August
Aloe mitriformis
South Africa
The stems of this succulent aloe trail along the ground, often rooting where they touch down. The leaves are short and broad in a rosette and are edged in sturdy teeth.
Full sun and good drainage are required to grow this aloe. It is hardy to 20 - 25 degrees. Drought tolerant.
The yellow teeth along the edges contrast nicely with the deep green of the leaves. In summer, the coral colored flower heads are very showy. This plant has been known by several names including Aloe distans and Aloe perfoliata. Aloe mitriformis is listed in the recent Aloes: The Definitive Guide.
In the aloe garden
Neoregelia 'Fireball'
Cultivated variety
This is a dwarf bromeliad with rosettes of leaves up to six inches across. It grows epiphytically and in the garden should be mounted on a branch or planted in a hanging basket.
For brightest color, plant in sun or partial shade. Keep moist by filling the "cups" of its leaves with water. Hardy to 30 degrees only.
The fiery red leaves of each rosette and its habit of sending out offsets in all directions are captured in its name, 'Fireball'
In the lower bromeliad garden, mounted on driftwood or tree trunks.
Euphorbia mammillaris ‘Variegata’
Cultivated variety
The Corn Cob Euphorbia is a small, branching succulent plant. It grows only about 6 to 8 inches tall.
Like all succulent euphorbias, this species requires excellent drainage and a sunny location.
Called the corn cob euphorbia because it has a knobby surface, this variegated form is pale green most of the year. The tips become noticeably pink in cooler weather or when the plant is under other stressful conditions.
Among the amethyst chunks on the west side of the main drive.
Lagunaria patersonia
Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands and coastal Queensland, Australia
Large, evergreen tree to 40 to 50 feet, becoming pyramidal in old age.
Tolerates drought, salt spray and many soil types. It is frost tolerant to 23° F.
Handsome as a street or park tree, it is somewhat large for most urban gardens. Blooms profusely with charming pink flowers in late summer and early fall. The seed pods (and to a lesser degree all plant parts) have irritating hairs, giving it the common name.
Behind the hedges of the parterre below the star fountain.
Acalypha pendula
Cuba
This is a low-growing plant that creeps along the ground. It can be used as a ground cover or in containers, where its pendulous flowers can be displayed effectively.
Plant in humus-rich soil or regular potting mix if in a container. It does best in full sun to partial shade with regular water.
The fuzzy inflorescences are an eye-catching red. The plant is a perennial and will bloom most of the year in Southern California.
In pots on the Pavilion Patio.
Alcantarea imperialis
Mountains outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This is one of the larger bromeliads, forming a rosette of leathery leaves up to 4 feet across. In nature it grows clinging to rock faces, slowly accumulating fallen organic debris to create its own soil.
Plant in humus-rich soil in light shade and keep moist.
It may take plants ten years or more to reach blooming size. Once the large inflorescence is finished, the plant dies, but it usually makes one or more offsets that can be removed and grown on.
Several in the bromeliad gardens. This blooming one is in the lower garden.
Canna 'Ehemanni'
Most Cannas seen in gardens are hybrids from species native to American tropics and subtropics; 'Ehemannii' is a hybrid of Canna iridifolia dating back to the 1800s.
A perennial plant which forms clumps of large leaves growing to five feet wide and up to eight feet tall.
Grows best in full sun to light shade. It needs moderate water but will also grow well in wet soils.
This Canna's large leaves give it a lush tropical look. It has clusters of cherry-red flowers on pendulous spikes, and blooms throughout the summer into fall.
These Cannas grow in the boggy beds at the edge of the Water Garden.
Jubaea chilensis
Central Chile. These palms are rare in the wild, due to centuries of being felled for their sap which is very sweet and is used as a sugar extract or fermented for wine. They are now protected by the Chilean government.
A very slow-growing palm which at maturity reaches 75 feet tall with a trunk over three feet across. Most have hanging lower fronds, but some have a more upright crown; both forms can be seen in the picture to the left.
This palm grows well in temperate subtropical climates, though not in true tropics. It is cold-tolerant and can withstand frost even when young. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Jubaea chilensis has a thick gray trunk crowned with feathery grey-green fronds. It has very small flowers, which grow on a 4 ft long stalk hidden under the leaves. These are followed by orange fruit. The common name ‘Coquito’ refers to the one-inch nut inside the fruit. These look and taste like miniature coconuts.
There are approximately 40 mature Chilean Wine Palms at Lotusland dating back to the early years of the estate. They are planted mainly in the Blue Garden and Aloe Garden. Young specimens have been planted in the Cactus Garden and at the visitors’ entrance gate.
Agave franzosinii
A. franzosinii is only known from cultivated plants in Europe and the United States.
A large succulent plant with a rosette of broad curving leaves that can grow as large as six feet long and a foot wide. The flower stalks may reach over 30 feet tall. After flowering, the plant dies.
Full sun, requires little water once established.
A. franzosinii has large curving whitish-blue or gray leaves. The plant seldom flowers, but when it does it produces a huge spike of yellow flowers in summer which attract birds and insects.
A mixed planting of Agave franzosinii and Agave americana borders the top of the Main Lawn.
Our online interactive map makes it easy to plan your visit to Lotusland. 
Help keep Lotusland beautiful with a donation. Your donated funds keep Lotusland beautiful! Remember or honor a loved one with a memorial donation or use company matching funds to double a gift. Online donations are completely secure. 
Ganna Walska died March 2, 1984, at Lotusland, leaving her garden and her entire estate to the Ganna Walska Lotusland Foundation, to insure that her legacy would remain in her gardens.