Get ready for another fabulous Lotusland plant auction and sale. This signature event is for garden connoisseurs, collectors, passionate gardeners and plant geeks. A spirited live auction featuring rare and hard-to-find plants headlines the event. The first plants to hit the auction list are propagations from Lotusland and, as to be expected, there are some interesting and rare specimens. An unusual crassula that is rarely encountered at nurseries, Crassula streyi, will be offered. This succulent plant has leaves that are glossy green on top and deep burgundy red on the underside. It prefers shade, a major selling point for anyone wanting succulents for darker corners of the garden. Signature begonias from the collection will include B. gehrtii, which has extremely crumpled leaves and the very frilly B. ‘Madame Queen’ among others. From the giant leaves of Xanthosoma (a relative of the taro plant) to the diminutive ones of a succulent Peperomia kimnachii, there will be a wide variety of plant forms to choose from. Subtropical aroids like Anthurium watermaliense and desert-loving aloes such as Aloe confusa as well as cactuses and palms will round out the list. Look for updates on www.lotusland.org weekly.
Guests will be treated to specialty cocktails, wine, beer and sumptuous hors d’oeuvres to keep the mood festive. The live auction once again features the talents of auctioneer Jeff Chemnick and for the impulse buyers there is an expanded selection of fine plants available to “buy now”. Tickets can be purchased on our website or by calling Felicity Larmour at 805.969.3767 ext. 109. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Virginia Hayes for plant donations 805.969.3767 ext. 104. Tickets $125.00