If you follow me on other social media platforms you may have heard I made a quick trip to California last week to attend the media preview party for The Bold Dry Garden; a new book from Timber Press about The Ruth Bancroft Garden.
The book isn't out for another few weeks but those of us at the party received an advance copy, I've been pouring over mine and a review is on the way early next week. In the mean time I took so many photos that day I had enough for two posts...so here's the "just eye-candy" one. I couldn't let these go to waste!
Many thanks are due to Gerhard, of Succulents and More as he made the trip possible, by picking me up at the Sacramento airport late at night and letting me crash at his place...then driving us down to Walnut Creek the next day. It was a whirlwind trip of fabulous fun!
There are epic Agaves everywhere you look in this garden...
But also this. Sad, but reassuring to know even Botanical Gardens (with their professional staff) suffer infestations.
Enough chatter, how about if you just ogle the beauty? (I'll chime in when I have something "important" to say)...
This one had me thinking "he went that < way"
Pine tree litter! (again, the professionals suffer too)
Agave ovatifolia
Agave colorata, I believe?
Agave 'Blue Glow'
The bloom...
The base...
This maybe Agave flexispina...
Did I mention this was going to be a long post?
Well it is. Long, but short on plant names...as I was in a sort of happy zone where I was just floating around the garden absorbing the beauty.
This was actually my 3rd time visiting The Ruth Bancrft Garden.
The first time I visited I was so overwhelmed I posted in two parts (one here, two here) and my second visit took place during the 2013 Garden Bloggers Fling (here).
Puya blooms that have moved over to the dried side, but are still stunning.
Yes, I know...it does.
What's up with this one?
I should have asked. That bright green is fabulous on the tips.
Agave victoriae-reginae x macroacantha, or as I know it A.'Royal Spine'.
Gerhard posted much better images of this crazy fungus back in August. I never dreamt I'd be seeing in person! (this trip kind of came out of the blue)
The nursery/sales area has really expanded since my last visit. I am thrilled to see that many of the same plants Ruth planted, way back in the late 60's and early 70's, are being sold here, as well as others specifically bred by those who work at the garden and other dry-loving plants. Why not!? Especially if it supports the garden.
There's also an expanded selection of fun plantings in the sales area. This was the head of some metal creature...
And this wheel-barrow has so much personality why shouldn't it live on as a container?
What a sexy combination!
I believe this is Protea cynaroides 'Mini King'...
And this Agave (a parryi of some sort) became mine!
For only...
And it was already bare-root for hauling home! (which means it was recently dug out of the garden...and thus I will treasure it all the more).
Well heck, I don.t mind if I do...
Hope he put on some sunscreen, he's kind of pale to be showing off that much skin.
Obviously his heart belongs to Ruth.
And I want that magic fertilizer!
This one also came home with me, Tradescantia spathacea 'Sitara's Gold'. Something about it seemed vaguely Bromeliad-ish, although I need to keep it in the sun for best color.
Please come back next week for my take on The Bold Dry Garden, just maybe my favorite book of the year!
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.