Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Ruth Bancroft Garden


It was already hot when the our San Francisco Garden Blogger Fling bus pulled into the parking lot at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek. Being a Northern California gardener I had already been to all of the public spaces we visited during Fling...except for this one. And being a succulent enthusiast I was pretty excited; I was finally checking this garden off my list of must-sees. 


 As I exited the bus the heat seemed to be ramping up but I began to walk the paths to see what the garden held. My first realization was that there were many more cacti than I had expected. I had only seen a few photos of the garden before this visit and it was much drier and spare looking than the impression I had gotten from those photos. 


The more I walked the dry paths the hotter it felt. I suppose the landscaping added to the feeling of being in a desert and we were visiting during a bit of a heat wave. I felt like I was planning my explorations according to which direction promised the most shade.


But despite the heat there was much beauty to be found...and luckily I managed to take photos. Because it was only after I started looking at photos when I returned home that I was able to fully appreciate the beauty in the midst of starkness.


Much of that beauty was sculptural. 




 But the blooms that were there were amazing. This one deserves a second look!


7 comments:

Cindy, MCOK said...

That last photo is stunning! I enjoyed the sculpture exhibit even more than I did the garden.

Gail said...

Leslie, Your flower photos are beautiful...I especially like the last, but the bee visiting the cactus flower is pretty cute!

Helen/patientgardener said...

As you know I didnt enjoy this garden as I was hot and grumpy! However I think if it had been a little cooler I would have appreciated the forms and flowers you have highlighted. Your photos are great

Vicki @ Playin' Outside said...

What they already said ... amazing images.

Pam/Digging said...

I was sweaty but, like you, happy to explore this garden, and the heat made it seem even more "of the desert." Like Cindy, I really enjoyed the sculpture show and thought the bright colors and strong sculptural shapes enhanced the largely evergreen, architectural garden. I really loved that curving shade structure for the plants too.

LindaCTG said...

Love your pictures! I missed that garden, since I had to return to equally hot Austin. Wish I'd had a chance to talk with you more!

sharon said...

wish I could have seen the plant that white on was one...is it an spi?