I first heard of the rock/crevice garden at the RBG via Gerhard's blog and a post he wrote last November, then Tracy visited and shared more photos. Their visits left me wondering how exactly the rocks would blend into the garden as a whole, would they look out of place? 
The answer is no, they do not.
They look perfectly at home where they're tucked in, and there are so many details to soak up. These first three photos are of the same area, getting closer and closer to the Mangave 'Praying Hands'.
The different rock shapes and they way they were laid, thin slabs on their sides...
...larger, thicker pieces close together with plantable crevices...
...they all made for really interesting visual texture as your eyes scan over the area.
This addition to the garden is the work of Walker Young, RB Garden Manager. The RBG website says this about Walker: "Walker joined the staff at RBG in January 2012 and since then has come to function as custodian of the Garden’s aesthetic. He acts as point person in the collaborative process of preserving, renovating, and rejuvenating Mrs. Bancroft’s beds, taking particular joy in sculpting undulating mounds and arranging rocks in the Garden to form a unifying backdrop and compositional foil to the Garden’s plant collection." I ran into Walker the morning of our visit and got to chat with him a bit about the process, it sounds like he had a lot of fun putting it all together.
Bromeliad's in a crevice garden!
One small gripe, the white plant labels distract from (and cheapen) the garden, I hope a better system is in the works.
Look at that fabulous rock mound! It looks like it's always been there.
Okay, on to the rest of my photos from that day. I'm ending my coverage with a few random plant close up's that didn't make it into Wednesday's post, but that I didn't want to not use. Names only if I am fairly certain, otherwise, plants as art...
Agave 'Blue Glow'
Agave 'Royal Spine'
Templetonia retusa and Acacia glaucoptera
The above three photos were of this agave (Mangave?) bloom spike that bent over to ground level. An unusual perspective...
Little baby plants forming within the base of the agave...
Agave nickelsiae
Drying up, bloomed out version.
Leucadendron 'Ebony'
And in the gift shop/nursery, Oxalis palmifrons.
If you have the chance to visit the Ruth Bancroft Garden do it!
The Bit at the End
Check out this variegated loquat from Plant Delights. I can't decide if I love it, or if it's a touch too much.
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I agree wholeheartedly, crevice gardens can feel so man-made (to me). This one feels like a natural rocky outcrop that plants found their way in to. The size probably helps, haha. Why have I been hesitating to add Templetonia retusa to my garden, how stupid. Gorgeous photos! Thanks for the links, I reread both and was reminded of a very fun day.
ReplyDeleteYa that Templetonia retusa was pretty amazing, you should definitely add one!
DeleteI do like the mix of rock shapes, not just all thin slabs. A lot has changed since I last visited, gotta get back!
ReplyDeleteIndeed you do! I like the truly thin slabs, when they're arranged really tightly and look like larger rock that's split. Once they get to an inch or larger, and there's more than an inch or an inch and a half between them then they start to loose some of their appeal to me.
DeleteI agree with the other comments! Different rock sizes and raised mounds or beds give the areas a more natural shape. Love all those gorgeous agaves, and palms. The textures of the plant leaves make everything so much more interesting!
ReplyDeleteHave you been to the garden Jeanne? It's a good one, so many fabulous plants.
DeleteOkay, okay, getting outside today to pot up Oxalis palmifrons (thank you again) and Zephyranthes citrina (a reminder of NM via Pacific Bulb Society). Let's see how I do. And, plant tags. I find them all distracting, with the clear ones at Heronswood being the least annoying. Eventually, our phones will replace it all. I love rock gardens - this one is exceptionally well done. I wish I could have similar plants in mine!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have great luck with the Oxalis palmifrons! I like the clear ones at Heronswood, but wish they were maybe half as big.
DeleteThis particular rock garden is done so incredibly well.
ReplyDeleteTo be able to grow pony-tail palms and garsteria outdoors... dreamy.
Agave nickelsiae... looks good even when dry!
Chavli
Dreamy for sure! And yes, I find Agave nickelsiae to be extraordinarily beautiful.
DeleteI absolutely LOVE the combination of the Templetonia retusa and Acacia glaucoptera, neither of which I'm at all familiar with.
ReplyDeleteMe either! There are so many plans in this garden that I admire without knowing what they are specifically.
DeleteThe crevice garden at the RBG is the largest of its kind in California that I know of. As such, I'm very curious to see how it will age. I think it'll be considered a pioneering work of garden design in our summer-dry climate.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the regular updates that you'll provide!
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