Plant Highlights By Date
Beaucarnea recurvata
September 2011
By far the best known of the beaucarneas is Beaucarnea recurvata, commonly known as the pony-tail palm, though it is not a true palm.
Ferocactus pottsii
August 2011
Ferocactus pottsii is a summer bloomer and comes into flower at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in July and August. The flowers are produced around the center.
Nolina matapensis
July 2011
Like other nolinas, Nolina matapensis has separate male and female plants, with branched inflorescences bearing many tiny flowers.
Yucca thompsoniana
June 2011
The leaves of Yucca thompsoniana are about 7 to 12 inches long (18 – 30 cm) and about ⅔ of an inch wide (1 cm) and are thin and pliable.
Agave chiapensis
May 2011
One of the species in the Polycephalae which grows very happily at the Ruth Bancroft Garden is Agave chiapensis, named after the state of Chiapas in Mexico.
Thelocactus tulensis
April 2011
One kind of Thelocactus which does well at the Ruth Bancroft Garden is Thelocactus tulensis, native to the Mexican states of San Luis Potosi and Tamaulipas.
Aloe affinis
March 2011
Aloe affinis is native to northeastern South Africa, in an area where the rains come in summer, though it tolerates our winter rains.
Garrya elliptica
February 2011
Garrya elliptica is a handsome shrub which can attain a height of 10 feet or more. Its leaves are deep green on the top and felted pale green on the bottom.
Cephalophyllum stayneri
January 2011
Cephalophyllum stayneri flowers during the winter months, like most other members of its genus. It blooms with deep pink flowers tinted with orange.
Aloe arborescens
December 2010
Aloe arborescens is a familiar part of the horticultural landscape in the warmer parts of California, including the Bay Area.
