Several weeks ago, I traveled to Santa Rosa to visit and explore the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens.  a registered National State and City Historic Landmark.  It is also an ASHS (American Society for Horticultural Science) Landmark. Luther Burbank was an important figure in Horticultural Science.  He introduced over 800 new varieties of fruits, flowers, and vegetables

Born March 7, 1849 in Lancaster Massachusetts and died in Rosa California, Luther Burbank a self-taught horticulturalist developed over 800 new varieties of plants, including over 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and ornamental flowers.  Using his native curiosity, he discovered potato seeds which he cultivated and eventually found one which was far superior than previous potatoes.  He sold this Burbank Potato (a russet Idaho potato) and used the proceeds to move to Santa Rosa and buy a house and farmland.  He was excited to be in California because of its ideal growing conditions and a longer growing season than Massachusetts.

The Luther Burbank Home and Garden was originally a 4-acre laboratory.  Parts of it were sold after his death by his widow Elizabeth.  There is now 1.6 plot which visitors can explore and become familiar with his life and background.  Luther is buried on the premises in the Victorino Garden next to the house.  Originally his grave was under a Cedar of Lebanon Tree which later had to be removed in 1989.  Many other dignitaries also have their ashes buried in the garden. 

The house itself is filled with original furniture.  It has many of the tiles that Elizabeth liked to collect and display.  Including tile work in the study depicting Don Quito tix chasing the windmills.  The guest book is signed by many important people at that time including Henry Ford and others.

Next to the house is the greenhouse where Burbank did his experiments of: cross-pollination, selective seed propagation and grafting.  Included in the greenhouse is a safe where the Burbank secret seeds, cuttings and notes were kept. It was a daily ritual among the workers to empty their pockets to keep the seeds from leaving the farm. His experiments were not limited to the house and garden he also had an experimental farm eight miles west inSebastopol.

There is his Shasta Daisy on display, an herbaceous perennial, considered by some to be a “perfect daisy.”  Also, there is Burbank Russet Idaho potato. This potato got Idaho famous for its potatoes.  You probably have had it as a French fry, a tater tot, or as some garlic fries!  Thank you, Mr. Burbank.

Other features in the garden include an apple tree with 21 species grafted on it.  A giant arbor of kiwi under which are pictures and posters of his accomplishments.  In the middle of one path sits a spineless cactus, also known as the alimony cactus.  Proceeds of its sale were given to Burbank's first wife.  The cactus was developed so people living in an arid desert climate could grow an edible plant.

Luther Burbank's contributions to agricultural were significant!  In fact, his Santa Rosa plum variant accounted for over 36% of that years California's harvest.

Going to Santa Rosa?  Check out the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens. It is so worth your time! And if you have time, just 8 miles away visit Burbank's Experimental Farm in Sebastopol. Check hours before you go.

Further Reading:

Luther Burbank's plums, by David Karp, @American Society for Horticultural Science 2015, Vol. 50 Issue 2, pp189-194.

https://Idaho.edu/cals/Idaho-agriculural Idaho Potato

Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, tour hand out, burbankhome@lutherburbank.org

Luther Burbank's Experimental Farm, www.wschsgrf.org

Luther Burbank's Tupper Street Home, by Dorothy Anne, Press Democrat, Dec. 22,1906