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.

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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/