The Garden Club of Santa Barbara Celebrates its 100th Anniversary with Major Gifts to the Botanic Garden

The Garden Club of Santa Barbara celebrated its 100th birthday on April 4, 2016, with the gifting of two major gardens at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. 

The Children’s Centennial Maze, the first of its kind in Santa Barbara, and the historic Wooded Dell garden exemplify the Club’s long history of community giving in the fields of horticulture, conservation, education, and beautification. At their opening, a Mayoral Proclamation was presented to club members, followed by remarks from Dr. Steve Windhager, Botanic Garden Director, on the Garden’s 90- year shared history with the club.

Both gardens were planted by Garden Club members and Botanic Garden staff members, under the direction of SBBG Horticulture Director, Betsy Collins, and Arborist, Bruce Reed. The Garden Club of Santa Barbara funded both gardens, with additional funding by the WWW Foundation.

Wooded Dell Garden

The Wooded Dell Garden, adjacent to the Lockwood de Forest/Campbell Bench and Trail, is planted with a diversity of native species. Subtle design elements are in keeping with the historic intent and invite the visitor to pause and reflect on nature’s horticultural richness.