Lotusland’s 13th Annual Exceptional Plants Auction

Ganna Walska Lotusland is thrilled to announce that tickets and sponsorship packages for the 13th Annual Exceptional Plants Auction are now available!

Join us on October 5th from 1 – 4 pm at Lotusland for the ultimate plant party! Enjoy signature cocktails and light bites while hobnobbing with more than 300 of the region’s top plant experts, collectors and aficionados. You’ll have the opportunity to bid on numerous rare and specimen plants and vie for the chance to take home exceptional botanical treasures. Featuring impressive contributions propagated in Lotusland’s nursery as well as donations from botanic gardens, universities, private collectors, landscape designers, horticulture specialists, and Southern California’s most esteemed nurseries, this is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about plants. Proceeds support the care of Lotusland’s extraordinary plant collections.

Event Highlights:

• Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
• Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Location: Lotusland, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
• Purpose: Support Lotusland and the care of its Collections
• Tickets and Sponsorships: Available now
• Tickets: $125 Members/$150 Non-Members

Patron Tickets: $300 – includes cocktails and light fare

Sponsorship Packages begin at $1,000

• Website: https://auctria.events/ExceptionalPlants

This year’s auction will feature a selection of rare and unusual cycads including Encephalartos horridus x Encephalartos woodii, a unique hybrid created at Lotusland, as well as palms, begonias, bromeliads (including specimen Tillandsia), succulents (aloe, agave, euphorbia, cacti), Australian native plants, orchids, unusual trees, artful succulent arrangements, and locally made ceramic pots.

A signature event since 2012, Exceptional Plants is a homage to Lotusland’s founder and the ultimate plant collector, Madame Ganna Walska, who was famous for selling her jewelry collection to finance her plant obsession. Her dedication made Lotusland one of the premier botanical gardens in the world and a haven for rare and endangered plants. This auction continues her legacy while advancing Lotusland’s mission to preserve and protect biodiverse plant life.

Conservation at Lotusland:
Lotusland is a leader in conservation and is a recipient of the convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) certificate. Lotusland is an official Plant Rescue Center for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Our commitment to biodiversity and conservation is evident in our plant collections, with include more than 35,000 plants and 3,500 species, one-third of which are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants.

Sustainable Horticulture at Lotusland:
As a pioneer in sustainable horticulture practices and techniques, Lotusland serves as a model for public and private gardens across the globe demonstrating how to maintain and care for rare plant collections and all types of plants responsibly and respectfully.

Sponsorship Opportunities:
Event Sponsors will receive recognition in event materials, VIP access, and other exclusive benefits.
This is a unique opportunity to support Lotusland and gain visibility within the community of plant
aficionados and collectors. Contact: slloydknauf@lotusland.org for more information on sponsorship.
For more information, please visit the event website: https://auctria.events/ExceptionalPlants or
contact Katherine Colin, Director of Marketing and Communications, Ganna Walska Lotusland at
kcolin@lotusland.org or (805) 324-8422

Meet Our Exceptional Plants Committee Experts:

Community leaders and volunteers who shape the landscapes across the South Coast

Paul Mills, Director of Conservation and Curator of Living Collections at Lotusland
Paul Mills is the curator of living collections at Lotusland and heads the Exceptional Plants
Auction committee. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in botanical curation, Paul has
been instrumental in maintaining and enhancing Lotusland’s plant collections.

Jeff Chemnick, Aloes in Wonderland
Jeff Chemnick is a renowned authority on Mexican cycads, with numerous publications and
several species described. He leads botanical and ornithological ecotours in Mexico, focusing on
Oaxaca and Chiapas. Jeff isa member of the IUCN’s Cycad Specialist Group. He owns Aloes-in-
Wonderland,a specialty nursery in Santa Barbara, and is a research associate at Lotusland.

Christi Walden, Seacrest Nursery
Christi Walden, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Seacrest Nursery, brings her extensive
knowledge and passion for palm trees to the event. Seacrest Nursery, established by her father
Jack Stevenson, is known for introducing many new palm species into commercial cultivation.
Christi continues the family legacy and is a generous contributor to Lotusland’s Exceptional Plants
Auction.

Robert Bett, PlantHaven
Robert Bettis the CEO of PlantHaven International, a leading agency assisting plant breeders
worldwide. Robert’s leadership has been instrumental in bringing innovative plant varieties to
market, making significant contributions to the horticultural community.

Randy Baldwin, San Marcos Growers
Randy Baldwin, President of San Marcos Growers, has beena cornerstone in the horticultural
community for over 36 years. His expertise in Mediterranean and California-native plants has
greatly expanded the nursery’s offerings. Randy’s involvement with Lotusland and various
horticultural committees underscores his dedication to sustainable and innovative plant
cultivation.

Mike Tully, Terra Sol Nursery
Mike Tully, co-owner of Terra Sol Garden Center, has taught and inspired innumerable plant
lovers and his commendable achievements in horticulture have earned the community’s respect
and admiration. His nursery, known for its diverse and unique plant offerings, reflects Mike’s
passion and extensive knowledge.

For more information or to schedule an interview contact:
Katherine Colin, Director of Marketing and Communications, Ganna Walska Lotusland
at kcolin@lotusland.org or (805) 324-8422