot Party with Jeremiah- Succulent Session

Saturday, April 20, 2024 @ 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

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Follow our Curator’s musings on tumblr here

What's In Bloom - March 2024

What’s In Bloom

March 2024

Preview the plants blooming in the Garden right now. Discover which ones are available in the Nursery. Print this guide at home or pick one up at the Garden when you visit.

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Latest Plant Highlight: Coreopsis gigantea (Leptosyne gigantea)

The Daisy Family (Asteraceae) is a very large one with a worldwide distribution, containing over 32,000 described species in over 1,900 genera.