NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS � VOLUME 24 NO. 2 � SPRING 2015

LOTUSLAND

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S ANTA BARBARA had been “a delight- ful little rural community” prior to1890, states Victoria Padilla in

Southern California Gardens (1961), butby then “had definitely become a floral-conscious community, eager to raise…the lesser known trees, shrubs, andpalms. As the infrastructure of roads,water delivery systems and eventuallyelectricity were implemented, estateswith more refined gardens were built.”A few of them followed a national trendto include Japanese-style gardens—afashion that spread rapidly after Japan,isolated for several centuries fromforeigners, decided to show the worldhow far Japan had come by creating a grand display at Philadelphia’s 1876Centennial Exposition. Millions ofvisitors to the Japanese pavilion, bazaarand gardens were captivated by thesimple elegance of the Japanese arts andarchitecture at a time when Americanfashion was “smothered in the gravy ofVictorian taste.” Japan’s exhibit at the1893 World’s Columbian Exposition inChicago continued to broaden Americanenchantment with all things Japanese.

There was a period in the pre-World War II history of estate buildingin Santa Barbara when many privategardens with Japanese elements werecreated, including Mrs. John J. Mitchell’sEl Mirador, and The Knight and BrundageEstates, but very few of these remain inSanta Barbara today. The pre-World WarII Storrier-Stearns garden in Pasadena,restored in 2010, was designed and exe-cuted by Kunzichii Fujii, the father ofFrank Fujii who worked with MadameWalska to build her Japanese garden.

The trend of building Japanesegardens in the United States hit a decisivelow when Pearl Harbor was bombed and,in a display of patriotism, most Japanesegardens in the United States were

Japanese Garden Renovation ProjectBY GWEN STAUFFER AND VIRGINIA HAYES

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Solstice Twilight Tour 11

Summer Bounty: A Lotusland 11Food and Wine Fête

Annual Meeting 12Recapping the Highlights of 2014

FLOCK Premiere Opening 12

Lotusland Celebrates 12Passage to India

Lotusland Celebrates Spectacular 12One-of-a-Kind Auction Items

The Lotus Society 13

Help Make Lotusland’s Wishes 13Come True

Thank You to Our Corporate Steward, 13Garden Stewards and Garden Guardians

Japanese Garden Renovation Project 1

Director’s Letter 4

FLOCK: Birds on the Brink 4

FLOCK Events 5

Collections News 6Erythrina

Bouquet of the Year 6

Exceptional Plants: Auction and Sale 6

Horticultural Happenings 7

Members’ Family Day 8Birds in Paradise

LotusFest! 10

Cacti and Cocktails 11

Behind the Scenes Tour 11

IN THIS ISSUE

Bright new leaves of an ornamental Japanese maple frame the view in the Japanese garden.

Three of Madame Walska’s many Japanese-stylelanterns at the edge of the pond.

The LOTUSLAND NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS

is published byGanna Walska Lotusland

695 Ashley RoadSanta Barbara, California 93108

805.969.3767 • www.lotusland.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEESConnie Pearcy, President

Crystal Wyatt, Vice-PresidentIan M. Fisher, SecretaryMick Thomas, Treasurer

Marc AppletonDaniel BifanoAndrew Chou

Belle Hahn CohenGeoffrey Crane

William M. DaughertyDawn LafitteDebby Longo

Suzanne MathewsEileen Rasmussen

Susanne TobeyPeggy Wiley

Lifetime Honorary TrusteesMerryl Brown

Robert J. EmmonsArthur R. Gaudi

Kisa HeyerAnne Jones

Michael Towbes

Gwen Stauffer, M.S.Executive Director

Anne Dewey, CFREDirector of Development

Diane Figueroa, CPADirector of Finance

Bob CraigDirector of Marketing

Virginia Hayes, M.A.Curator

Michael IvenDirector of Grounds and Facilities

Dorothy ShanerDirector of Public Programs

Steven Timbrook, Ph.D.Director Emeritus

Printed by Jano GraphicsLindse Davis, Design

Mission StatementWe preserve and enhance the unique

historic estate of Madame Ganna Walska, care for and improve its collections, and develop its conservation and horticulture programs, so they educate us, inspire us,

and advance our understanding and appreciation of the importance of plants in our lives and in the life of the planet.

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demolished. After the war, the influenceof Japanese sensibilities on Americandesign resumed and a new set of eliteAmericans built new Japanese gardens.

The Japanese garden at Lotusland,created in the late 1960s, is the onlyremaining post-World War II JapaneseGarden that is open to the public on theCalifornia central coast between LosAngeles and the Bay area. According toKen Brown in Japanese-Style Gardens ofthe Pacific West Coast (1999), “MadameGanna Walska pursued a unique visionon her estate Lotusland. AlthoughWalska…had never been to Japan, thepopularity of Japanese-style gardensamong such friends as Barbara Huttonand the exotic associations of the genrelikely fueled her desire for one.” Brownalso feels that “the Lotusland Japanesegarden…is very much I think about thelocal site, lanterns mainly from the area,and Madame Walska’s love of a varietyof botanical species. …these are thequalities that distinguish it from themainstream.”

While it is true that very few“Japanese” gardens in America actuallyfollow the strict tenets of Japanese garden design, and, even of those thatdo, it is argued that only gardens inJapan are truly “authentic.” This doesnot diminish the importance of theJapanese gardens that exist in the U.S.,particularly those built during theGolden Age of estate building inAmerica and again after World War II.These conceptual Japanese gardens, orJapanese-style gardens, are importantperiod pieces in the history of Americangardens and exemplify the incorporation

of a Japanese or Asian aesthetic intoAmerican gardens at significant periodsin the history of American garden design.

There are several layers of historyrepresented in Lotusland’s Japanesegarden. In the late 1880s, R. KintonStevens constructed a reservoir in whathad been a clay quarry to collect rain-water for irrigation. After Stevens’ deathin 1896, the level of water was allowedto recede. The Gavit family (c. 1918 to1938) built paths around the loweredpond and used it for recreation.

The pond was already densely filledwith Asian lotuses planted by Stevenswhen Madame Walska purchased theproperty. She conceived of a Japanese-style garden around the pond, and herscrapbooks with Japanese-themed clip-pings date from 1964 through 1972.During that time, she commissioned plansfrom several architects and although theplans were never implemented asdrawn, Madame Walska may haveincorporated some of the elements intothe planted garden. She hired stonemason Ozzie Da Ros and aestheticpruner Frank Fujii to purchase and installstones, lanterns and plants. Many of the lanterns came from other Japanesegardens that were being dismantled by the owners of private estates inSanta Barbara.

The garden continued to evolve overseveral years including the addition ofan azalea bed, designed by her gardensuperintendent Charles Glass. He alsoenhanced the adjacent “bamboo pond,”adding a waterfall and a stone lanternthat was moved from another locationin the garden.

Following Madame Walska’s deathin 1984, the Board of Trustees hiredKoichi Kawana, a lecturer at UCLA whospecialized in Japanese garden design,to aid in refreshing the Japanese garden.Two significant results from Kawana’srecommendations were the installationof a Shinto-style shrine within a newgrove of conifers, as well as a free-standing pergola planted with wisteriavines and low benches on a high pointof the garden’s perimeter. Large blackpebbles were added to define the“beach” next to the koi pond.

One underlying influence through-out the creation of the Japanese gardenfrom 1968 until 2007 was the vision thatFrank Fujii had to make a harmoniousgarden of appropriate plants, stones,ornaments and other enhancements to

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The view from the pergola designed by Koichi Kawana.A flowering cherry tree brings spring to life along the main path.

Koichi Kawana’s Shinto-style shrine dates from thelate 1980s.

This antique Buddha statue holds a floral offeringnearly every day.

A torii gate, traditionally used to mark a place ofimportance, at the entrance of the Japanese garden.

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the garden. Frank Fujii guided theaesthetic of the garden even duringMadame Walska’s lifetime, under theinfluence of the Lotusland Board withDr. Kawana’s input, and long after.Frank Fujii worked the garden well intohis 80s, but by the time he retired in2007, the complete vision he andMadame Walska shared for the gardenhad yet to be realized. Before Mr. Fujiileft Lotusland, he recorded aspects ofhis and Madame Walska’s long-termvision for continued aesthetic modifica-tions in the garden so that one day thegarden could be completed.

After three years of intense studyof the complex layers of the Japanesegarden, we are now considering severalelements that need renovation as well assome that Mr. Fujii envisioned, all to beaddressed in a large renovation projectwe hope to begin this year. For exam-ple, Lotusland was created as a privateestate, but now that it is a publicgarden, many of the pathways are notsufficiently wide or appropriately sloped,

or constructed with appropriate materials.Lotusland commissioned an ADAAccessibility Report, which providesrecommendations for renovating pathsto ensure safe access for all, and we willincorporate these to accommodate allpublic visitors without compromisingthe aesthetic integrity of the garden.

The clay-bottom pond was notoriginally intended to be an aestheticfeature of the estate, but has evolved tothat. Lotusland is committed to manag-ing the pond sustainably and allowing anatural bio-system to occur in the pond.Ultimately, the desired aesthetic of thepond is greater water clarity so the koifish can be viewed, while maintainingthe reflective quality on the surface ofthe water. The long-term vision for thepond also includes an access point atthe edge of the pond containing thelotuses so that visitors may approachthem more closely.

Other issues we plan to address inthe renovation are removal and replace-ment of aging trees and plants that

cannot be saved, replacement of plantslong lost from the garden, restoration oflost design elements, and inclusion ofnew design elements to meet our acces-sibility goals. We are pleased to have ateam of two firms who are well versedin historic landscape restoration as wellas Japanese garden tradition and design—Arcadia Studios, with Derrik Eichel-berger as lead, and Paul ComstockLandscape, with Paul Comstock as lead,are partnering with us to fulfill thisJapanese Garden Renovation Project.The team is working now to prepare amaster landscape plan and a prelimi-nary budget, which we hope to presentto donors this spring. Once we havesecured sufficient funding, the teamwill create construction documents anda final budget to launch a competitive bidprocess. Construction will take severalmonths, and the Japanese garden willbe closed during that time. With enoughdonor support, we will break groundthis fall, in anticipation of opening thegarden again in spring 2016.

Boston Artist David HochbaumMurmuration 2015

Director’s Letter

The blue garden got a new lease on color with a generous grant by the Hind Foundation.

T HE BLUE GARDEN is one ofLotusland’s most iconic gardens.

Started in 1948 as a silver gardenwith the planting of blue Atlas cedarsby Madame Walska, it evolved into theblue garden as she added blue-foliagedplants to complement the cedars. At the time, color-themed gardens wereconsidered quite chic, and at its primein the mid-1950s Lotusland’s bluegarden was celebrated as one of themost fascinating gardens in California.

Long after Madame Walska’s deathin 1984, plants in the blue garden con-tinued to grow. Time eventually took a

toll as the cedars created a dense canopy,shading the sun-loving blue-foliagedplants. Even as the cedars lost theirlower branches, the plants beneaththem succumbed to the dense shade.Over time the garden lost its azureluster, turning a drab brown.

Thanks to a grant from the HindFoundation in 2012, Lotusland was ableto restore the blue garden to its formersplendor. It is one of the few remainingexamples of a color-themed garden cre-ated during a period in American gardendesign when this style was fashionable.The blue garden is widely known and

admired by garden designers, preserva-tionists and historians, and seeing this“period piece” is a highlight of any visitto Lotusland.

The blue garden is as relevant nowas it was in Madame Walska’s heyday.The plants in the blue garden aredrought-tolerant and thrive in our dryMediterranean climate. The blue gardenis also the perfect setting for the tem-porary art installation Murder of Crowsin our current exhibit, FLOCK: Birds onthe Brink.

Gardens, made of living, growing,changing organisms, are never finished.Maintenance is ongoing, and in another60 years, the blue garden will need tobe restored once again. That is whyLotusland is committed to raisingendowment for every single garden, toguarantee the care and preservation ofall our beautiful, important and historicgardens for future generations.

We are pleased to announce that theBlue Garden Endowment Fund, madepossible by a $1 million grant from theHind Foundation in honor of Greg Wm.Hind, will care for this special garden inperpetuity. We are extremely grateful toGreg Hind, who supported the restora-tion, and now to the Hind Foundation,who has preserved it in his honor.

Warm regards,Gwen L. Stauffer

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FLOCK: Birds on the BrinkA CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION INSPIRED BY AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPERATIVE

FEBRUARY 28 TO MAY 23

Seattle artist Sharon BealsBarn Swallow Nest Photograph

New York artist Gary SmithNests for Lotusland Curly Willow by the Lotus Pond

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LINNEA HALL AND RENÉ CORADOThe Beauty of Birds and Their PerilsSponsored by Rich and Luci JanssenSATURDAY, APRIL 11 • 2:30 TO 5:00 PMGATES OPEN AT 1:00 PM

FLOCK EventsINNOVATORS AND INFLUENCERS IN THE STUDY AND APPRECIATION OF BIRDS

P RIOR TO EACH presentation, the gates will open early for an opportunity to explore the garden and to see theFLOCK exhibition. Check your confirmation or lotusland.org for details. Call 805.969.9990 for reservations or for

more information.

Linnea S. Hall, Executive Director at Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology(WFVZ), and René Corado, WFVZ Collections Manager, share their passion, knowledgeand expertise about birds in a presentation on the amazing beauty and wonder ofthe species that inhabit our planet, and the dangers that some face from humanity.Book signing and reception follow presentation. Members $60; non-members $70.

WESTERN FOUNDATION OF VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGYFIELD TRIPMONDAY, APRIL 139:00 AM DEPART LOTUSLAND1:00 PM RETURN LOTUSLAND

JEFF CHEMNICK ANDSATIE AIRAMÉBirders Travelogue of Belize,Bolivia and EcuadorSATURDAY, APRIL 183:30 TO 5:30 PMGATES OPEN AT 2:00 PM

An exclusive private tour of one of theworld’s largest collections of bird eggsand nests. The collections comprise200,000+ sets of bird eggs representingapproximately 4,000 species; 20,000+nests; and 56,000 bird study skins, all in a 22,000-square-foot building inCamarillo, California. Members $65;non-members $75.

Join Santa Barbara bird and botanicalenthusiasts Jeff and Satie for an excitingphotographic birders tour of Belize,Bolivia and Ecuador. Enjoy imagery andstories from the spectacular Andeanvistas and steaming Amazonian rainforests. Reception follows presentation.Members $60; non-members $70.

JOAN LENTZ, COREY WELLESAND GREG HOMELINTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAYSATURDAY, MAY 99:00 AM TO 4:30 PMGATES OPEN AT 8:30 AM

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Bird Walk with Joan Lentz,followed by coffee

11:00 AM–12:00 PMJoan Lentz

Why the Santa Barbara Region is for the Birds

12:00–1:00 PMLunch

1:00–2:00 PMCorey Welles

The Rich Bird Habitat of Lotusland

2:30–3:30 PMGreg Homel,

award-winning photojournalist

Enjoy a day-long Lotusland celebrationof birds with noted author Joan Lentz,award-winning photojournalist GregHomel and Lotusland plant health coor-dinator Corey Welles. Corey’s The RichBird Habitat of Lotusland, Greg’s storiesand images from his extensive travels insearch of birds to the four corners of theworld and Joan’s unmatched local avianknowledge all combine for an excep-tional day in the garden. Book signingand reception follow presentations.Members $75; non-members $85.

Erythrina sandwicensis from the Hawaiian Islands.Erythrina seedlings being nurtured in theLotusland nursery.

Erythrinas grow on the major conti-nents of the world with subtropical ortropical climate zones, as well as islandsthat may have once been connected to them. One of our new accessions is a form of E. breviflora named petraea.It is native to Mexico, but in a veryrestricted region. Others received in thisexchange are E. eggersii from the VirginIslands and Puerto Rico, E. elenae nativeto Cuba and E. sandwicensis, which hailsfrom the “Sandwich Islands” as theearly maritime explorer Captain Cookcalled the Hawaiian Islands.

M OST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANS

are familiar with the coraltree. There are several com-

mon species of this genus Erythrinaincluding some rather large ones such as E. coralloides, which can dominate thelandscape and are best suited for parksand other spacious public areas. Thegenus does have many other less well-known and smaller species, however.Lotusland recently partnered with theSan Diego Zoo to trial some propaga-tions of Erythrina that they are growing.

Species of plants that have diversi-fied on such isolated places as islandsare often quite distinct from theirrelatives on larger land masses. TheseErythrinas represent some of those rareplants. Many are now endangered byhuman development, and preservingtheir germplasm is one of Lotusland’sgoals in building its plant collections.The added bonus is that they are alsoquite ornamental and should provideinterest in the landscape when they areplanted out. —Virginia Hayes

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COLLECTIONS NEWS

Erythrina

Bouquet of the Year

Erythrina eggersii, commonly known as Cock’s-spur, is native to Puerto Rico.

Paul Mills, Assistant Curator at Lotusland.

L OTUSLAND ASSISTANT CURATOR Paul Mills was recentlyawarded the Santa Barbara County Horticultural Society2014 Bouquet of the Year Award. Paul was recognized

as a distinguished member of the horticultural community and for his contributions to the advancement of horticulture in the Santa Barbara area. The society thanked Paul for his“commendable achievements in horticulture” and for being an“esteemed plantsman, lecturer and volunteer.”

Paul is a valuable member of the Lotusland team, and weall are proud to join in the celebration and congratulate him forhis truly remarkable achievements.

SAVE THE DATE

Exceptional Plants: Auction and SaleSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 • 2:00 TO 5:00 PM

Back by popular demand!Save the date for a fabulous plant sale and auction for garden connoisseurs

featuring choice, rare and hard-to-find plants.

Ticket and sponsorship information is available atwww.lotusland.org or contact Courtney Tentler at 805.969.3767 x116

or ctentler@lotusland.org.

Two of our work experience students are KarenFortunato and Andrea Harrison.

to make if the drought persists. We’rediscussing the options in order to beready to modify our landscape mainte-nance practices or implement newstrategies as necessary.

Completion of the new palmetumis being postponed because of thedrought. The project will complete a514' historical axis from the wishingwell through the cypress allée, across thelotus pond, through a new palmetum toan historic George Washington Smithdesigned tile bench. Designer EricNagelmann has guided the installationof hardscape features and the placementand planting of about 20 palms. Morepalms already growing on Lotuslandproperty or in the nursery will also beplanted. Additional palms and ground-covers will not be planted until thedrought abates. Pathways and otherhardscape features will be completed.An ADA-compliant brick ramp hasbeen installed and will provide access tothe lotus pond once the garden isopened. This garden will be attractiveeven if it’s not completely finished.Check it out the next time you visit the garden. —Michael Iven

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Horticultural HappeningsSUCCULENT GARDENRENOVATIONTHE SUCCULENT GARDEN was originallyplanned and planted by Lockwood deForest in the 1940s. Renovated byCharles Glass and Bob Foster in the1970s, the area displays succulentplants other than cacti, euphorbias andaloes. Recently, assistant grounds super-intendent Alex Chavez worked withmembers of the Santa Barbara Cactusand Succulent Society (SBCSS) to planand implement a renovation.

An initial meeting and survey withArt Posch, SBCSS president, and JimFoster, Lotusland member/docent/sup-porter, resulted in a project that was notonly funded by SBCSS, but also imple-mented with participation of the club.

The first order of business was towiden the stabilized decomposedgranite pathway. The “crew” removedgreen glass edging and border plantsbefore widening the path to an ADA-acceptable four feet.

Next, a thinning of overgrownsucculent groundcovers revealed beau-tiful landscape rocks partially hiddenfor many years and created space foradditional specimen plantings.

Some new plants have beenacquired, including a group of Kalanchoebeherensis, to restore and complement theexisting landscape. More new plants andsome historical surprises will be addedas part of the project. Lotusland is grate-ful to the Cactus and Succulent Societyfor their generosity and hard work!

WORK EXPERIENCEPROGRAMSINCE THE MID-1980S, an affiliation withSanta Barbara City College has provided

two paid part-time positions to studentsenrolled in the Environmental Horti-culture program. Work experience forCity College students is Lotusland’soldest uninterrupted public program.Students gain practical experience andearn school credit while working withLotusland’s grounds staff. Over theyears, several students accepted regularfull-time positions on the grounds staff.

In 2015 the program is funded by theTowbes Foundation and Ted and ColeenFriedel, whose generosity has made itpossible for Lotusland to offer five paidpart-time positions to EH students. Fiveoutstanding students are now perform-ing regular grounds maintenance tasksand helping on special projects.

Lotusland is grateful to our sponsorsfor their support of this valuable andrewarding program.

PALMETUM UPDATE AND THE DROUGHTEVERYTHING WE DO at Lotusland is affectedby the drought. The water table con-tinues to drop, and Lotusland’s one wellhas become less efficient. We are doingall we can to conserve and use waterwisely. Our horticultural practices overthe past 25 years have helped to preparethe landscape for efficient use of water,but we must continue to modify ourpractices and develop strategies to dealwith prolonged drought.

Grounds and facilities maintenancepersonnel work to reduce irrigation andconserve as much water as possible.Gardeners use soil probes and wateronly when needed. Mulch is replen-ished to help maintain soil moisture.Portable low-flow irrigation systems are constructed and used to targetirrigation…sometimes they’re used onjust one plant.

As the drought continues, we’veobserved signs of stress rarely seenhere. Hedges and some large trees thathave never required supplemental waterare showing dieback and wilt. We’velost six or so Monterey pines this yearalone. They are shallow-rooted treesand by the time they show symptoms,it’s usually too late. Strategies are beingdeveloped to care for the canopy that is important to understory plantingsthroughout the garden.

There could be some hard choices

Santa Barbara Cactus & Succulent Society volunteerBruno Bardini helping to make the path in thesucculent garden wheelchair accessible.

An ADA-compliant brick ramp has been installedand will provide access from the main drive to thelotus pond once the garden is opened.

Please return this reservation form to: Ganna Walska Lotusland, Attn: Member Services, 695 Ashley Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108.Your confirmation, parking pass for entry and a map will be mailed to you upon receipt of your reservation form.

Reservation FormMember Name(s) Total no. of attendees____ Phone no. ___________________

Address No. of adults __________ No. of children 3 to 12 ________

No. of teens ___________ No. of children 2 and under____

Email address Knowing children’s ages helps us to plan activities.

! Enclosed is our family’s non-refundable vehicle reservation fee of $15.00

Parrots on Parade: Get up close and personal with a flock of avian ambassadors and be educated and entertained by a plethora of parrots! • 1:30 PM TO 2:15 PM and again at 2:45 PM TO 3:30 PM

Dress up in paradise-style costumes and pose for your free souvenir photo taken by photographer extraordinaire Bob DeBris • NOON TO 3:30 PM

On the main lawn, everyone can enjoy activities and crafts, face painting by Anji Lawson and the giant mural by Kathy Mills • NOON TO 3:30 PMCO

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Members’ Family Day • Birds in Paradise!SATURDAY, MAY 30 • NOON TO 4:00 PM

Lotusland wishes to thank you, our members, for your support by hosting our 18th annual Members’ Family Day. All members are invited, especially children of all ages!

Generously Sponsored byThomas & Nancy Crawford, Jr. in Honor of Their Grandchildren

Activities will include:

Garden Admission to Members’ Family DayIS FREE!

You must reserve space for your family by mailing in the reservation form,along with a non-refundable vehicle fee of $15.

To allow as many members as possible to attend, Lotusland requests one vehicle per membership. Members are welcome to bring family or friends, no dogs please. Don’t have enough room in your vehicle? Please consider

asking your guests to become members and purchase their own vehicle pass. All vehicles are valet parked.

Mail your reservation form early as this event quickly fills to capacity. No phone or email reservations, please. If you have questions or need a membership brochure

mailed to your guests, please call Member Services at 805.969.3767, ext. 120 or 115.

Bring your own lunch basket and enjoy a picnic on the lawn!Remember: No food will be available to purchase.

Complimentary lemonade, iced tea, juice boxes and water will be available all afternoon.Enjoy a complimentary ice cream cone served from 1:00 PM TO 3:00 PM.

A limited number of picnic blankets will be available, or you can bring your own.

We know to bring our lunch basket if we choose!There will be no food to purchase.

Complimentary assorted drinks will be available all afternoon.

Don’t delay mailing your reservation form!

Payment Method:! Check # _______________ enclosed made payable to Ganna Walska Lotusland! VISA ! MasterCard ! AMEX ! Discover

Card Number

Exp. Date

Signature

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LLoottuussFFeesstt!!SSAATTUURRDDAAYY,, JJUULLYY 1111 •• 22::0000 PPMM

Please join us for a party celebrating the spectacular flower that is Lotusland’s namesake.July is peak blooming season, and guests will have the opportunity to view these

uniquely beautiful flowers while enjoying a relaxing afternoon at this casual, fun event.

Enjoy these afternoon delights:Wine tasting from Santa Barbara County’s premier vintners

Smooth jazz • Delectable hors d’oeuvres • Lotus lore galore • Lotus viewing

Lotus flowers open during the day and close at night. Prime viewing time during LotusFest will be until 3:00 or 4:00 PM, depending upon weather conditions,

so make sure to allow time to savor the spectacular view of lotuses in bloom.

Tickets are $95 for Lotusland members and $105 for non-members.To register for this fun and enlightening event, please call 805.969.9990.

Summer Bounty: A LotuslandFood and Wine Fête

SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, JUNE 27

T HIS INTIMATE culinary celebrationprovides an experience like no

other. Enjoy an exceptional farm-style feast expertly paired with cellarselect wines during the evening twilightin the gardens of Lotusland.

Legendary winemaker Ken Volk ofKenneth Volk Winery leads the con-versation as he shares his passion forselecting his perfect wine to pair withthe evening’s gastronomical delights.

This year’s to-be-announced guest chef will prepare dinner with all freshingredients from local farms andLotusland’s orchards. Please join newBoard President Connie Pearcy andExecutive Director Gwen Stauffer asthey host a unique and unforgettabledining experience.

This third annual farm-to-tabledining extravaganza is an exclusivebenefit for Lotus Keeper members, and

an invitation will be mailed in mid-May. Tickets are $250 per person ($125is tax deductible). Call Bambi Leonardat 805.969.3767, ext. 120 with questionsor to become a Lotus Keeper memberand join in the fun.

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A peek inside the main greenhouse at Lotusland.

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Cacti and CocktailsSATURDAY, MAY 16 • 3:00 TO 6:00 PM

S TROLL THROUGH LOTUSLAND and enjoy the magnificentepiphyllum and remarkable cactus blooms where the

late afternoon light can be magical. Join a docent-led touror members may explore the garden on their own. Specialtycocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Admission is $60 for members and $70 for non-members.Reservations are required and may be made by calling805.969.9990. Members and friends enjoying an evening at Lotusland.

Solstice Twilight TourSATURDAY, JUNE 20 • 4:00 TO 6:30 PM

T HE SOLSTICE TWILIGHT TOUR invites you to celebrate the longestday of the year in the garden at Lotusland. Members and their guests

can explore the garden on their own or choose a docent-led tour.Begin with a cool beverage or glass of wine in a commemorative

Lotusland wine glass. Journey up to the main house to enjoy a light snackand refill your glass in the sunken drawing room from 5:00 to 5:45 PM. Themagical light of the season combines with the blooms and colors of thegarden to create a very memorable event. Cost is $65 for members, $75 fornon-members. Reservations are required. Please call 805.969.9990. In the evening, the shell pool glows with a turquoise hue.

Behind the Scenes TourWITH CURATOR VIRGINIA HAYES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 • 2:00 TO 4:00 PM

T AKE A STROLL with Curator Virginia Hayes to see thesehidden features and more: the wellhead inside Lotusland’s

George Washington Smith-designed pump house, thenursery and propagation areas, and our acclaimed composting andcompost tea brewing operation.

Free for Lotus Keeper members; $45 for general members.Reservations are required and may be made by calling805.969.9990.

Spectacular One-of-a-KindAuction Items

Please Join Us • Space is Limited • Reserve Your Table Now

Sponsor $15,000(ten tickets, five VIP parking passes and a gift)

Sustainer $10,000 (ten tickets, two VIP parking passes and a gift)

Contributor $7,500 (ten tickets, two VIP parking passes and a gift)

Benefactor $5,000 (ten tickets, one VIP parking pass and a gift)

Patron $1,200 (two tickets and a gift)

Invitations will be mailed mid-June. Individual tickets($375) will be available beginning July 15 as space

permits. Contact Courtney Tentler at 805.969.3767, ext. 116 or ctentler@lotusland.org for more information.

L OTUSLAND CELEBRATES will feature six unique live auctionitems including a luxurious 10-day trip to discover the

Gardens of India. The journey was designed specificallyfor Lotusland by Siddhi Ellinghoven and Stefan Hermann, whohave years of experience leading tours to India, and will feature arare visit to the expansive gardens of the President’s residence inIndia’s capital, New Delhi, as well as explorations in the cities ofUdiapur and Jaipur.

Another spectacular item to be auctioned will be the The LotusRoot Bracelet with Diamonds, which was designed and fabricatedspecifically for Lotusland by David Lee Holland Fine Jewelry inNew York from 100% recycled precious metals and conflict-freenatural color premiere diamonds.The bracelet features solid 18-karat gold lotus root sectionsaccented with 1.19 ct of fullyfaceted brilliant diamonds.

For more information or toplace an absentee bid, contactCourtney Tentler at 805.969.3767,ext. 116 or ctentler@lotusland.org.

FLOCK Premiere Opening

T HE PREMIERE OPENING forFLOCK: Birds on the Brink was a

celebration of the garden, con-temporary art and the daily presence ofbirds in our lives. A delightful and livelyevening was spent meeting the artistsand previewing the extraordinary gardeninstallations and artwork. This incre-dible exhibition is the brainchild of

Executive Director Gwen Stauffer andGuest Curator Nancy Gifford, theculmination of two years of planning.

The work of 35 artists was inspiredby an environmental imperative—theglobal loss of wild bird populations andtheir role as indicators of the health ofour planet. FLOCK is on display throughMay 23.

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Executive Director Gwen Stauffer and Guest CuratorNancy Gifford.

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ANNUAL MEETING

Recapping the Highlights of 2014

N EW BOARD PRESIDENT ConniePearcy welcomed guests to the

2015 Annual Meeting and thankedher fellow board members for their hardwork and dedication to Lotusland.Keynote Speaker Janet Garufis, Presidentand CEO of Montecito Bank and Trust,spoke about the role of philanthropy in our community.

Executive Director Gwen Staufferdelivered the State of the Garden Address.One of the highlights was the announce-ment of the $1 million EndowmentGrant for the Blue Garden made possibleby a generous grant from the Hind

Foundation in Honor of Greg Wm.Hind in October 2014. High pointsLotusland celebrated in 2014:

• 234 Lotusland volunteers gavemore than 16,500 hours of service.

• 1,349 member households gener-ated $444,000.

• Grants awarded to Lotuslandtotaled $1,250,000.

• The Lotus Society welcomed sixnew members and now totals 140.

• Hosted 2,576 K through 12th gradestudents, teachers and chaperones.

• Lotusland Celebrates: Once Upon aTime set a new record for fundraising.

In closing, Gwen had this to say, “Lotusland is a special place that helpsbring meaning and value to our dailylives by honoring, inspiring and sup-porting the creative, intellectual, artisticand spiritual aspect of ourselves.”

Outgoing Board President Larry Durham andConnie Pearcy, new President of the LotuslandBoard of Trustees.

Jeffrey Romano and Stan ShayerLotus Society donors

13

Members Who HaveIncreased Their Level of Support

DECEMBER 2014, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2015

LOTUS KEEPERS GUARDIANPatricia P. BroomeGary & Susanne TobeyCONSERVATORMr. & Mrs. John MozartCULTIVATORDaniel Bifano & Allan BrostromAnn Griffith AshAnne & Jeffrey DonahueADVOCATEMs. Hillary TentlerMary Elizabeth Gore

GENERAL MEMBERSHIPSFRIENDTony & Jean LehmanDr. & Mrs. Nic GuddalNancy & Tony WallFAMILYLenore Duncan-Pruett & Jack DensonRichard & Theresa NielsenSandra Howard

Lotusland Gratefully Acknowledges DonationsDECEMBER 2014, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2015

14

Mr. & Mrs. Mason FarrellMargo & Robert FeinbergHarry FelderIan FisherDorothy & John GardnerMr. Arthur R. GaudiCarol A. GeerMs. Alexandra GeremiaMrs. Rosalind Gies-AmorteguyLaurie Gilmore & Kelly DayMr. Paul F. GlennAlma GrayMrs. Susan GulbransenMr. & Mrs. Steven GuminsMs. Karin HaeuslerMr. Michael Hakan in honor of Virginia HakanMr. & Mrs. Larry HammettMr. Stephen Harby in honor of Dennis WhelanMs. Deanna HatchAnn Henderson & Thomas Nelson

in honor of Jane CravenMrs. Joanne C. HoldermanMs. Judy M. HortonMr. & Mrs. Robert HullMr. & Mrs. Karl L. HuttererCynthia JamesJosiah & Karen JenkinsLauren Katz in honor of Crystal WyattMr. & Mrs. Herbert J. KendallDawn & David LafitteDavid & Dawn LigonMs. Sarah Jane LindBob & Betsy MangerMs. Erma MartinMr. David Meldrum-TaylorMs. Mimi MichaelisMercedes Millington & Jack MithunMs. Margaret Morgan & Dr. Wesley PhoaMr. & Mrs. John MozartMs. Barbara Nagle StatlerDanny & Debby Needham, Green Set Inc.Mrs. Marjorie M. NelsonNetwork for Good directed by Daniel RyanBobbie OffenDrs. Daniel N. & Anne B. OvadiaMr. & Mrs. John K. PearcyJames & Hensley PetersonMr. Donald PhilippMr. Philip PollastrinoMr. Esau RamirezMargo Rey & Ron White in memory of Joey WaldonRoberts Brothers Foundation

directed by Dorothy B. RobertsMs. Elizabeth RosasMs. Judy SahmStephen P. Schaible & Daron S. BuiltaMr. Leonard Somdahl in memory of Ellen SomdahlTana & Eve Sommer-BelinMr. & Mrs. Warren StaleyKen & Ann StinsonMs. Kitty ThomassinDr. & Mrs. Bruce H. TiffneyMr. & Mrs. John TilsonDrs. Steven & Jan TimbrookGary & Susanne TobeyTransformation Trust Inc.Nita & Henk Van der Werff

in honor of Zinnia Dallas AbbottMs. Helene Van OostenMr. Sherman VincentSusan & David ViniarMrs. Deanne G. ViolichLeland & Diana WalmsleyCharles & April WaltonThe Watling FoundationMr. Dennis M. WhelanJennifer Wilbanks & Barry PolleyPeggy P. Wiley & Wilson QuarréBarbara & Tex WilliamsPLANT ACQUISITION FUNDMr. Harlis MaggardPeter Selig

BLUE GARDEN ENDOWMENTHind Foundation

CACTUS GARDEN ENDOWMENTMr. & Mrs. Michael Towbes

2014 GIFTS FOR THE GARDENANNUAL APPEALCARE OF THE GARDEN FUNDCarolyn Cooper & Glenn Griffith

in memory of Ina C. RichardsonDonivee NashMr. John A. Perez & Mrs. Ann N. Lowry

in memory of Anthony J. FigueiredoMark & Leslie Schneiderman in honor of Connie PearcySue TavisEDUCATION FUNDRobert & Carol BowenJoan Haber in memory of Maggie WilsonMs. Sandra LynneTerry & Cricket TwichellGENERAL FUNDAmerican Board of Urology

in appreciation of docent Karen KasabaMs. Bernadette BagleyCarol & Tom BeamerMr. Roderick BeattieRobert E. Blaha & Monica Koegler-BlahaChristopher & Wendy BlauJohn C. & Shelby C. Bowen Charitable Foundation

directed by Ian M. Fisher, Secretary & CFOMr. & Mrs. M. Peyton BucyNigel & Connie BuxtonMr. & Mrs. Ron CairdThe Capital Groups Companies Charitable

Foundation directed by Mason FarrellMr. & Mrs. Timothy CaseyBelle & Daniel CohenMr. & Mrs. Curt Coughlin

in memory of Robert S. WoodwardMr. & Mrs. Geoffrey CraneSandra & Patrick CrotteauJohn & Diana CrummeyDiane Cunningham in memory of Marjorie H. CrispinMr. & Mrs. William M. DaughertyTom Dennis & Chela WeilerMrs. Haddon DillonMr. & Mrs. Larry Durham

THE LOTUS SOCIETYRobert & Ann BenhamHind FoundationJames & Ellen Zissler

GRANTSTed & Coleen FriedelHutton Parker FoundationJohn Percival & Mary C. Jefferson Endowment FundSanta Barbara Cactus & Succulent SocietyZegar Family Fund

MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMChevron Humankind

directed by Jeffrey F. Romano & Stan A. Shayer

PHASE II WATER GARDEN/ PALMETUM RENOVATIONDONATIONSLucifer Lighting CompanyJim & Ann Scarborough

in honor of Eric Nagelmann

LOTUSLAND INSECTARIESJohn S. & Debra K. Piot Charitable DAF, a Donor

Advised Fund of Renaissance Charitable FoundationAnonymous

FLOCK: BIRDS ON THE BRINKFLYING HIGH SPONSORSBelle & Daniel CohenNancy & Michael GiffordThe Little One FoundationSanta Barbara County Arts Commission*

*Funded in part by the Organizational DevelopmentGrant Program using funds provided by the City ofSanta Barbara in partnership with the Santa BarbaraCounty Arts Commission.

NESTING SPONSORSRichard & Luci Janssen

for the Linnea S. Hall & René Corado LectureSusan Jorgensen & Alice GillarooAdele & Loi NguyenJeffrey F. Romano & Stan A. ShayerSanta Barbara IndependentKate SchepanovichTWEETING SPONSORSMarc & Joanna AppletonDaniel Bifano & Allan BrostromTim & Louise CaseyRobert & Christine EmmonsHUB International Insurance Services Inc.Gretchen & Robert LieffDave & Judy MessickEileen & Alex RasmussenSandra Russell & Jim FosterNancy B. SchlosserGary & Susanne TobeyDONORSDiondra DeeDoyle-Morgan Structural Engineering,

Morgan & Phileen JonesMrs. Joanne C. HoldermanMr. & Mrs. John K. PearcyGwen Stauffer

GENERAL DONATIONSMark A. BaconJames BlakeleyMs. Virginia Castagnola-HunterCarolyn Cooper & Glenn GriffithPamela & Aubert de VillaineStacey & Reed Dillon

in honor of Dorothy & John GardnerGarden Club of Santa BarbaraDorothy & John GardnerJames and Christine GaskinMrs. Rosalind Gies-AmorteguyNancy and Michael GiffordAndrew GlazierPamela & Sandra HightowerThomas E. & Elenore H. Hugunin Endowment FundHarlis Maggard in memory of Jessie Chan LingMarlene MillerAnne & Richard Norwood

Continued on page 15

15

Mrs. Heidi RexMr. & Mrs. Warren StaleyDr. & Mrs. Daniel VapnekJames & Ellen Zissler

ADVOCATERobert BettJoyce & Roland BryanMr. Robert BuckleyNigel & Connie BuxtonMr. & Mrs. Barton ClemensBelle & Daniel CohenCarolyn Cooper & Glenn GriffithDr. & Mrs. James CoyleMr. & Mrs. Ray F. EvertMargo & Robert FeinbergLola Hagadone & Margaret WaltherMr. John HayesDonivee & Merrill NashMs. Vee NoelleBernard & Rosemary ParentSteve & Caroline ThompsonJohn & Nancy VasiMr. Sherman Vincent

STEWARDMercedes Millington & Jack Mithun

GUARDIANSuzanne & Gilbert MathewsMr. & Mrs. Gary Uwé Rollé

CONSERVATORMr. Oswald J. Da RosMr. Arthur R. GaudiMr. Eugene McCarthy & Ms. Jane EngelsiepenMr. & Mrs. William W. NicholsonScott & Lannette Turicchi

CULTIVATORLeslie & Philip BernsteinJohn Mike & Marcia CohenMary ComptonMr. & Mrs. Geoffrey CraneGary & Hermine GallupNancy & Michael GiffordDr. Bonnie Kelm & Mr. Bill MalisMrs. Marilyn MagidDennis McGowan & Rudie van BrusselBelita Ong & J. Gordon Auchincloss

Renewing Lotus Keeper MembersDECEMBER 2014, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2015

Lotusland MembersWE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS WHO JOINED

IN DECEMBER 2014, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2015

Chris Lloyd & Arleen SorkinMr. Tom McKean & Mr. Marq TaylorRaquel Mendoza & Victor AlvaradoDebbie Molnar & Geoffrey HornbyManish Patel & Seema DaulatBriana PerryMarla & Lee PhillipsJuan PimentelJanice Ann PotterHappy PriceKeith & Lorraine ReichelRebecca Schoenenberger & Kathi CambianoRebecca & Ayo SeligmanMr. & Mrs. Richard ShorrJames & Stephanie SokoloveAnthony & Maria SoroskyJano & Tim StackAl Verik & Erika SchroederGeza & Jane VerikMax & Kristen WagnerJamie WestMerryl & Chuck ZegarMr. & Mrs. Robert ZemeckisINDIVIDUALEmily AllenJoy BannettJohn BaskettDeborah BeaudetLinda Faye BentsenLori CassidyJoseph Chavez

LOTUS KEEPERSSTEWARDSchroeder & Verik FamiliesCONSERVATORJohn Van DongeADVOCATEMr. & Mrs. Mark A. BaconJohn BernatzJim Carona & Heather SacreRobert Giaimo & Maria Rendon-GiaimoRobert GlazierSuzanne & Richard KayneJoseph MarekMs. Nohl Martin & Mr. Stephen VellaJohn McCoyChris MenradChip Tom & Michael RabkinCarol & Bill Wagner

GENERAL MEMBERSHIPSFRIENDStaci & Bob BrawnerJenni He & Richard GillStephen & Dee JonesLane M. Ochi & Nancy M. FoehnerSuzanne RheinsteinFAMILYDella Addison & Autumn EdwardsMrs. Teniola AlukoMr. & Mrs. Ross BagdasarianCatherine & James Baker-HallHailey Barba & Adam NasonAngie Bauters & Jared BautersErika Budig & Paul ScottIan & Denise BurrowsMargaret CafarelliJoyce & Richard CarnovaleJohn Clayton & Will JolleyJoseph & Bridget CostaKelsey & Aaron CrouseLarry & Anne CroweGarrett & Amy DamronVineet Daniels & Mandy RandhawaAnnette & David DezelanDarlene Douglas & Kelly DouglasScott Francis & Susan GordonMona Gill & K.T. JasserJane Gottlieb & David ObstMr. & Mrs. Jay HansethMaria & Emmanuel HatjiyannisTess Hoff & Louie MorenoNancy Hua & Jimmy HuRandy & Eden JasiorkowskiTim Jochen & Lee IrwinLinda JohnstonMorgan & Phileen JonesMargie & Howard KeyesBernadette & Robert KilbaneLisa & Sam KingSusan & Drew KlausnerMr. & Mrs. Gary KravetzSally & Jean François Lecomte

Ms. MaryAnne ContrerasGarrett DavidsonChristopher DavisDeborah DonohueR.W. EberhardtMary FerrisCarol GilmanDr. Janet GuthrieJustin HaagenDonna HarrisSandy HazeltineFauzia IhsanullahCaroline LekniusMarnie LelandeEvelyn LyonDr. Linda MackinnonElaine MalmJack McCartyMarjorie McShirleyRobert MeadowsDr. Rick MorganTracey MorrisMs. Caroline NorrisOfelia PapendickKeir SmithJim SnellingMs. Lynne SprecherRobert VitamanteAnn WentlingPeegan WhiteMs. Michele WilsonCindy Young

Our Membership Manager, Bambi Leonard, makes every effort to ensure correct donor information. If you find an error or omission, call 805.969.3767, ext. 120.

James & Hensley PetersonHappy PriceYvonne RamboMr. & Mrs. Edward SheaMs. Hillary TentlerDrs. Steven & Jan Timbrook

in memory of Norman HillemannShirley Wooldridge

GIFT MEMBERSHIP DONORSLinda BarbaJohn BaskettSusan & Jeff BridgesMr. Frank BrownMr. Alejandro ChavezJohn & Julie DamronGeorge & Katherine DavidsonKathleen Dougherty

Keith DouglasAutumn EdwardsMrs. Deborah FergusonJoyce FerrisErlyn GarrisonMrs. Karen GarroliniGiffin & Crane General ContractorsRichard JohnstonBernadette & Robert KilbaneKathleen LanfordEvelyn LyonLaina Malm-Levine & Ian MallochL. White Matthews, IIIBlythe & Cory MontanaroLouie MorenoAli & Elmira NajafiSanta Barbara Beautiful, Inc.Debra Schaefer

Joyce & Richard SchlakerAlan Robert & Kelsay SchroederCicily SterlingGeza and Jane VerikCarol & Bill WagnerLeland & Diana WalmsleyMaggie WaltersChristopher WentlingMr. & Mrs. Bernard WhiteTamora WoodJordan YoungAnonymous

IN-KIND DONORCraig L. Hillemann

PLANT DONORInstant Jungle International

Nonprofit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

P A I DSanta Barbara

CaliforniaPermit No. 163

695 Ashley RoadSanta Barbara, CA 93108

Address Service Requested

Spring and Summer 2015 Member EventsMANY LOTUSLAND EVENTS are open to non-members,

so please let your friends and neighbors know about the great activities we offer.

Saturday, April 11Linnea S. Hall and René CoradoThe Beauty of Birds and Their Perils2:30 TO 5:00 PM

See details page 5. Please call805.969.9990 to register.

Monday, April 13Western Foundation of VertebrateZoology Private Tour9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM

See details page 5. Please call805.969.9990 to register.

Saturday, April 18Jeff Chemnick and Satie AiraméBirders Travelogue of Belize, Boliviaand Equador3:30 TO 5:30 PM

See details page 5. Please call805.969.9990 to register.

Saturday, May 9International Migratory Bird DayDay-long celebration with authorJoan Lentz, Lotusland plant healthcare coordinator Corey Welles and award-winning nature photo-journalist Greg Homel. See page 5.Please call 805.969.9990 to register.

Saturday, May 163:00 TO 6:00 PM

Cacti and CocktailsSee details page 11. Please call805.969.9990 to register.

Saturday, May 23Last day of FLOCK exhibition.

Saturday, May 3012:00 TO 4:00 PM

Members’ Family DaySee details pages 8 and 9 to register.

Wednesday, June 102:00 TO 4:00 PM

Behind the Scenes TourSee details page 11. Please call805.969.9990 to register.

Sunday, June 1411:30 AM TO 2:00 PM

The Lotus Society: Annual Recognition Luncheon

Saturday, June 204:00 TO 6:30 PM

Solstice Twilight TourSee details page 11. Please call805.969.9990 to register.

Saturday, June 275:00 TO 8:00 PM

Summer Bounty: A Lotusland Food and Wine FêteSee details page 11.

Saturday, July 112:00 PM

LotusFest!See details page 10. Please call805.969.9990 to register.

Sunday, July 264:00 TO 8:00 PM

Lotusland Celebrates: Passage to IndiaSee details page 12.

Saturday, September 192:00 TO 5:00 PM

Exceptional Plants: Auction and SaleSee page 6. Go to www.lotusland.orgfor more information.

ToursTours are offered at 10:00 AM and1:30 PM, Wednesday through Saturdayfrom February 16 and November 15.Call 805.969.9990 for reservations.

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