For me the magic of Lotusland is in it's drama and over-the-top plantings. If three of something would be good for a normal garden then Ganna Walska needed three dozen (at the very least). The Huntington will always be tops for sheer size and depth of plantings (labeling too!) but if what you're after is something personal and theatrical than Lotusland is the garden for you.
The Bromeliad Garden in original form was planted in 1968. I'm a little unclear if those plants were moved to this location or if this is part of that original garden. Of course had we toured with a docent I'm sure I would have been told, but we coughed up the cash to become members so we could wander the garden at our own pace (much better for photo taking!)...
We wandered back and forth, up and down, these pathways for quite awhile — there was so much to see.
And while I loved the sunny days we had in California a few high clouds would have made for much better photos in this part of the garden. Dramatic shadows play hell with my camera.
With that warning I will leave you to enjoy photos, such as they are.
The stone grotto was built for Madame Walska in the 1940s, the lead roosters came from France.
I left the Bromeliad Garden very inspired.
Of course the ways I'll transfer this inspiration into my own garden will be tempered by the fact none of these plants can live outdoors here year round.
Oh to live in coastal Southern California!
This is why I bought the clump of Tillandsia usneoides I mentioned in Monday's post. It was everywhere here!
Wasn't that amazing? But just think...there is plenty more Lotusland magic to come!
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.