Collections

Spread out over 107 acres, our botanical collection consists of over 100,000 plants from the Mediterranean climate regions of the world. Completion of development for the full 107 acres is slated for the 2040s. Our current gardens replicate plant communities and associations as they occur in nature; some areas focus on ornamental displays or annual plantings.

The Chilean garden highlights unusual plants from the plant communities of central Chile, many not commonly seen in Southern California. This collection has been built through partnerships with botanic gardens in Chile and through collection expeditions there. It includes rare and endangered species under conservation. When completed, it will be the largest Chilean Garden outside of Chile.

The "Ramble" runs through the center of the gardens and represents native California communities in a naturalistic presentation. This is the largest section in our Master Plan and will encompass roughly one-third of the garden when complete. The Ramble is an experimental area focused on restoration and education, and not a formal garden. Visitors experience coastal sage scrub, chaparral and woodland plant communities typically found in Ventura County and southern California in general. Embedded within the native California plant communities are special rare and endangered plants that are part of conservation projects, including plants only found in our region that occur on volcanic outcrops. The Ramble has expanded significantly since the 2017 Thomas Fire with new plants added, resulting in greater biodiversity of plants and wildlife— a treat for visitors in the spring and summer. Spring wildflowers are profuse in years with ample rain.

Two portions of the South African garden have been developed with plant collections representing the Fynbos and Karoo plant communities. This is the most developed of the gardens, adjacent to Summit Plateau where events are held, a roughly 2-mile walk from the entrance. The Fynbos collection is the most colorful garden populated with protea, ericas, Africa bulbs and geraniums while the Karoo collection includes giant aloe trees and specimen Corals. These spectacular plants are accompanied by expansive views of historic downtown Ventura, the California coastline, the Channel Islands and the Santa Monica mountains.