The founder of Lotusland – Madame Ganna Walska

Madame Ganna Walska, a well-known Polish opera singer and socialite, purchased the Montecito, California estate in 1941 and spent the next 43 years creating Lotusland, which is now recognized as one of the ten best gardens in the world. The spectacular collections of exotic plants throughout the 37-acre property are a very personal expression of Walska’s penchant for the dramatic, the unexpected, and the whimsical. Lotusland is home to several extraordinary plant collections and around each corner there is the unexpected – a surprise of unique garden design and plant species. After her death in 1984, Lotusland became a nonprofit botanic garden and opened to the public in 1993. Our educational programs serve the Santa Barbara community and our innovative horticultural practices are shared with botanic gardens and garden-lovers around the world.

Flying through Lotusland botanical gardens movie

About Lotusland

Lotusland is a Botanic Garden located in Montecito, California. The gardens are a delight to all those who enjoy rare and exotic botanicals in an idyllic setting in the foothills of Santa Barbara. Visit the botanic garden by reservation only. Call 805.969.9990.

Lotusland is a globally reknowned (and locally treasured) 37-acre estate and botanic garden situated in the foothills of Montecito, California. It  is home to more than 3,000 different plants from around the world. The estate gardens were created by Madame Ganna Walska, who owned the property from 1941 until her death in 1984.  The fascinating life and career of Madame Ganna Walska culminated with 43 years of designing unusual display gardens with exotic plants. In her writings she described herself as “an enemy of the average” – truly a woman of unique accomplishments, philosophies and imagination. Lotusland  is home to several extraordinary collections including rare cycads, cacti, palms and euphorbias. Additional gardens feature ferns, aloes, lotuses, water lilies, bromeliads and cactus garden with more than 300 species.

Lotusland’s  philosophies addresses the ecology of the garden, employing management practices that promote the health of the individual plants and the botanic garden as a whole. Learn more about Building Sustainable Gardens.

Because Lotusland is a public botanic garden operating in a private, residential neighborhood, advance reservations are required. Tours are offered at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday between February 15 and November 15. Admission fee is charged. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 805-969-9990