Green Power
Botanical Splendor is everywhere at Lotusland Celebrates 2026
Written by Joan Tapper
It’s always a pleasure to visit Ganna Walska Lotusland, the world-renowned 37-acre nonprofit that has welcomed visitors for more than three decades. But the garden is about more than mere enjoyment, and the sold-out fundraising gala on July 18—Lotusland Celebrates 2026: Botanical Splendor—showcased its enduring power to “inspire beauty, creativity, community, and promote environmental stewardship.” Special guest Martha Stewart and host Jane Lynch also underscored the creative legacy of Lotusland founder Ganna Walska during the glittering annual event, which provides philanthropic support for the horticultural collections.
Certainly the beauty and creativity were evident from the moment the 500 guests (many in garden-themed attire) set foot on the winding paths through Lotusland’s diverse environments—from the Japanese Garden, where Andrea Brook of Sonic Butterfly was playing an acoustic chromatic long-string harp strung over the water; down aloe-lined walks to the Water Garden, where a jazz trio provided an aural backdrop for the water lilies and lotus plants; and finally to the Great Lawn, where artful displays offered variations on the floral theme (next to the Botanical Bakery, with its elaborate cookies decorated with birds and flowers, Kathryn Hastings showed off her flowery wax seals). There was also a milliner’s garden of blooming headwear, an antique potting bench, and an in-progress painting by Kristi Johnson of one of Lotusland’s theater gnomes.
After cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a three-course alfresco dinner catered by Paula LeDuc, the heart of the program paid homage to the spirit of community and environmental stewardship, as television personality and avid gardener Martha Stewart spoke about the excellence and impact of Lotusland: “Approximately one-third of the living collections are threatened in their native habitats,” she said, “which makes these collections even more valuable because you can come and see them here, where they are protected, nurtured, reproduced, and cared for.”
A private tour of Stewart’s own garden, plus luncheon at her Cantitoe Corners estate, was a sought-after item during a spirited live auction. Among the other one-of-a-kind offerings were a stay at Chateau Troplong Mondot in Saint-Émilion, France; jewelry by David Webb; a custom-designed rose garden by Rose Story Farm founder Danielle Dall’Armi; and a private dinner at Lotusland with the chefs of Podere Le Ripi. Along with more than 40 additional online auction items that spanned travel, art, design, garden collections, and rare jewelry—plus a paddle raise that demonstrated the generosity of the guests—the gala raised more than $1.5 million to sustain Lotusland now and in the future.
“Gardens nourish more than landscapes,” CEO Rebecca Anderson said. “They nourish the soul. Lotusland offers a place for worship of the natural world, as well as a space for reflection, inspiration, wonder, and renewal. We are proud to share that gift with our community.”
