Lotusland

Book a tour to see the gorgeous gardens at Lotusland in Montecito, 5-miles from Santa Barbara. This is one of the best gardens in California!

The 2-hour docent led tours start outside the Visitor Center, where there's also a fabulous gift shop. This 37-acre botanical garden is located inside a quiet neighborhood, so advanced reservations are required

History

The Lotusland gardens were the brainchild of socialite Madame Ganna Walska, who pursued an opera career and owned the famous Le Theater des Champs Elysees in Paris. Ganna Walska was her stage name. 

Madame Ganna commenced work on the garden in 1941, and continued up until her death in 1984.  Ganna would stroll the gardens in her later years, working closely with her team of gardeners.

What to see at Lotusland

Set aside 2 hours to see 23 gardens at Lotusland with different themes. Highlights including the stunning formal gardens like the Topiary Garden, Parterre Garden and Japanese Garden. You can also enter the lush, jungle-like world of the Tropical Garden and Bromeliad Garden. Another must-see is the Cycad Garden, with 3 species that are now extinct beyond this garden.

Ganna's mansion is visible from many vantage points in Lotusland, but not open for tours. This Spanish Colonial Revival style residence is now used for administration of the property. It was originally constructed in 1915 by the E.P. Gavit family.

10 best things to do at Lotusland

1. Lotusland Visitor Center.

Visitors must stop their car at the booth along the driveway, and provide evidence of an advance reservation. From here it's a short drive to the parking lot, where the Visitor Center becomes visible. A docent will then meet you at the Visitor Center for a 2 hour tour. You can also complete a self guided tour.

After completing the tour, you can spend time at the Lotusland Visitor Center to purchase high quality gifts, like pottery, plants, and books on Madame Ganna.

2. Topiary Garden.

The Topiary Garden is at the back of the Main House. Madame Ganna referred to this as her "horticultural zoo", with animals like a giraffe, dolphin, and gorilla. There's also some beautifully manicured chess pieces. The highlight is the 25-foot flower clock that was planted back in 1955. 

3. Tropical Garden.

Step inside the lush environs of the Tropical Garden at Lotusland, with towering palms and an impressive collection of orchid cacti, elephant ears and swiss cheese plants. The garden was planted in the 1970s.

4. Parterre Garden.

The Italian-style Parterre Garden at Lotusland has a beautiful rose garden and two fountains, framed by hedges.

Decorative red, brick walkways lead to the rear of the house.

The Moorish Star Fountain is a striking centerpiece.

Another fountain has a statue of Neptune, flanked by two Mermen.

5. Theater Garden.

The Theater Garden pays hommage to Madame Ganna's time as an opera singer. Look closely at the stone figurines based on drawings from a French 17th century artist. They are known as "Grotesques".

6. Bromeliad Garden.

This gorgeous garden has mysterious curtains of Spanish moss, and brightly colored Bromeliads in reds and oranges. Look up at the Rooster Grotto with the iron cast roosters.

11. Lemon Arbor.

Inhale the fragrance of lemons while strolling through the Lemon Arbor. There are a variety of fruits in the surrounding orchard, like apricots and plums.

12. Fern Garden.

The towering Australian Tree Ferns are the highlight of the Fern Garden, with a lush understory of begonia, irises and lillies. The pool was completed in 1972 by Madame Ganna, and intended for her niece. There's a beach on the edge of the pool, full of large clam shells.

13. Succulent Garden.

Stroll through the incredible Succulent Garden at Lotusland, with blue glass pieces lining the walkway. The Madagascar Palms are up to 20 feet high!

14. Japanese Garden.

The Japanese Garden at Lotusland was planted in the late 1960s. It has an has an enchanting setting on a reflection pond, with weeping willows and pedestrian bridges. A rock waterfall flows into a stream, and down into the reflection pond. There's also a scenic overlook at the highest point.

15. Palmeton Garden.

The Palmeton Garden was created in 2017, and is the newest garden at Lotusland. Below is a grove of Date Palm Trees.

16. Aloe Garden.

The Aloe Garden has an impressive 160 different types of Aloe Plants. The most prominent feature of this garden is the shallow pond, which used to be a wading pool. It's now surrounded by clams, and two cascading fountains made from giant clam shells.

17. Main House.

Madame Ganna's Main House is not open to the public, and is instead used for administrative offices. It was originally constructed in 1915 by the prominent E.P. Gavit family, who named it Cuesta Linda. They also added the perimeter wall, pool, pool house, and brick pathways.

Madame Ganna changed the name of the property to Lotusland, after she purchased it in 1941.

The single story Pavilion is adjacent to the house (below) and was constructed in 1925. Madame Ganna moved from the Main House to the Pavilion after Santa Barbara's 1925 earthquake, because she felt she'd be safer in a single story structure. 

18. Olive Allee.

The Olive Allee has rows of olive trees imported from Spain and France in the 1880s.  The rows of trees lead to an ornate fountain, that depicts a mythological sea creature. Some of the orchard trees are visible to the right.

A photo of Madame Ganna.

One of the gardeners that worked for Madame Ganna, has a photo of her on his phone, wandering through the gardens on her daily walk.