Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tour – Members Event
August 28 @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Onsite Members Event
Location
Tickets
Admission is Complimentary for Patron Circles
$40 for Supporter Members
Please note: After clicking “Reserve Now,” you will be redirected to our ticketing site. Be sure to select your desired date before completing your reservation.
Behind-the-scenes tour: Water Features
Join us for an exclusive members-only event at Lotusland: a behind-the-scenes tour of our captivating water features, led by the dedicated horticulturists who bring them to life. This intimate experience offers a rare opportunity to delve into the artistry and sustainable practices that shape some of Lotusland’s most enchanting aquatic spaces.
Guided by Anna Bower, Assistant Curator of the Living Collections, and Brigid McManus from our horticultural team, this tour will explore the serene Cycad Garden pond and the vibrant Water Garden. You’ll gain insights into the cultivation and care of our aquatic collections, including the majestic Victoria waterlilies, known for their enormous spiny pads and mysterious night-blooming flowers.  
The Cycad Garden pond, nestled among ancient cycads, serves as a reflective oasis, while the Water Garden showcases a stunning array of tropical and hardy waterlilies, as well as our namesake lotus flowers. Discover how these water features are maintained and the unique challenges involved in nurturing such delicate ecosystems. 
This event is tailored for members familiar with the garden, offering deeper insights into the meticulous care and creative vision behind our aquatic collections. Don’t miss this chance to engage directly with the experts who preserve the charm and vitality of these beloved water features.
Paths may be uneven so please wear appropriate footwear.
Reservations required and space is limited to 15 participants. For questions, please call 805.969.9990 or reserve online.
Victoria Waterlilies
With enormous spiny pads and mysterious night-blooming flowers, Victoria waterlilies have long captivated those lucky enough to witness this fascinating plant. In habitat, Victoria reside in seasonally flooded backwaters of the Amazonian and Paraná River basins and there are three species in the genus: Victoria amazonica, V. cruziana, and the newly described V. boliviana.
Victoria are started from seed at Lotusland’s nursery in the winter. Once the water temperatures in the outdoor ponds are warm enough they are placed in the Water Garden and Cycad Garden ponds. Victoria waterlilies bloom in an intriguing floral display over two nights with female and male structures developing consecutively.
