Lotusland

Lotusland is a 37-acre estate with Mediterranean Revival architecture that contains multiple specialized garden sections. The property includes water features, cacti collections, a Japanese garden, and other themed planting areas that each focus on different plant types and regional gardening traditions.

Opera singer Madame Ganna Walska purchased the property in 1941 and began transforming it into a specialized botanical garden. She directed the development of the gardens throughout her life until her death in 1984, establishing the foundation that exists today.

The garden areas are named after their plant origins and design traditions, such as the Japanese garden and the succulent garden, reflecting how horticultural styles from different parts of the world are represented here. Walking through each section, visitors notice how the landscape and plantings shift to match these distinct cultural traditions.

Visitors need to arrange reservations in advance to access the gardens, which allows for organized tours of the property. The guided experiences typically last around two hours and provide a thorough walk through the different garden sections.

The cycad garden holds hundreds of specimens from nine different genera, making it one of the most complete collections of these ancient plants in North America. These primitive plant species are rarely assembled so comprehensively in one place, offering visitors a chance to see living examples of botanical history.

Location: Montecito

Architectural style: Mediterranean Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 34.44300,-119.65700

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02