Luther Burbank Home & Gardens

Santa Rosa, California
June 2008

This 1.5-acre garden is the site where Luther Burbank, one of America’s foremost horticulturists, lived and worked for most of his career. It was left to the city of Santa Rosa by his widow in 1977, and is today a city park. The garden is a tribute to Burbank's work and features many of the plants he hybridized or selected.


As you enter the grounds, on your left is a lovely small rose garden featuring roses hybridized by Burbank, and other hybrids from the era.


There's a beautiful pink rose called 'Burbank' that is one of Luther Burbank's hybrids.


On the right is the home where Burbank lived for many years. After his death, his widow made numerous improvements.


Straight ahead is the carriage house which has been renovated as a small museum and gift shop.


There's a lovely old greenhouse that was designed and built by Burbank in 1889. Today it houses exhibits, and a recreation of Burbank's office.


Behind the carriage house is a lovely backyard planted with a wide variety of the kinds of plants Burbank worked with. There are beds of vegetables, beds of flowering plants, fruit trees and raspberry vines. Many have an interpretive label telling of Burbank's work with and interest in that particular group of plants. Some might find the signs too 'wordy', but I found them fascinating.


Luther Burbank’s most famous achievement is the Shasta Daisy. Burbank spent 17 years developing this, by hybridizing four species of daisy.




Burbank is also famous for introducing and promoting the ‘spineless prickly pear’. He selected varieties for both fruit and edible pads.



Burbank worked with many different types of plants over his long career and examples of most are planted and interpreted here. The garden has done an excellent job of labeling the plants and I was impressed by the depth and amount of interpretive material in the garden. The signs are low-tech and not very flashy but they are full of interesting information about Burbank and his plants. Although the garden is very small there was enough to keep us fascinated for a couple of hours.

To see more photos of the Luther Burbank Garden, click here.

Click here to visit the official website of the Luther Burbank Garden.   http://www.gardentourist.org/Luther_Burbank_Gardens/luther_burbank_gardens.html

Custom greenhouses

Distinctive Greenhouse Designs for Distinctive Properties

International Greenhouse Company has literally searched the world for the finest greenhouses and conservatories. As a result, IGC represents premier luxury greenhouse manufacturers providing beautiful, custom designed greenhouses. Our luxury line of estate quality garden structures are made from the finest materials and built to order so we can meet your unique requirements.

Choose Greenhouse Style, Color, and Equipment

When purchasing a luxury greenhouse from International Greenhouse Company, you are guaranteed a greenhouse that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also highly functional. A luxury greenhouse from IGC can be automated, irrigated, heated and cooled to be an effective tool for growing and maintaining plants. It can also be designed as a solarium or a combination of the two, becoming your own personal "Secret Garden."

Turn-key Solutions for Luxury Greenhouses

IGC offers turnkey greenhouse solutions with experience in the commercial and institutional greenhouse market since 1993. Over the years, we have provided unique controlled environments for a variety of challenging horticultural applications, both overseas and domestic. Because of this experience, our greenhouse experts thoroughly understand all phases of project management; from design and permitting greenhouse structures, through installation and operation. Our team of greenhouse professionals can work directly with your architect, contractor or project manager to ensure the successful completion of your project.

B.C. Custom Greenhouses

Manufactured in British Columbia, B.C. Custom Greenhouses are available in multiple configurations. We can help you design the greenhouse of your dreams. Painted aluminum frame with extra-thick profiles for strength and durability. Available in single or double pane glass OR high performance soft coat Low E glass, to keep your greenhouse cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Lean-To Greenhouses

Enjoy the easy access of a home-attached greenhouse. A lean-to greenhouse on a south-facing wall will be less expensive to heat and work better as a solar greenhouse in cold months than a free-standing greenhouse. Plus, a lean-to provides easy access to a kitchen garden or can be designed as a small conservatory, solarium or open addition to your living space.

The Royal Series

(featured at the top of the page)
IGC's appealing Royal Series luxury greenhouses are built with a "wide profile" Conservatory design. You will notice the open and spacious effect with high glass ceilings. A continuous roof ventilation system and roto-crank opening windows provide a comfortable environment. Sturdy double doors in the forefront complete with beautiful Garden Room/Conservatory designs. We offer various glazing options to meet your requirements; triple wall polycarbonate or tinted glass may be used in the roof above clear glass vertical walls.

Luxury Greenhouse Pool Enclosures

Unique pool enclosure designs sets our pool enclosures apart from more traditional covers. The large open span truss supports give plenty of height and an open space feel. High performance green reflective glass improves shading 40% over clear glass. Custom doors, windows, and roof vents create top to bottom ventilation.

  http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/category/luxury-greenhouses

Benefits of a greenhouse

  Sanctuary in your conservatory, benefits of a greenhouse
Gone are the days when only the most rich and affluent had the luxury of a greenhouse in their gardens. In the modern days greenhouses are rapidly gaining in popularity due to many benefits that can be gained. The recent innovations in greenhouse production have facilitated even the smallest garden to set up a small conservatory where they could grow plants and enjoy the accompanying benefits. Read further to find out the many advantages you can enjoy by having your own greenhouse.
A greenhouse is basically an enclosed area where you can control and monitor the growth of plants. Some will only flourish in full sun while some might shrivel and die when exposed to too much sun. Water has the same affect and you will need to regulate the level of water according to individual plants. You can also avoid excess heat or humidity within the greenhouse as opposed to the outside environment. If you have a large enclosure you can grow different plants in various sections.
Having a greenhouse means that you have the great advantage of extending seasons. You can plant seeds earlier than spring and wait for them to grow to a point where it could be put out side safely. Likewise you can maintain a spring effect through out the year. When all the plants freeze and wither away during winter you will still have a hot house full of flowers, vegetables and other plants within your climate controlled greenhouse. Extending seasons could be achieved by controlling the temperature, light and the dampness and humidity. Greenhouse suppliers in northern climate regions do a thriving business as the people use greenhouse kits in their gardens to extend a very short growing season. Greenhouses are not affected from the changes of climate and a sudden gust of strong wind, a heavy down pour or glaring sunlight during draughts will not harm the plants.
Greenhouse production could be turned in to a family occupation and this will create a special bond between your family members and you can build relationships while building your greenhouse.
You can nurture and grow all your favorite as well as rare and exotic plants in the greenhouse. They will be a perfect gift for those special days such as mother’s day, teacher’s day, a special birthday, Easter etc. Plants and flowers always lift spirits and therefore a plant grown with your special care and attention will be all the more appreciated.
Greenhouses protect the plants from being eaten up by bugs and pests who freely roam in outer gardens. You can also control intervention of over reactive children who love to potter around and end up doing more damage than good to the plants.
If you are growing a small vegetable garden in your greenhouse, you can enjoy having fresh vegetables and fruit in your daily meals and the best deal is you will know that they are free of harmful pesticide as utilized in commercial gardening.
Greenhouse suppliers offer kits in a variety of shapes and sizes. While some prefer to scout the market for a decorative green house with all the trimmings others prefer to set up their own using old windows and PVC pipes. Greenhouse kits are very easy and quick to install and they eliminate the hassle of setting up from scratch. There are greenhouse kits to match all types of budgets and they don’t run up maintenance costs.
A greenhouse is a great place to relax and chill out amid a perfect backdrop of eye soothing greenery, fragrance of blooming flowers and aromatic herbs. When you consider the initial cost of setting up against ensuing great benefits the factor of cost will diminish in importance. The underlying concept is that with a small investment and consumption of time and toiling in greenhouses, gardeners will reap greater benefits and countless potential for their plants

Tips on Building a Greenhouse for Your Home

There are lots of aspects to consider while building a greenhouse, but one of the most important of all is the design.
The type of your house and backyard together with the type of cultivation you wish to achieve should match the design of your greenhouse.
You can use two general greenhouse types: freestanding and attached.
Like everything, there are advantages and disadvantages to each type.
A freestanding greenhouse often is built in any place on your garden apart from the house. That means it is possible to locate it wherever it gets the most amount of direct sunlight or uses the shadows of the trees if needed. Because it is separated, it is important to take into account the lighting, electrical and water supply to be installed inside the greenhouse.
The following are two of many sorts for the freestanding greenhouse.
Juliana Greenhouse
This specific greenhouse design is one good example of what freestanding styles are. Those who have restricted space on their backyard will appreciate this greenhouse design.
Hideaway Greenhouse
It should be rather simple to build this greenhouse type. When you move, it can be easily disassembled and put together at your new place.
Attached greenhouses are miniature greenhouses that are fixed to any part of the house. It uses less space than a standalone design and it can be simple to attach water and electricity.
For better understanding, here are some of the examples of these greenhouses.
Even-span Greenhouse
Unlike the common attached greenhouses, this design is often considered a full-sized structure of its own. It still has its one gable end fixed at a home. Though it has lots of room and might be expanded if needed, it may be expensive.
Window-mounted Greenhouse
This type is normally attached to the south or east side of a home. This sort works well for persons who are building a greenhouse on a budget or do not have enough space for a bigger structure.
Prepare carefully prior to you start a greenhouse project. Better choose something that can offer you a good run for your money. The ending preference of the model depends on your house type, growing room desired, the backyard size, and costs. Keep in mind however it has to offer the proper environment to the plants.
There are a slew of resources online if you're interested in more greenhouse builds, but check out Home Built Greenhouse for more ideas and advice about your backyard greenhouse plans.
  http://technorati.com/lifestyle/diy/article/tips-on-building-a-greenhouse-for/

The Wow Factor

 

SCROLL DOWN FOR PICTURES

Sonoma Cedar Pergola

Shown with optional lattice ceiling panels, optional wall panels, and optional stucco clad post bases.

Tuscany Pergola

A great pergola for your great outdoor room! The Tuscany Pergola is a 14' x 14' outdoor living center piece


It's time to make the living area outside your home as stylish as the inside."

The last word in outdoor living: The Outdoor GreatRoom™

The era of mismatched tables, grills and lawn chairs is over. The age of the Outdoor GreatRoom has arrived. At Fire Stone we offer fully-coordinated packages of upscale fireplaces, campfires, grill islands, romantic lanterns and high-end weatherproof furniture. All beautifully framed by a graceful selection of pergolas.

A Fire Stone Outdoor GreatRoom is a fantastic upscale upgrade. It makes your outdoor living area look like a million dollars at a fraction of the cost of indoor construction. And you can build them in a fraction of the time. Best of all, the cost can be rolled into the mortgage.

Let our experts help you design your Outdoor GreatRoom. After all, what you're adding is the last word in gracious outdoor living. Make that word: Wow!

From the first name in outdoor living ideas: Fire Stone
Of all the home product companies, only one is dedicated to improving the outdoor living areas of your home - literally, to "think outside." That dedication has - in just a few short years - made Fire Stone the category leader. The one name more and more people trust for unique, upscale outdoor home products.







http://www.hurricanefenceneworleans.com/Pergolas/pergolas.htm

Outdoor Kitchen Ideas And Designs

Outdoor Kitchen Designs
Outdoor kitchen cabinets are constructed using durable materials like stone, stainless steel, and redwood. This protects them from the harmful effects of seasonal weather and termites.

quotecity

The outdoor kitchen is a luxury and should be treated as such. It is a place for family and friends to enjoy each other’s company while swimming in the pool or just entertaining a full house. This keeps the majority of them outside making clean up more enjoyable.

This Los Gatos, California kitchen combines a freestanding stone-clad pizza oven and an L-shaped stucco-and-stone island that, at this end, holds a built-in gas grill and a painted plank cabinet. The floor is poured concrete. Photo: Ray Kachatorian (via)

Real stone fascia and rare Brazilian granite grace this contemporary outdoor kitchen.

1930′s BBQ is updated to a modern outdoor kitchen to match new pool area. (BBQ)
How to build an outdoor kitchen http://www.kitchenbuilding.com/tag/outdoor-kitchen/

Extending Your Living Space with Outdoor Kitchen Landscape Design

Outdoor kitchen landscape design is an increasingly popular trend in garden planning, not just in the year round warmth of southern California, but in cooler climates as well.

Modern outdoor design takes the elegant style of your interior living space and continues it into the yard, creating the same functional living space on the outside. Because the kitchen is an integral part of entertaining at home, many people prefer an outdoor kitchen or sometimes referred to in the cooler climates as a 'Summer Kitchen' for convenient cooking and dining in the beautiful outdoors.

Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen

Designing an outdoor kitchen landscape design requires careful planning. Today’s kitchens are much more elaborate than the traditional outdoor grill near a picnic table and there are many things to consider to ensure a living area that is both functional and attractive.
Below is a colored rendering of an outdoor kitchen elevation that one of our landscape design members created for a client in Orange County, California. Heavy wooden beams with detailed corbels are perched on rustic stone columns providing shade over head for this Tuscan styled outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor Kitchen Appliances

Outdoor kitchen landscape design can be as simple, or as grand, as the homeowner desires. Many design plans for these functional outdoor living spaces recreate the modern conveniences of the indoors with outdoor plumbing, elegant counter tops, cabinets for storage, and refrigeration.

Get ready to enjoy your outdoor kitchen landscape design - click here to view a video about interesting grilling tips.


The size and number of your outdoor appliances and accessories will depend upon your budget, as well as the space available for your kitchen and the number of people it will typically be used for.
An outdoor grill or barbecue is the most basic component of your design. There are a variety of styles and types of appliances designed for the outdoors including the Viking outdoor cooking equipment shown in this photo.

Choosing Your Outdoor Grill

There are a wide variety of barbecue grills available. The right one for your outdoor kitchen will depend on the number of people you typically entertain in your home. A large cooking surface or double rack design will allow you to prepare bigger meals, but a compact model will be sufficient for more intimate gatherings.

Today’s outdoor grills feature a number of accessories and add-ons as well. Side burners are the best way to prepare a full meal without the inconvenience of being trapped indoors.
Choose from simple models with one or two burners or large barbecue grills with full sized cooking surfaces for the feeling of an indoor kitchen. Cabinets and storage areas are also popular options.

Click here for help choosing your perfect BBQ grill.

Outdoor Barbecue Islands

Luxurious outdoor kitchen landscape designs often feature a barbecue island to provide a functional, yet attractive, workspace for meal preparation as well as room for storage. Outdoor kitchen islands can be custom made from fine wood, polymer, or brick or can be purchased in prefabricated sections for convenient installation.

Custom outdoor barbecue islands are:

• Easily suited to the appearance of your home with matching brick or complementary wood.
• Built on site for permanence.
• Designed according to your specifications so your outdoor kitchen landscape design meets all your needs.

Prefabricated outdoor kitchen islands offer:

• A simple, piece together installation.
• A more affordable price.
• A variety of styles, materials, and colors to blend with your overall design.
• Several different options to personalize your outdoor kitchen.

Other Outdoor Appliances and Accessories

Your barbecue island can be designed to contain your grill as well as several other appliances and accessories that make outdoor entertaining more convenient and enjoyable. Refrigerators are extremely common elements of outdoor kitchen landscape designs. Sinks, beer taps, wine coolers, pizza ovens, warming trays, cabinets and storage, and even dishwashers can also be integrated into your plans. A custom outdoor kitchen design can provide unlimited possibilities for cooking outdoors.

Click here to learn more about outdoor appliances and accessories.

The Best Materials for Your Outdoor Kitchen

Because your outdoor kitchen will be open to the elements throughout the year, it is important to select materials designed for outdoor use. Polymer is a strong, weather-resistant material preferred by many landscape architects because of its ability to not peel or crack with changing climates. Brick is another long lasting material for outdoor use that has a luxurious appearance in your landscape design.

Counter tops and surfaces are typically finished with natural stone for a sophisticated look similar to your indoor kitchen design.
Granite, marble, and slate counter tops are common in high-end outdoor kitchen designs and ceramic tile is also an option hat can be found in several colors.
The final touches to any outdoor kitchen landscape design, regardless of how simple or elaborate, are outdoor accessories that enhance the overall style of your home. Dining furniture, decorative accents like sculptures, throw rugs, or potted plants, and the right outdoor lighting design can help unify your outdoor kitchen with the rest of your outdoor design as well as with the interior of your home.  http://www.landscape-design-advisor.com/outdoor-kitchen-landscape-design.html

Outdoor Living at its Finest with Tuscan Landscape Design

More and more homeowners are opting for a Tuscan landscape design for Old World charm that blends the elegance of their fine home with the natural beauty of simple gardens.

Your outdoor area is much more than the space that surrounds your home; it is an extension of your home.

The landscaping and décor of your garden defines the style, the atmosphere, and the appearance of your outdoor living space.

Equal importance should be given when choosing your plant material. Creating structure using trees and shrubs is key when designing a Tuscan landscape design. After that, soften with ground covers and flowers are in order.


Today’s Tuscan style landscapes often combine the elegant feel of Italian landscape design from the Renaissance period with the peasantry gardens and rustic accessories of the enchanting farms of Tuscany.


The video below showcases our members work and illustrates how the use of certain materials can create a unique Tuscan look and feel...

Tuscan gardens are distinct from other landscaping styles because of its rustic, yet elegant flair. Experience the look and feel of Tuscany in your own yard by carefully planning your outdoor space, using the right materials and Tuscan landscape design style accessories.

Selecting the Best Materials for Tuscan Gardens

Tuscan gardens are popular for their beauty, as well as the simplicity and ease of maintenance they offer. Paths, patios, and other functional areas are essential to any comfortable outdoor living design and the type of material used to create these floors plays an important part in defining the atmosphere and theme of your outdoor area.


To create a Tuscan garden look, consider these flooring options:



• Ceramic decorative tiles adds authentic charm to any Mediterranean design. Use them to create a pattern that will add a slash of color to an otherwise dull patio. They also can be used on stair risers and counter tops. Choose colors that will tie in other elements in your garden.


• Saltillo tiles create charming walks and floors with a rustic feel. Choose only a porcelain saltillo instead of the porous generic type to avoid repetitive stripping and sealing routines.



• Weather treated bricks are easy to maintain and can be mortared in place or sand set for and even more uneven rustic feel.




• Flagstone offers a smooth, elegant style of charm for contemporary Tuscan landscape design with the same convenience as brick.

• Pebble tile has been used for centuries in Italy to create a durable, natural finish. Use it as a solid pattern or as bands to create a unique accent.
• Arto pavers are a quite popular flooring option for many magnificent California homes with lush Tuscan gardens. These exquisite tiles make beautiful patios and walkways that balance the beauty and elegance of modern homes without losing the quaint Tuscan charm of your landscape design.

• Tumbled travertine is another paving material that can refine the rustic feel of your garden, allowing the simple Tuscan theme of your outdoor living area to blend with the sophistication of your modern home.

• Aggregate finish with its hard, colored gravel textured surface is a good, inexpensive way to create a natural look and combines well with stone and tile accents.

• Gravel is the ideal flooring choice for a rustic Tuscan landscape design on a limited budget. Like other flooring materials, there are a variety of colors available. A subtle, neutral color will best accent the Tuscan feel; it is best to avoid white or gray gravel.

• Decomposed granite is a time tested favorite for naturally appealing pathways and is another inexpensive option for the paving areas of your yard.

Accessories That Complement Your Tuscan Design

Like the materials used to pave your patios and walkways, the decorations and furnishings you choose to incorporate into your landscape design help define your Tuscan theme.

Choose items that reflect the rustic and simple appearance of Tuscany, as well as the elegance of your home. Décor with a Mediterranean flair is perfect for this type of look.

If you are looking for unique Tuscan decor we recommend checking out Design Toscano. They carry a large quantity of rare and unusual garden products with a European flair.


Consider these accessories:
• Terra cotta accents are one of the most simple and inexpensive ways to bring a sense of Old World Tuscan charm into your garden. Decorate with terra cotta planters of various shapes and sizes, decorative urns, and other terra cotta pottery.

BurkeDecor has good collection of Mediterranean pots of Portuguese origin. These reproduced antique vessels originally used for transporting olive oil, wine, and molasses are true in every detail. Whats great about these pots are they're light weight and last longer than their terra cotta cousins. They also offer free shipping on orders over $50.
Plant these beautiful wide-rim planters with overflowing creepers or flowers for an authentic Tuscan landscape design effect at the entrance of your home or patio area.



• Italian ceramic pottery can add colorful accents to your garden. thatsArte.com has a wonderful collection of old world ceramic pottery which can be shipped worldwide. The Italian owners Tiziana and Manuela share a passion for the very finest Italian artistic majolica.

They search out ceramic centers located in the small medieval cities of Italy for the worlds most talented artisans who use the same process their ancestors did centuries ago.
Besides their unique collection of planters, they also carry a wide selection of ceramics including tile and dinnerware that can also add to your outdoor living space.
Each piece is delicately hand made and hand painted like this beautiful Planter "1700" by Giacomo Alessi pictured here.
Use them on their own or combine them in groups of various sizes and styles. Plant them with topiary, dwarf shrubs, rosemary, lavender or herbs... anything with green or gray foliage is fine as long as it doesn't compete with the planter's colorful pattern.

• Clay roof tiles and heavy beams of dark wood will add authenticity to your Tuscan landscape design. They can be used to unify your indoor and outdoor living areas into an astounding, elegant estate that is as magnificent outside as it is inside.

• Accent walls can add a sense of elegance to your Tuscan landscape design. Stone walls make wonderful barriers and dividers for your gardens and flowerbeds and, at the same time, they give your yard a simple, Tuscan flair.

• Wall art is another good way to warm up an exterior wall.
The Outdoor Art Store offers the largest selection of outdoor wall art online. The art is made specifically for the outdoors by renowned artists in every style imaginable like this Tuscan print by Sarina shown here.
Take time to peruse their site to pick out a piece that will complement the style and color scheme of your outdoor setting.

• Wall fountains are commonly found in Mediterranean gardens and make beautiful additions to your design.

• Teak wood furniture and accessories can also give your garden an Old World appearance without shadowing the modern, sophisticated design of your home.
• Wrought iron can be a great way add a rustic touch and can be used as fireplace accessories, window and door hardware, lighting, urns, gates and even as mosaics embedded in paving.

Flora That Completes Your Tuscan Garden

The plants and flowers you decide to feature along your walkways and throughout your backyard are the final key to designing a beautiful outdoor living space with a Tuscany theme.

The “best plants for your Tuscan garden” are any of the lush flowers and shrubs common to the Mediterranean region. Creeping vines make rustic adornments, while vegetable and herb gardens are both aromatic and useful. Click here for more information on the types of garden plants found in a Tuscan landscape design.

Your outdoor living area should be just as beautiful, functional, and enjoyable as the inside of your home. If you desire a yard with an Old World, Tuscan flair, it is important to blend this theme into the modern style of your home. Many local landscapers fail to pay attention to the small details mentioned above that are essential for a true Tuscan landscape design.

These tips and ideas are designed to help you gather your thoughts about what you want for your own Tuscan landscape design. We recommend consulting the services of our professional landscape architects and garden designers who can further assist you with the right materials, plants, and accessories for the ideal Tuscan outdoor living area.
Our member designers are from all over the world, from the Mediterranean regions of California all the way to Tuscany, Italy. Use our Member Directory to locate one near you.   http://www.landscape-design-advisor.com/tuscan-landscape-design.html