Ganna Walska Lotusland

• What is Lotusland?
  • Lotusland is a 37-acre botanical garden located in Montecito, California. It was originally the private estate of Ganna Walska, who was known for her dramatic and whimsical approach to garden design.
• When did Lotusland become a public garden?
  • After Ganna Walska’s death in 1984, the estate was transformed into a nonprofit botanical garden and was officially opened to the public in 1993.
• Why is it called Lotusland?
  • The garden is named after the abundant lotus flowers that bloom prolifically in the summer.
• How many plants does Lotusland have?
  • Lotusland is home to more than 3,000 plants from all over the world, displayed in a variety of unique gardens.
• What types of gardens can visitors explore?
  • The gardens include:
    • Bromeliad and fern gardens
    • Aloe gardens
    • Cactus and succulent gardens
    • Serene Japanese Garden
    • Stunning ‘blue’ garden
• What are some unique features of Lotusland?
  • Visitors can also find:
    • A 25-foot round horticultural clock featuring the signs of the zodiac.
    • The Theatre Garden.
    • Fanciful topiary animals scattered throughout the garden.

• What is the Australian Garden at Lotusland?
  • The Australian Garden was designed by landscape architect Sydney Baumgartner in 1993. It features large masses of unusual plants, all native to Australia, reflecting Madame Walska’s distinctive landscaping style.
  • Characteristic plant species include:
    • Spear lilies
    • Dramatic bottle trees
    • Grass trees
    • Acacias, Myrtles, and Grevillea
• What can visitors see in the Aloe Garden?
  • The Aloe Garden features over 140 kinds of aloes, which are succulent plants native to Africa and Madagascar.
  • Notable species include:
    • Aloe barberae
    • Aloe ramosissima
    • Aloe dichotoma
  • The garden also includes unusual plants such as:
    • Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea stricta)
    • Grugru palm (Acrocomia aculeate)
  • A unique feature of the garden is the ‘abalone shell pond’ with a white bottom, which has two cascading fountains made from giant clam shells.
• What are the highlights of the Japanese Garden?
  • The Japanese Garden is home to:
    • Azaleas
    • Camellias
    • Japanese maples (Acer palmatum)
    • Several species of pine, all pruned in the traditional niwaki style.
  • Additional features include:
    • Bronze statues of cranes, ducks, egrets, and kingfishers.
    • A collection of stone lanterns.
    • A tranquil pond with huge koi swimming in its shallow waters.
    • A small Shinto shrine and a wisteria arbor surrounded by Japanese and coast redwood trees, adding an extra Oriental touch.

• What is the Blue Garden?
  • The Blue Garden features plants with silvery to blue-gray foliage, creating a striking color palette throughout the garden.
  • Notable plant species include:
    • Blue Atlas Cedar
    • Chilean Wine Palms
    • Mexican Blue Palm
    • Blue Fescue (used as ground cover)
  • Additional highlights include:
    • Two camphor trees native to China and Japan.
    • Bunya-bunya, Queensland kauri, and Hoop Pine.
    • Blue-green glass slag lining the pathways.
• What is the Theatre Garden?
  • The Theatre Garden was constructed in 1948 and features seating for more than 100 visitors on sandstone benches.
  • This whimsical garden is filled with ancient stone figures known as "grotesques", which Ganna Walska collected from Gallus, France after World War II.
  • The garden is surrounded by:
    • African boxwood trees
    • Fern pines
• What is featured in the Tropical Garden?
  • The Tropical Garden began as a collection of orchid cacti and evolved into a lush sanctuary.
  • Key elements of the garden include:
    • A rock-lined streambed
    • Masses of gingers
    • Ornamental and edible banana plants
    • Hanging baskets
• What are the newly restored water features?
  • The gardens include a newly restored water staircase and a scenic cypress allée.
  • Key features:
    • The cypress-lined brick walkway (allée) begins at the swimming pool and leads to an ornamental carved limestone wellhead.
    • The path follows a series of 14 water basins that flow into a large pleasure pond.
    • The pond is complete with a sailboat and an island, enhancing its picturesque setting.

• Where is Ganna Walska Lotusland located?
  • Ganna Walska Lotusland is located at 695 Ashley Road, Santa Barbara, California.
• Do visitors need to book in advance?
  • Yes, due to its location in a residential neighborhood, advance bookings are required to visit.
• When are tours offered?
  • Tours are available Wednesday through Saturday between February 15 and November 15.
  • Tour times are:
    • 10:00 AM
    • 1:30 PM
• What is the Visitor’s Center like?
  • Modeled after the historic bathhouse next to the Water Garden, the Spanish-style Visitor’s Center includes:
    • A pretty arbor covered with Australian tea trees.
    • A lotus motif tile fountain.
    • Tile benches for visitors.
  • The Visitor’s Center serves as the starting point for tours and houses:
    • Restrooms
    • The Garden Shop
• What educational programs does Lotusland offer?
  • Environmental Outreach Program – Designed for 4th graders, this program teaches basic botanical concepts and provides hands-on learning in the field.
  • Open Pathways Program – Offers customized tours and programs for individuals who may face economic, physical, or social disabilities that prevent them from visiting Lotusland.

Ganna Walska Lotusland, 695 Ashley Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, Phone: 805-969-3767, Map

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