Luther Burbank Home and Garden

Ten plaques stand in this garden, none of them the state's own, and none marks the grave. Burbank was buried in 1926 beneath a cedar of Lebanon he had grown from seed, and Frida Kahlo, after visiting his widow in 1930, painted him growing out of his own grave. The cedar came down in 1989; the grave is unmarked. Elizabeth Burbank is among thirteen officials named on the 1959 rebuilding plaque, and the house passed to the city at her death in 1977. The Clampers cast his potato as Russett.

What the plaque says

In this garden 1881 1926 Luther Burbank wrought with living plants to bring to the world greater fertility, wealth and beauty developing new varieties which produced better fruits and more beautiful flowers. Tablet placed by the Historic Landmarks Committee, Native Sons of the Golden West. May 22, 1938. Luther Burbank Home & Gardens Reconstructed as a memorial to Luther Burbank and his works 1959 by the grateful citizens of the City of Santa Rosa In memory of Luther Burbank by his Masonic brethren May 19, 1961 In memory of Luther Burbank for his great contributions to agricultural production the world over Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce May 14, 1964 Luther Burbank House and Garden has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935 this site possesses exceptional value in commemorating and illustrating the history of the United States U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service 1964 Luther Burbank Home Luther Burbank was born in Massachusetts on March 7, 1849 and arrived in Santa Rosa in October 1875. In 1884 he purchased four acres surrounding this site as a place for horticultural experiments. Here he lived and worked until his death on April 11, 1926. Burbank's work led quickly to international fame and thousands of visitors came to see the "Plant Wizard" at work. Within the rich horticultural legacy left by Burbank are the Burbank Russett potato and the Shasta daisy. Dedicated August 15, 1987 by Yerba Buena No. 1 and Sam Brannan No. 1004 Chapters of E Clampus Vitus Luther Burbank Home & Gardens has been designated City Historic Landmark No. 7 by the Cultural Heritage Board City of Santa Rosa 1991 The American Society for Horticultural Science Hereby Recognizes Luther Burbank Home & Gardens as an ASHS Horticultural Landmark A living museum sharing the legacy of Luther Burbank with the local and global communities while promoting public understanding of the relationship between the plant world, humanity and the rest of nature. 7 March 2003 Luther Burbank March 1849 – April 1926 Home & Experimental Gardens In memory of our citizen of the world, whose love for youth and growing things was expressed in the work done in these gardens. The perpetual ownership of these grounds is now vested, through the generosity of Mrs. Burbank, in the City of Santa Rosa. Luther Burbank Home & Gardens Sonoma County has been designated Registered State Historic Landmark No. 234 by the California Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks 1935

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• John Medica's Castles & Garden — 2.8 mi
• Hood House — 7.3 mi
• Cotati Downtown Plaza — 7.6 mi
• Petrified Forest — 9.2 mi