CAST 2022: A peak inside Lotusland (Photos)

© All photos by Matthew J. Grassi

While CAST is surely all about the various breeder stops and new plant intros contained there within, the scope and depth of California agriculture is so strong that opportunities to explore and learn and experience all that the state has to offer plant and nature lovers are bountiful. 

Lotusland is without a doubt such a place. It's story is perhaps as intriguing as the spectacular collection of exotic plants peppered throughout the privately curated, 37-acre property. 

The quick backstory: Lotusland was founded in 1941, when Madame Ganna Walska, a well-known Polish opera singer and 20th-century socialite, purchased the estate and spent the next 43 years curating what is now considered one of the top ten botanical gardens in the world. "Madame" purchased the estate with the man who would become her sixth husband, to create a refuge for Tibetan monks and originally named it "Tibetland." 

After her death in 1984 (the same year this editor was born, coincidentally), Lotusland became a nonprofit and opened to the public in 1993. Due to restrictions put in place by local residents and the town's leaders, only 20,000 folks are permitted to visit annually.

To learn more about Lotusland, head here for the full backstory.

After a full day of visits on Wednesday, we took an hour before heading north to meet with Ron Caird, founder of Por La Loma Nursery. Caird (he is a board member of the garden) graciously invited us in (not sure we'd have ever gotten in otherwise, so a very big thank you to Ron!) and walked us around the jaw-dropping property, telling us some of the history behind the various gardens and why the 'Madame' was inspired to do what she did in establishing the garden. 

Another interesting note: the entire property is pesticide/chemical free. And synthetic fertilizers are kept out of the mix as well, as Lotusland's growers use only compost teas for fertility. Quite the shining example of organic done at scale, one would reason...

We left feeling refreshed and inspired, in-awe of such a jaw-dropping collection of horticultural treasures. It was certainly worth the stop, that's for sure!  

Here's a few of the images from our visit, which only lasted about an hour. One could easily spend an entire day walking the various gardens and looking at plants. If you ever find yourself in Montecito with some time to spare, it's highly recommended.