Five other noteworthy Bay Area gardens to explore

UC BOTANICAL GARDEN AT BERKELEY

Established in 1890, the Botanical Garden covers 34 acres in what is described as one of the most diverse landscapes in the world. The collection includes more than 10,000 types of plants, many rare or endangered. The plants are arranged geographically into nine regions, from Australasia to South Africa. The garden also offers special events, classes and plant sales as well as live concerts in its redwood grove amphitheater.

Details: Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily by reservation ($7-$15) at 200 Centennial Drive in Berkeley; https:// botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/.

RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN

The Ruth Bancroft Garden is a celebration of succulents and other dry-land plants. It was established in 1971 on a prolific family fruit and nut orchard in Walnut Creek, when Ruth Bancroft decided, against the advice of some, to plant her extensive collection of succulents in the ground. The garden now covers 3.5 acres and includes many unique and diverse specimens from around the world as well as California natives.

Details: Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday at 1552 Bancroft Way, Walnut Creek; www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/. Admission is $5-$12

UC SANTA CRUZ ARBORETUM AND BOTANIC GARDEN

The 135-acre garden and arboretum feature more than 300 collections of plants from Mediterranean climates, including conifers, primitive angiosperms and bulb-forming plant families from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and California — collections that include a eucalyptus grove, acacias and otherworldly proteas.

Details: The arboretum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 1156 High St., Santa Cruz; https://arboretum.ucsc.edu/. Admission is $5-$10.