The Silent Auction will open at 9AM on Sunday, September 25 and close promptly at 10:30 AM. You must be present to win.
Welcome to the Fall 2011 Silent Auction! There will be approximately 30 plants in the Auction. We will illustrate many of them on this page, but there may be last minute additions on the day of the sale. We will add to this page several times each week. Check back for plant descriptions and additional listings. The Garden reserves the right to remove plants from the auction depending upon their condition at the time of the sale.
Protea cynaroides ‘Mini King’
‘Mini King’ Dwarf King Protea
Southern Africa
A dwarf version of one of the most striking proteas, this plant grows to about 3 feet tall and wide. Spectacular pink flowers are produced from fall through spring. This plant wants a well drained site in full sun. It prefers acid soil and is drought tolerant. Protect from frost and temperatures below 28 degrees.
Austrocylindropuntia subulata
Eve’s Pin Cactus or Cane Cholla
Cactaceae
With a tongue-twisting technical name, this specimen will look stunning in the right landscape. A large, tree-like cactus, it is related to the familiar prickly pear. It wants full sun in well drained soil and will take light freezes. It will do well in a container.
Euphorbia lactea variegated crest
Family - Euphorbiaceae
Hybrid Origin
A beautiful crested form of a creamy-white and green Euphorbia, this choice specimen is perhaps derived from the variety ‘While Ghost.’ Unlike many crested euphorbias, this plant is not grafted, but rather it is growing well on its own roots. Grow as a houseplant or in a greenhouse. This plant wants sun and should be kept on the dry side during the winter.
Begonia ‘Paul Hernandez’ – Paul Hernandez Shrub Begonia
Family - Begoniaceae
Hybrid Origin
This large (note the human in the picture for scale) and bold begonia is perfect for growing outdoors in the Bay Area. Particularly useful in warmer parts of the East Bay and in San Francisco, this plant is perfectly hardy outdoors as long as it does not actually freeze, though some sources say it can take a light frost. Grow in dappled or light shade, perhaps under tree cover for protection from frost. The large, highly textured leaves are olive-green on top and red on the reverse. It is easy to see its two parents in the cross: B. luxurians and B. gehrtii. This plant will reported reach 8 feet, and its highly lobed leaves can be two feet across. This plant produces upright clusters of small white flowers with white stamens. It wants regular water, and can easily be grown as a house plant, if you have the room for it!
Echeveria secunda var. glauca ‘Compton Carousel’
Family - Crassulaceae
Hybrid Origin
A plant that we a have offered only once before, this beautiful variegated Echeveria was introduced by Southfield Nursery in the UK, and won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Merit. The plant is typical of the species, but with strongly variegated foliage. The leaves are grey-green with a broad cream/white margin and a pink marginal edge, though this particular specimen will need more light to display its pink edges. It will grow outdoors in full sun and is quite drought tolerant once established. As with other Echeveria spp. protect from freezing. Can be grown indoors or in a greenhouse as well.
Zingiber malaysiana ‘Midnight’
Family - Zingiberaceae
Malaysia
This stunning ginger has reddish-brown to nearly black leaves. Grow as a house plant or in a greenhouse as this plant wants it warm: leaves will discolor under about 50 degrees. It wants regular water and part or filtered shade. The flowers are reportedly golden, aging to pink, but we have yet to see this unusual ginger bloom.
Metrosideros excelsa ‘Gala’ - Variegated New Zealand Christmas Tree or Pohutukawa
Family - Myrtaceae
New Zealand
The bold gold and green leaves of this small tree highlight the vivid crimson flowers
produced as the tree matures. Native to the coastline of the North Island of New Zealand,
the standard form of this tree is known as the New Zealand Christmas tree because it
blooms during the austral summer in the southern hemisphere. Also known by its Maori
name, Pohutukawa, the non-variegated form is a popular street tree in San Francisco. The
variegated form is much smaller, staying under 10 feet in height. Wants regular water
and full sun, and while it will tolerate light freezing it does not want too much heat. The
red blossoms are magnets for hummingbirds and insects.
Deppea splendens
Family - Rubiaceae
Mexico
A lovely specimen of a very choice shrub, Deppea splendens is thought to be extinct
in its native habitat in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico. The long, dangling, tubular
yellow flowers emerge from red sepals, and are produced in later summer and fall. This
plant wants some shade and frost protection. The flowering plant illustrated is a mature
specimen in the collection.
Sarracenia hybrid – Hybrid North American Pitcher Plant
Family - Sarraceniaceae
Hybrid Origin
This hybrid North American pitcher plant is of unknown parentage. This is a mid-sized
variety, with beautiful golden pitchers with red veins. Keep moist and grow in full sun.
It is fully hardy outdoors in the Bay Area. The golden foliage looks great in the bluish
decorative pot.
Chamaedorea tuerckheimii
Family - Arecaceae
Veracruz, Mexico and Guatemala
Reaching only a few feet in height, this tropical gem is one the smallest palms in the world. Growing in warm, humid Veracruz Mexico this plant can be challenging to grow. It wants a warm and humid interior space - preferably a greenhouse, but it would be well worth trying in the house.
Aloe plicatilis - Fan Aloe
Family - Liliaceae (Asphodelaceae)
Southern Africa
This fantastic specimen aloe always draws attention in the landscape. The smooth trunks are tipped with fans of bluish leaves. Orange blossom spikes arise from each fan during the winter or spring. This plant wants full sun, well drained soil, and limited supplemental water. Note the spectacular specimens of this plant in the Southern African Collection.
Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera - Mediterranean Blue Fan Palm
Family - Arecaceae
Northern Africa
This hardy palm forms a small clump and reaches five or six feet, although it grows very slowly. It wants full sun and well drained soil. It tolerates hot conditions but is one of the hardiest palms in the greater Bay Area.
Euphorbia decaryi
Family - Euphorbiaceae
Madagascar
A lovely succulent from the dry tropical and subtropical forests and scrublands of Madagascar, this plant is threatened in the wild by loss of habitat. Grow indoors or put it out during the summer. It wants shade to light shade, with a minimum temperature of about 60 degrees. This lovely specimen represents the small-leaved variety of the species, and it is growing in a hand-made pot by a local ceramicist.