Faced
with California’s ongoing drought, Santa Barbara residents have complied
admirably with the water
conservation
guidelines established by the city government. One of the water-saving
techniques adopted by residents is the inclusion of drought-resistant
landscaping in their gardens. Homeowners throughout the city are replacing
non-native plants and large expanses of grass with more water-efficient yard
designs. Landscape components and irrigation systems sanctioned by the City of
Santa Barbara are also eligible for rebates, which further encourages residents
to help the city meet its water conservation goals.
Even
as the city has decreased its water use, several lush public gardens are still
thriving, thanks to responsible management practices. Here is a list of four
beautiful gardens where Santa Barbara residents and visitors can take a
relaxing stroll, admire unique plants and flowers, and take home some ideas for
their own yards.
1. Santa Barbara
Botanic Garden
Established
90 years ago, this 78-acre expanse of land conserves the native plants of
California for future generations. Backed by the Santa Ynez Mountains, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden allows visitors to explore flower-lined pathways
leading to sites such as the Blaksley Boulder, an enormous sandstone rock flanked
by trees that marks the center of the garden.
Along
with its colorful flowers, succulents, and shrubs, the garden also provides
guests with the opportunity to observe historical architecture in the form of
the Mission Dam and Aqueduct, a structure designed by Franciscan padres and
built by local Chumash Native Americans more than 200 years ago. In recent
years, the structure has been designated as a historic landmark by the state of
California.
In
the wake of 2009’s Jesusita Fire, a significant portion of the garden’s eastern
trails were burned. However, nature’s resilience has allowed much of the local
plant life to flourish again, and stunning views of the Channel Islands can now
be seen through the young plants from the garden’s Porter Trail.
2. Lotusland
While
the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden serves as a testimony to the beauty of
California’s indigenous plant species, Lotusland celebrates the exotic flora from gardens
around the world. Originally functioning as the estate of famous opera singer
Madame Ganna Walska, Lotusland is now a public garden that is home to more than
3,000 types of plants.
On
the 37 acres of grounds at Lotusland are gardens representing several landscape
design styles, regions of the world, and types of plants. An Australian garden features
a grove of eucalyptus trees, while a Japanese garden hosts koi fish ponds, Japanese
maple trees, and pine trees sculpted in the niwaki style. Additional types of
gardens on the premises include butterfly, topiary, and water gardens, the
latter of which is home to the establishment’s renowned Asian lotus and water lily
display.
Due
to Lotusland’s location in a private neighborhood, those who wish to visit the
gardens must make reservations. Paths throughout the grounds are
wheelchair-friendly and guests of all ages are welcome on tours.
3. Casa del
Herrero
Located
on another former estate, the gardens of Casa del Herrero take visitors back to a time referred to
colloquially as the “Golden Age of American Gardens.” During this period
between the late 19th and mid-20th century, wealthy estate owners expressed
their artistic tastes through the creation of expansive gardens surrounding
their homes.
The
house itself was designed by George Washington Smith, an architect known for employing
the Spanish Colonial Revival style in his designs. Before reaching the gardens,
guests can view the hand-painted alcora tiles, intricate wood carving, and
decorative ironwork that decorate the home’s interior. Outside, visitors can
see the extension of Casa del Herrero’s colorful architecture in the garden’s
patios and seating.
The
main path leads visitors through areas of greenery punctuated by tiled pools
and fountains, with secondary trails leading away toward outdoor rooms designed
for relaxation. Combining elements of Spanish, Moorish, and European design,
the gardens feature a number of native California plants alongside rose bushes,
citrus trees, and a variety of multi-colored wildflowers. Additionally, the grounds
encompass the Arizona Gardens, which are devoted to cacti and desert succulents.
4. Alice Keck
Park Memorial Garden
Alice Keck Park
Memorial Garden was built and named in the honor of its benefactress. Located
near downtown Santa Barbara, this garden is unique among the others in its provisions
for self-guided tours. Pamphlets provided at a kiosk near the entrance record numbered
names of plant species, with a corresponding map contained within the booklet.
This allows visitors to learn about the plant life they are observing at their
own pace.
At
the garden’s center is a gazebo that overlooks a pond filled with koi fish and
turtles, located near a shaded path that leads to a sundial. Benches line the
winding trails and allow visitors a place to sit and enjoy the scenery, while
pockets of grass serve as an ideal setting for picnics.
The
most recently developed feature on the grounds is the sensory garden, which
contains a collection of plant life that is visually dynamic and distinctly
tactile. Other plants with intense fragrances also grow in this area of the
garden, and talking signs dictate information about the surrounding plant life
so that visually impaired visitors can learn about the landscape.
The
Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden is open daily from eight in the morning until
sunset, and admission is free. Additional special sections of the 4.6 acre-garden
include a butterfly garden and a low water-use demonstration garden.
