Taft Gardens & nature Preserve

At Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve, we invite you to explore a variety of distinct locations, each offering a unique experience, from cultivated botanical collections to serene natural landscapes.

SOUTH AFRICAN GARDEN

Planted in the late 1980s, this garden was designed by Laurence Nicklin, a Horticulturist who worked at the renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town. Enamoured by exotic plants, John Taft brought Laurence to Ojai to help propagate a collection of flora native to South Africa. The plants were selected for their ability to thrive in Ojai's Mediterranean climate, and the garden was designed to come alive with vibrant color in the Springtime. Here, you'll discover a medley of intriguing shapes and textures, including small, bell-shaped blossoms that grow in dense clusters Purple Heath (Ericaceae), big, plasticky Leucospermum (Proteas) flowers and Pom Pom Flame Tips (Proteas), as well as tall flowering bulbs like Bulbil Watsonia (Irdaceae).

Aloe Garden

With a focus on South African species, this garden features a vast collection of aloe plants, some reaching impressive heights of 8 to 12 feet. From mid-winter to early spring, the collection comes alive with striking red, yellow, pink, and orange blooms with spiral patterns that attract a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Guests will find a number of interesting varieties, such as the Aloe ferox (Asphodelaceae), known for its fierce-looking spines and towering flower stalks. Other notable plants include Aloe speciosa (Asphodelaceae), with its stunning pink and green markings and distinctive way its flowers tilt to one side, and Kniphofia (Asphodelaceae), which have long, narrow, arching, grass-like leaves and stunning gradients.

Lily Grove Lawn

Nestled in the center of our cultivated gardens is this beloved lawn area shaded by majestic, old-growth oak trees. The Lily Grove Lawn provides a serene backdrop for professional photoshoots, picnics, and is, most notably, a premier wedding location at Taft. It is also a key transition point, situated at the juncture of the South African and Australian Gardens, where you can see the whimsical South African Cabbage Trees (Cussonia) on one side and stately Western Australian Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoeaceae) on the other. This elegant space is adorned with Clivia Miniata (Amaryllidaceae) and Calla Lilies (Arums) from March through May, making it a perfect spot for ceremonies.

AUSTRALIAN GARDEN

Designed by Jo O’Connell of Australian Native Plants Nursery in nearby Casitas Springs, this garden was established in the late 1980’s. Jo cultivated the collection by bringing seeds from Australia and gathering clippings of Australian plants already thriving in California. This section of Taft Gardens features a diverse range of drought-tolerant flora, including iconic species like Western Australian Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea) and the bulbous (and very huggable) Queensland Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris), which produces striking purple flowers in the summer that fall to the ground and blanket our pathways. Showcasing the extraordinary color and shapes of Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea, and Dryandra, as well as multiple varieties of Bottlebrush (Myrtaceae), this garden attracts a wonderful variety of hummingbirds and other wildlife.

CACTUS GARDENS

Our collections of cacti, agaves, and other succulents are showcased in two distinct gardens on the property. The first, Eduardo’s Garden, is easily accessible across the main paved road that runs parallel to the South African Garden. The second, the Pavilion Garden, is situated directly in front of the Pavilion House. Both feature large Golden Barrel Bactus (Kroenleinia grusonii) with Fibonacci-like patterns, and the majestic Century Plant (Asperagaceae). Highlights include the Golden Torch Cactus (Cactaceae), which produces spectacular white flowers that open at night under the light of the moon. You'll also find the expressive old man cactus (Cephalocereus Senilis), aptly named for its shaggy coat of long, white hair.

Studio GARDEN

Hosting some beautifully colorful flora and serving as the hub for our Art in Nature Residency program, this part of the property helps connect our Central Coast creatives to the Ojai community. The hexagonal Historic Art Studio is the centerpiece, where our nine-month artists-in-residence create and exhibit their work during the residency season, from October through June. The smaller Protea Studio accommodates our one-month artists. Around late Spring or early Summer, the garden transforms into an open-air exhibition space, with arbors and former raptor cages repurposed for immersive art installations. Live performances, lectures, and wellness retreats are hosted in our rustic outdoor Amphitheater year-round. Event tickets can be purchased via our Events page.

Amphitheater

Our rustic outdoor Amphitheater offers a distinctive and memorable setting, and it is available for both private rentals and our own programming. Surrounded by Oak Trees and Bougainvillea, this unique space features a stage, open lawn, and built-in benches around its perimeter. It provides excellent acoustics and can comfortably accommodate rental chairs and picnic blankets, making it ideal for intimate musical performances, environmental presentations, sound baths, and ceremonial gatherings. For inquires please visit or Venue page.

PolLinator Garden

Located at the edge of Studio Garden, and known as the gateway to the Nature Preserve, our Pollinator Garden was planted in 2022 to support the native insects, birds, and small mammals responsible for moving pollen from one flower to another, an essential process that allows plants to fertilize and reproduce. This essential process supports the health of the entire ecosystem. Through habitat restoration, research, and educational initiatives, we strive to strengthen the area's pollinator populations. Our goal is to educate the community on the importance of this work in increasing biodiversity and cultivating a more resilient and sustainable landscape.

Labyrinth

Nestled between our cultivated gardens and the Nature Preserve, the Pollinator Garden shares a tranquil space with our stone Labyrinth. Its path, shaped like the grand oak that shades it, is a Baltic Wheel design and invites visitors into a meditative journey. By walking the labyrinth, you can practice mindfulness, gain spiritual insight, and tap into a sense of clarity, all while deepening your connection with the natural world.

NATURE PRESERVE

The Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve, situated on the ancestral territory of the Chumash People, encompasses over 200 acres of stewarded open space, surrounded on three sides by the Los Padres National Forest. Our Preserve is protected by a conservation easement with the Humane World for Animals Wildlife Land Trust. This legal agreement limits development and holds us accountable for protecting the land’s natural resources and wildlife habitats. This ensures that the majority of our land remains a wildlife corridor, allowing safe passage for animals living on the property and in nearby protected areas. We also offer various programs and initiatives focused on land care, restoration, and sustainability. 

Vista Point

A five-minute walk uphill from the Pollinator Garden offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the cultivated gardens, interesting rock formations, and the surrounding landscape. Situated on a flat mesa of striking red clay soil, the lookout is marked by a stone equinox wheel representing the four directions, seasons, elements, and stages of life. From here, guests can take in panoramic views of the Topa Topa Mountains and Lake Casitas. The Vista Point is also a popular destination for Stargazing events hosted by Russell Crotty and Laura Gruenther and is often included in guided tours such as Nature Immersion with Elena Rios and Herb Walks with Lanny Kauffer.