For Northern California succulent lovers, one of the biggest events in the spring is the April plant sale at Ruth Bancroft Garden (RBG) in Walnut Creek, CA. I’ve been to quite a few of them over the years and they’re always high-octane events but this sale seemed to draw even more people than usual. It’s a clear sign that a wider segment of the gardening public is taking an interest in succulents. Water is becoming ever more scarce and expensive in our part of the country and replacing at least some thirsty annuals and perennials with drought-tolerant succulents is a great way to conserve water.
I arrived a few minutes early and took the opportunity to photograph the plantings along the entrance road. As you can see, they are stunning in their own right.
![120414_RBG_2 120414_RBG_2](//lh3.ggpht.com/-EN0bKUsfOsc/T4sRPnwFkGI/AAAAAAAAQdE/HHvLYEDkUmg/120414_RBG_2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
North entrance. The road leads to the garden entrance on the right and to a parking area. |
![120414_RBG_6 120414_RBG_6](//lh3.ggpht.com/-50IAXd5smfA/T4sRR8GY78I/AAAAAAAAQdU/bgn0-JVTzsY/120414_RBG_6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
View in the other direction toward Bancroft Road, a busy four-lane street |
Then 9am rolled around and it was off to the races. I had to balance my desire to check out all the plants for sale with my duty to take as many photos as possible so you can experience the sale vicariously. Enjoy!
![120414_RBG_silentauction 120414_RBG_silentauction](//lh4.ggpht.com/-boatQdpNhj4/T4sRVbT7m7I/AAAAAAAAQdk/d3KHXGGwSVg/120414_RBG_silentauction_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Silent auction table |
![120414_RBG_Agave-Royal-Spine_01 120414_RBG_Agave-Royal-Spine_01](//lh3.ggpht.com/-FWnMhQDSDCQ/T4sRXknhvGI/AAAAAAAAQd0/F4TSr5VjSUQ/120414_RBG_Agave-Royal-Spine_01_thum.jpg?imgmax=800) |
This Agave ‘Royal Spine’ in a 7-gallon container was in the silent auction with a retail value of $95. I bid on it but didn’t win. |
![120414_RBG_sale_table1 120414_RBG_sale_table1](//lh3.ggpht.com/-RD9kD3X6uow/T4sRZm8NQHI/AAAAAAAAQeE/NaWhQ_gWegQ/120414_RBG_sale_table1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Several plants of interest here: LEFT: Echeveria ‘Dark Knight’, one of the darkest echeveria cultivars MIDDLE: Mangave ‘Bloodspot’ (these were small but beautiful specimens, but I already have two) 2ND FROM RIGHT: Agave bracteosa ‘Monterrey Frost’ (I’d been wanting one for years and picked the largest) RIGHT: Echeveria ‘Topsy Turvy’ (already have one)
|
![120414_RBG_Agave-franzosini 120414_RBG_Agave-franzosini](//lh4.ggpht.com/-J-K995_d3ZA/T4sRcOw0zKI/AAAAAAAAQeU/wxsF3T7r6jA/120414_RBG_Agave-franzosini_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
More agaves, including the ever impressive Agave franzosinii, one of the largest agave species (to 8ft tall x 10ft wide) |
![120414_RBG_agave_table 120414_RBG_agave_table](//lh3.ggpht.com/-sB4tTrKDWGY/T4sRelCxg7I/AAAAAAAAQek/36RvGlUxvNo/120414_RBG_agave_table_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Smaller agaves, including ever popular and beautiful ‘Blue Glow’ on the right |
![120414_RBG_Agave-bovicornuta_01 120414_RBG_Agave-bovicornuta_01](//lh4.ggpht.com/-eZOQSe3GA7Y/T4sRgs0-5BI/AAAAAAAAQe0/EIpFVI2CJEc/120414_RBG_Agave-bovicornuta_01_thum.jpg?imgmax=800) |
One of my favorite agaves, Agave bovicornuta. Check out the cinnamon-colored spines! |
![120414_RBG_Mangave-Macho-Mocha 120414_RBG_Mangave-Macho-Mocha](//lh6.ggpht.com/-T0z9hkod1Z8/T4sRjG5qVhI/AAAAAAAAQfE/GY1sYJOShTk/120414_RBG_Mangave-Macho-Mocha_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Mangave ‘Macho Mocha’ |
![120414_RBG_sale_table_Aloe-pratensis Sedum-dendroideum 120414_RBG_sale_table_Aloe-pratensis Sedum-dendroideum](//lh4.ggpht.com/-ai4GUMhxPNY/T4sRlrm2LAI/AAAAAAAAQfU/pOk7p0K5NxE/120414_RBG_sale_table_Aloe-pratensis%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Aloe pratensis and Sedum dendroideum |
![120414_RBG_sale_table2 120414_RBG_sale_table2](//lh3.ggpht.com/-P4T1lccUDtE/T4sRnydYIDI/AAAAAAAAQfk/ikkvpjSnPAA/120414_RBG_sale_table2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Sedums and echeverias against the backdrop of what might be Agave franzosinii |
![120414_RBG_Coreopsis-gigantea 120414_RBG_Coreopsis-gigantea](//lh3.ggpht.com/-vIv2SqOmR2c/T4sRqHDbQ3I/AAAAAAAAQf0/P07G7Pcjhk8/120414_RBG_Coreopsis-gigantea_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Coreopsis gigantea, a Southern California native. They had at least a half a dozen 2-gallon plants when I got there, and within 30 minutes they’d all been snatched up. I grabbed one, too—hard to resist at $12 for such a rare plant (I paid more than that for a plant half that size at Cactus Jungle recently). |
![120414_RBG_sale_table3 120414_RBG_sale_table3](//lh4.ggpht.com/-g5VGvWUGe1s/T4sRswJBKwI/AAAAAAAAQgE/fMw91rqsElk/120414_RBG_sale_table3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
I can’t remember what the theme of this table was but I was fascinated by the alien-looking fuzzy things… |
![120414_RBG_Salvia-argentea 120414_RBG_Salvia-argentea](//lh3.ggpht.com/-pfFnJA6YCzM/T4sRu0C8W7I/AAAAAAAAQgU/99NYLyMFsb4/120414_RBG_Salvia-argentea_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
…which turned out to be Salvia argentea, a Mediterranean native |
![120414_RBG_bouqet 120414_RBG_bouqet](//lh5.ggpht.com/-S-Nhn7AnYxk/T4sRxHuJ3aI/AAAAAAAAQgk/rdjBzkHGdMU/120414_RBG_bouqet_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
I like unexpected touches of beauty, like this bouquet sitting on a chair for no real reason |
![120414_RBG_sale_table4 120414_RBG_sale_table4](//lh4.ggpht.com/-klG6MvNV61I/T4sRztPWIxI/AAAAAAAAQg0/K8rlvZ7ISL4/120414_RBG_sale_table4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Aeniums, irises and Senecio mandraliscae (the blue plants on the ground) |
![120414_RBG_Aeonium-balsamiferum_01 120414_RBG_Aeonium-balsamiferum_01](//lh6.ggpht.com/-Q0WCeijLfV0/T4sR16xr8mI/AAAAAAAAQhE/CWWOg_EFA_Y/120414_RBG_Aeonium-balsamiferum_01_t.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Aeonium balsamiferum |
![120414_RBG_aeoniums 120414_RBG_aeoniums](//lh4.ggpht.com/-bvSi-FIU3QI/T4sR4GuQT3I/AAAAAAAAQhU/eOmsivHIPJ4/120414_RBG_aeoniums_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Aeonium undulatum and Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ |
![120414_RBG_cactus_table 120414_RBG_cactus_table](//lh6.ggpht.com/-_VeOZpeqSMA/T4sR6HoSc1I/AAAAAAAAQhk/WmZCaHOX7cM/120414_RBG_cactus_table_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
One of several cactus tables |
![120414_RBG_Leuchtenbergia-principis 120414_RBG_Leuchtenbergia-principis](//lh6.ggpht.com/-vnizjjRq9vM/T4sR8aCtsxI/AAAAAAAAQh0/9nuMlE8Y00A/120414_RBG_Leuchtenbergia-principis_.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Agave cactus (Leuchtenbergia principis) for $10, a very good deal (but I already have one) |
![120414_RBG_cactus_table2 120414_RBG_cactus_table2](//lh4.ggpht.com/-QjWIAkiP92w/T4sR_O0o-YI/AAAAAAAAQiE/K1zXjmxRkF0/120414_RBG_cactus_table2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
In previous sales, the tables were set up in a small section of the garden near the Folly, the entrance structure. This time, the tables were spread out through most of the garden, which created a sense of discovery as you walked along the meandering paths. |
![120414_RBG_looking_towards_Folly 120414_RBG_looking_towards_Folly](//lh5.ggpht.com/-_Q1sjGYJ_pM/T4sSB3aOyvI/AAAAAAAAQiU/B860CNvART8/120414_RBG_looking_towards_Folly_thu.jpg?imgmax=800) |
View towards the garden entrance (next to the twin palm trees) |
![1120414_RBG_pano1 1120414_RBG_pano1](//lh3.ggpht.com/-XZe5OQ-mblk/T4sSEZoyBBI/AAAAAAAAQik/05zBYDCpMGI/1120414_RBG_pano1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Panorama of the shade structure in the center of the garden that protects plants like echeverias, aeoniums, Agave attentuata, etc. which prefer some shade in the hot summer. In the winter, this structure is enclosed to provide protection from frost and rain. |
![120414_RBG_sale_table5 120414_RBG_sale_table5](//lh3.ggpht.com/-dE-wTkvADgM/T4sSG2wMeYI/AAAAAAAAQi0/y0zJ_rWShZM/120414_RBG_sale_table5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
View of the shade structure from a different angle |
![120414_RBG_barrel_cacti 120414_RBG_barrel_cacti](//lh3.ggpht.com/-QLGqFmoztpE/T4sSJV6aktI/AAAAAAAAQjE/3ccowqjZOWQ/120414_RBG_barrel_cacti_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Cactus garden, with mature specimens of ferocactus in the foreground |
![120414_RBG_pond 120414_RBG_pond](//lh3.ggpht.com/-VXJ_P48bZic/T4sSL_jQgOI/AAAAAAAAQjU/3t9WAZgics0/120414_RBG_pond_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Small pond near the garden entrance |
![120414_RBG_bottle_tree sale_table 120414_RBG_bottle_tree sale_table](//lh5.ggpht.com/-LMYKDD-7nPo/T4sSORocwpI/AAAAAAAAQjk/k318A-jOsmg/120414_RBG_bottle_treesale_table_thu.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Large Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) |
![120414_RBG_hypertufa_bowl 120414_RBG_hypertufa_bowl](//lh5.ggpht.com/-vJalKzMisBc/T4sSQUvofgI/AAAAAAAAQj0/U4LjANLaqzU/120414_RBG_hypertufa_bowl_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Aeonium arrangement in a hypertufa container |
![120414_RBG_echeverias 120414_RBG_echeverias](//lh5.ggpht.com/-RZTTgPeXGTw/T4sSSwWCZ4I/AAAAAAAAQkE/h5BYze_XVgM/120414_RBG_echeverias_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Fancy echeverias and a variety of container gardens in the lath house at the garden entrance |
![120414_RBG_glass_planters 120414_RBG_glass_planters](//lh3.ggpht.com/-4sqbTZ5JXJo/T4sSVBW_dfI/AAAAAAAAQkU/aBcUeUBHK6E/120414_RBG_glass_planters_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
I really like these small dish gardens and bought one as a gift |
![120414_RBG_abalone_shell 120414_RBG_abalone_shell](//lh6.ggpht.com/-HeSiwNiBaXA/T4sSXOHu0jI/AAAAAAAAQkk/pGGmxH-IeCA/120414_RBG_abalone_shell_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Container garden in a bonsai dish |
![120414_RBG_vertical_panel1 120414_RBG_vertical_panel1](//lh5.ggpht.com/-7LfzSec87SM/T4sSZhJD7cI/AAAAAAAAQk0/W6SdB5HyeiU/120414_RBG_vertical_panel1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Succulent picture frames in various sizes… |
![120414_RBG_vertical_panel2 120414_RBG_vertical_panel2](//lh4.ggpht.com/-m28zF9vAQT4/T4sSbHE89sI/AAAAAAAAQlE/5RAX8IDi3qY/120414_RBG_vertical_panel2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800) |
…and orientations |
![120414_RBG_succulent_frame 120414_RBG_succulent_frame](//lh4.ggpht.com/-Q2i-SukBZQ4/T4sSdWdrD-I/AAAAAAAAQlU/8FX5ShuE4RU/120414_RBG_succulent_frame_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
These weren’t cheap but there are quite a few plants packed in there |
![120414_RBG_entrance 120414_RBG_entrance](//lh5.ggpht.com/-uGmABsGK4sI/T4sSf1L2JSI/AAAAAAAAQlk/BvdQtphmCQA/120414_RBG_entrance_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Main entrance at the Folly. People could leave their purchases here and bring their cars around for loading. At the left is the membership table, the tables on the right (barely visible) are the cashiers where you pay for your plant purchases. |
So what did I buy? In addition to the three plants below, I also bought a couple of small dish gardens as gifts, a white-flowered catkin grevillea (Grevillea synapheae), and nice-sized Ferocactus latispinus already planted in a nice terracotta pot.
![120414_RBG_Coreopsis-gigantea_bought 120414_RBG_Coreopsis-gigantea_bought](//lh5.ggpht.com/-NEifYQd_sHU/T4sSiH8BYFI/AAAAAAAAQl0/kob1AjTfO3Q/120414_RBG_Coreopsis-gigantea_bought_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Coreopsis gigantea |
![120414_RBG_Agave-bracteosa-Monterey-Frost 120414_RBG_Agave-bracteosa-Monterey-Frost](//lh6.ggpht.com/-x6nvt5gunXQ/T4sSjieQYTI/AAAAAAAAQmE/95NFSU5o7H8/120414_RBG_Agave-bracteosa-Monterey-Frost_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Agave bracteosa ‘Monterrey Frost’ |
![120414_RBG_Aloe-capitata-var-quartziticola 120414_RBG_Aloe-capitata-var-quartziticola](//lh3.ggpht.com/-z4Xoaw1ekh8/T4sSlRtC7dI/AAAAAAAAQmU/i1M8LcK4xjs/120414_RBG_Aloe-capitata-var-quartziticola_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800) |
Aloe capitata var. quartziticola This rare aloe was not part of the sale but I asked one of the docents and he found one (the last one!) in the nursery. He said that it wasn’t an offset of their own plants but that it came from UC Botanical Garden. Loree, if mine ever has babies, you can have one. |
If these photos piqued your interest, RBG will have another plant sale on Saturday, July 21, from 9am (members only) / 10am (public) to 3pm.
During my visit yesterday, I also took a lot of plant photos not related to the sale. Click here to view them.
Soo many goodies! I would have probably dashed around first if I went on that fair, then take photos later on after I've finished shopping. Agave 'Royal Spine' is a stunner, and well done on getting a Monterrey Frost :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't see any 'Royal Spine' for sale, just that one stunning specimen in the silent auction. But I'm happy I found a 'Monterrey Frost'. It's a beaut for sure.
DeleteWonderful sale and report, thanks Gerhard! And you have no idea how happy I am to read that you scored a Aloe capitata var. quartzicola as the kind Denise of A Growing Obsession managed to grab me one recently at a nursery down in L.A...funny within days of each other we both acquired a much desired plant.
ReplyDeleteLoree, this is too much of a coincidence to be random. The plant gods are smiling on us for sure!
DeleteMy quartzicola is kind of small as you can see, and it isn't as glaucous as the ones at RBG, but I'm hoping that will come as it matures. Have you received yours yet?
I'll pamper it until it's a little bigger, then I'll find a great spot for it in our big succulent bed.
No haven't got mine yet, she just picked it over the weekend. No doubt in your climate yours will grow fast! Thank you for the eventual pup offer, you are very kind. BTW try Flora Grubb for the Royal Spine.
DeleteP.S. Am I the only one who thinks these giant coreopsis are Ć¼ber cool?
ReplyDeleteUm, I've loved them and killed them here in Davis. Don't know what i did wrong. Annie's Annuals has them.
ReplyDeleteRobin, I went to Annie's on Saturday as well and saw trays of Coreopsis gigantea there, but they were quite small. Being native to the coastal ranges of Southern California and Baja, they probably don't like our heat too much. I'm going to keep mine protected from the hot afternoon sun. Knock on wood...
DeleteCongratulations on your loot and with the coreopsis at a bargain price to boot.
ReplyDeleteI love a good plant sale, especially when the proceeds go to a great organization!
DeleteLooks like you had such a great day and came home with lots of great loot! Those plants are going to look awesome in your garden!
ReplyDeleteCandy, you would have loved it! There's always the July 21 sale, and another one in October.
Delete