Johanna Silver, Garden Editor of Sunset Magazine, will talk about her new book and the experience of working with Ruth Bancroft and her legacy of dry garden plants. Dry-gardening pioneer Ruth Bancroft grew a private landscape so remarkable, it spurred the founding of the Garden Conservancy. Today Bancroft’s masterpiece has become one of America’s most acclaimed public gardens. What makes this waterwise haven so noteworthy – and so relevant for today’s home gardener? At its heart, the Ruth Bancroft Garden is a testament to fearless planting. A lover of succulents, Ruth Bancroft is a curious, experimental plant collector. It is this drive that shaped the garden into a wondrous model of xeriscaping. Succulents, wildflowers, cacti and trees come together in a collage of colors, textures, and shapes. As low-water realities dominate an increasing number of gardens, Bancroft’s example shows us how dry can be not only bold, but breathtaking.
About the Book
In this lush guide, Johanna Silver offers behind-the-scenes secrets every gardener will appreciate. Revealed here are many of Ruth’s techniques, tips, and plant favorites. Evocative photographs include images of the garden’s evolution, glimpses of Bancroft throughout her life, and stunning plant profiles by noted garden photographer Marion Brenner.
Johanna Silver is a San Francisco-based writer, editor, and garden designer and is the garden editor at Sunset. Her writing has earned her a James Beard Award in 2009 and an ASME award for General Excellence in 2014.
COST: $25
Register at magc.org or call us at (415)455-5260