Two visits to the Ruth Bancroft Garden (1 of 2)

As luck would have it, I visited the Ruth Bancroft Garden (RBG) twice over the last two weekends. On October 4, my friend Michele and I made a quick stop before Cricket Riley’s garden party celebrating the launch of her book Designing the Lush Dry Garden, written in collaboration with Alice Kitajima and Kier Holmes. And then a week later, on October 11, the Sacramento Cactus and Succulent Society (SCSS) went on a bus trip to the RBG. The weather was glorious both times, and I took more photos than I had initially realized — so many, in fact, that I need to split this post into two parts. This is part 1; part 2 will follow in a couple of days.

I’ve blogged about the Ruth Bancroft Garden countless times over the years, and many of you have been there yourselves. If you’re not familiar with Ruth Bancroft and the iconic garden she started when she was 63 years old, read my review of Designing the Lush Dry Garden for a brief summary. If you’re interested in the full story, check out Johanna Silver’s book The Bold Dry Garden; it was released in 2016, a year before Ruth died in 2017 at the age of 109.

Planting along the sidewalk in front of the RBG

Since there are so many photos to squeeze in, I’ll keep my commentary brief and succinct. Sometimes it’s best to let the images do the talking.

Agave parrasana, beautiful even in death

A few things to note: Ruth Bancroft was primarily concerned with aesthetics. According to garden curator Brian Kemble, Ruth forbade the garden staff from labeling plants. She wanted her garden to be an artful experience, not a taxonomic display. That’s why she organized plants not by geographic origin or scientific classification, but as an artistic, designed landscape emphasizing visual appeal. The result — and her legacy — is a naturalistic, cohesive environment that prioritizes texture and form.

The sidewalk bed along Bancroft Road, between the entrance to the garden and Stratton Road, was completely redone in 2024. Tons (literally) of soil and rock were added, creating slopes and terraces that are perfect for showcasing plants.

This area got seed-bombed last fall, resulting in a magical carpet of California native wildflowers this past spring

My “it” plant of the moment: a hybrid between Agave pablocarrilloi (the species formerly known as A. gypsophila) and Agave potatorum, created by RBG garden curator Brian Kemble. I’ll show you another specimen in part 2 of this post.

I realize hechtias can rip your skin if you aren’t careful, but they’re oh so beautiful

Kyle stepping out into busy Bancroft Road to give us a sense of scale next to this Aloe broomii flower stalk (he’s 6 ft. 2 in.).

The RBG nursery is right next to the parking lot. Logically and logistically, it should be the last stop on a visit, but the call of the plants is so strong that I often sneak in there first.

Part of the Sacramento Cactus and Succulent Society contingent. We had about 50 people on the bus; quite a few of them had never been to the RBG.

This carpet of green is an extremely prostrate form of the Australian swamp oak (Casuarina glauca) called ‘Cousin It’, not to be confused with Acacia cognata ‘Cousin Itt’. In spite of its common name, it tolerates fairly dry conditions. I tried it once (and failed), but the plant I had was too small and weak. And now it’s impossible to find.

Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) is a Southwestern native that is becoming a bit more available in California. It’s a perfect foil for cacti, agaves, and the likes.

Baileya multiradiata with Ferocactus gracilis and Ferocactus pilosus

Agave parryi var. truncata is a spectacular form, but it’s a very enthusiastic offsetter — just look at the pups popping up all over the plant

These two are Agave isthmensis × colorata, a Brian Kemble hybrid. They are seedlings from the same batch.

The photo above was taken on October 4, this one a week later on October 11. Notice the emerging flower stalk?

This agave, bloomed out and setting seeds, is another seedling from the same batch of Agave isthmensis × colorata. What a difference in size!

This Yucca rigida has been in the garden for decades

Agave dasylirioides with its tell-tale flower stalk...

...which arches to the side and points down instead of extending straight up like with most agave species

Agave sebastiana, a close relative of Agave shawii. Some experts theorize that Agave shawii, whose northern range starts in San Diego County, eventually morphs into Agave sebastiana halfway down the Baja peninsula.

Agave sebastiana close-up

Agave shawii. The rosettes are much smaller than is typical. Notice the long creeping trunk.

Boojum tree (Fouquieria columnaris)

One of many Agave franzosinii in the garden. It’s the signature agave species at the RBG, just like it is at Lotusland in Montecito. According to RBG curator Brian Kemble, Agave franzosinii was described in 1885 based on a specimen at a private garden in Italy. There is no known type locality for this species, but Brian says that traveling in Mexico you see a lot of agaves in rural areas that are very similar to Agave franzosinii (and the related Agave americana).

Large aloes in the middle of the garden

Aloe buhrii (left) and Euphorbia resinifera (right)

Grevillea ‘Kings Fire’, one of my favorite shrubs, but it takes a lot of room to look good

Brachychiton discolor, the Australian pink flame tree

Aloidendron ‘Hercules’

Agave montana is highly variable in terms of size. This specimen of Agave montana is huge. Kyle (6 ft. 2 in.) for scale.

Agave ‘Sun Glow’ with a few bulbils left on its flower stalk. Some show very heavy variegation, to the point where they might not even be viable.

Bloomed out Agave nickelsiae, striking even post-life

Aloe marlothii (left) and Aloe pearsonii × distans, a hybrid created by Brian Kemble many years ago. It’s very similar to its sibling ‘Hellskloof Bells’, but with slightly larger rosettes.

Small Australian grass tree (Xanthorrhoea sp.)

I’m always looking for groundcover ideas I can replicate in my own garden. This is a combination I want to try: Sedum × rubrotinctum ‘Pork and Beans’ and Tanacetum densum ssp. amani.

Variegated Agave schidigera with a semi-prostrate echinopsis

×Mangave ‘Purple Ribbons’, a hybrid between ×Mangave ‘Macho Mocha’ and Agave pablocarrilloi, created by Brian Kemble

A clump of Soehrensia formosa

Stopping for a quick chat with fellow SCSS members Bill, Kyle, and Michele

The Ruth Bancroft Garden is only 3½ acres, but it’s full of plants I love. That’s why I always take so many photos. More of them in part 2 (coming in a few days).

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