Settled in a gorgeous residential neighborhood in Santa Barbara, Lotusland is a 37-acre garden that was once the private residence of Ganna Walska, an eccentric opera singer turned plantswoman. The garden is full of subtropical and tropical plants from around the world, as well as more than 130 varieties of aloe, rare species of cycads, Chilean Wine Palms and massive amounts of cactus. 
The main house (now offices), was built in 1919 by architect Reginald Johnson and is a gorgeous example of Mediterranean style architecture.
The famous Lotus pond, which was once a pool.
An old Euphorbia drooping from weight and old age.
A fountain near the Olive Allee and Cactus Garden.
Old Man Cactus
A beautiful old Euphorbia in the background with barrel cactus and purple aeonium in the stone planters.
One of my favorite agaves, and one that is extremely popular here in Southern California –the Fox Tail Agave or Agave Attenuata
A group of striking colored Euphorbia
An idea any garden lover can take home — an interesting planter potted with one type of succulent — left alone to grow into a little gem like the one above.
A 130 year old Dragon Tree
Ganna Walska’s reflective pool with giant clam shells and tons of abalone shells
She lined her entire reflective pool with abalone shells.
The Cactus Garden
The work that went into this garden is amazing. The dedication in growing many of these species from seed, or as small pups, must have taken an extreme amount of patience and vision. It’s definitely worth a visit. For more information on Lotusland, click here.
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The Long Table 