A Visit To Lotusland

Several years ago a group of friends spent a weekend in Carpenteria.  We wanted to tour Lotusland in Montecito, voted one of the 10 most beautiful gardens in the country, but were there during the off season and they were not conducting tours.  Lotusland is a private garden, 37 acres of succulents and many plant species native to California.  Fortunately, my mom and I were able to visit Lotusland on our recent Crystal Cruise.  Ron stayed aboard while we toured some really beautiful gardens.

What made it especially wonderful was our guide.  (sorry but I can't remember her first name.  Her last name was Green).  She was super knowledgeable on all the plants and the history of the gardens.  She told us stories about Madame Ganna Walska, the Polish opera singer, who bought the property in 1941 and oversaw much of the renovation herself.  The gardens have gone through extensive renovations over the years, surviving soil and beetle infestations.  The gardens contain many species of native plants, including large numbers of succulents.  It's a fascinating 90 minute tour that I recommend to anyone who loves plants and gardening, visiting the Santa Barbara area.  Reservations must be made in advance.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the tour, was learning about the life of Madame Ganna Walska.  She was a Polish opera singer of moderate talent.  She did, however, have a talent for marrying wealthy men who made Lotusland hers.  Among her husbands were Count d'Eingorn, Theos Bernard, Harry Gindell Mattheus and Harold McCormick (International Harvester).  There were affairs, divorces and lots of intrigue.  Her history is long and complicated and too much to explain here.  I can just say this is beautiful garden, and anyone with an interest in horticulture will not want to miss.