Ben Rogers and Dennis Turrin Gardens, Clayton CA

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October 9 - Two Meetings in Concord starting at 11:00 AM through to 4:00 PM. Palms for sale from Dwight Ries    

 

Northern California Palm Society Meetings Potluck and Auction on Sunday, October 9th.

 

Please note, the palmsnc.org web site is currently down. We are trying to get it reinstated as quickly as possible. Please forward this email to anyone who is interested in attending as they will not be able to get the information from the website.

 

Dear Palm Friends,

 

Here are the announcements for Sunday, 10/9/16, when we will visit two gardens in Concord – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Don’t miss this “two for one” opportunity!

 

As an added bonus, rare palms donated by a private grower will be available for sale.

 

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Dennis Turrin Garden

Date: Sunday October 9^th 2016

Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location:  105 Roslyn Dr. Concord 94519

 

We are fortunate to have an additional garden open to us!  Early arrivals will want to visit Dennis’ garden, just a few blocks from Ben Rodgers.  The Turrin Garden features Brahea elegans; Brahea decumbens;  Brahia armata; Brahea  Clara in first bloom; Parajubaea sunkha with its first flowers; Parajubaea Torallyi with close to 4' trunk;  a Sabal uresana close to trunking; and hybrids including a Jubaea X Queen with 2.5 foot trunk.  Freeway exit going north off the 242 is Clayton Rd.  Approximately 2 miles is Roslyn Dr. Turn right.  As soon as you turn on Roslyn you will see the palms. 

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Ben Rogers Garden

Date: Sunday October 9th, 2016
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Location:  1868 Camino Estrada, Clayton, CA

 

Ben Rogers’ garden is even younger than Neil Miner’s - outside of a large Queen and a Canary Date Palm planted in the 2006-ish time frame, everything has gone in ground from 2013-on.  The yard was essentially a blank slate when Ben and his wife Dene (she’s from South Africa) moved into the house in the mid-2000’s.  At that time only some large pepper trees dotted all around the yard existed (which were needless to say, removed.)

 

Ben has developed an avid interest in hybrids, including many of Patrick Schaffer’s creations, and other sources.  These hybrids are being strategically placed in colder parts of the yard to try and help build on an already favorable micro climate in the East Bay hills.  Additionally, there are many, many experiments being conducted - including quite a few of the hardier Dypsis, with some having been in ground since that 2013 time frame.  When you see Ben’s yard, you will also notice that he’s a huge fan of the Archontophoenix genus, as well as “Coco Queen” or “Super Parrot” hybrids.  The garden also features many other genus - Parajubaea, Beccariophoenix, Syagrus (besides Queens), Butia, Howea, and more.  A more recent passion has been the accumulation of various cycads - which have been helpful in some areas of dry, poor, soil and a desire to cut back on irrigation.  There is also a small greenhouse where Ben attempts to germinate seeds, and wages a battle against damping off!  

 

 Currently, Ben reports there are over 300 palms and cycads planted!

  

Directions- Ben’s garden is around 7 miles from the 680/24 interchange down in Walnut Creek; from the Ygnacio Valley exit, you take Ygnacio Valley Road all the way up into the East Bay hills, and continue past Clayton Road.  Ygnacio turns into Kirker Pass after Clayton Road, and you take a right at the next stoplight around a 1/4 of a mile down, on Concord Blvd (just pass the Safeway.)  You take a left at the stop sign another 1/4 mile down or so, on to Camino Estrada.  Ben’s residence is at 1868 Camino Estrada, around 1/4 mile up on the right - be assured you will see the palms and recognize the location!

Please bring a potluck item for the potluck and consider bringing a palm donation for our palm auction.