Summer at Burbank Gardens
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through summer! As I write this in mid-July, I’m reflecting on everything the season has brought so far—our stunning Shasta Daisies in full bloom, the pruning of the walnut trees, planting our very first pumpkin patch, harvesting the first of Luther’s Stringless green beans, and watching the plums begin to ripen in the orchard. It’s a beautiful and productive summer at Burbank Gardens…and it’s not over yet!
None of this would be possible without our dedicated volunteer gardener team, and I’m so grateful to coordinate such a passionate group.
Historic Trees, Expert Hands: Vintage Tree Care’s Gift to Burbank Gardens Friday June 20th was a very special day at Burbank Gardens. For the third year in a row, one of our regular sponsors, Arborist and Owner of Vintage Tree Care, Fred Frey, brought his crew to the gardens to care for a select group of our trees.
Fred, a fifth-generation Santa Rosan, has deep roots and a strong commitment to his community. He actively participates in volunteer work and served as a former president of the California Arborist Association. His dedication to arboriculture has earned him numerous industry awards, including Volunteer of the Year from the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.
As a true friend of the gardens, Fred was in the “bucket”, pruning several of our historic Burbank hybridized Walnut Trees—including the Paradox Walnut, planted by Luther Burbank himself in the late 1800s. In addition to pruning these historic trees, Fred and team removed an invasive tree in the Wildlife Habitat Garden. His time, skill, and equipment—donated at no cost to us—made a major impact, restoring light and visibility to areas that had been crowded and overgrown.
About the Paradox Walnut: This remarkable tree is a hybrid of English walnut (Juglans regia) and Northern California black walnut (Juglans hindsii), developed by Luther Burbank for its vigor and rapid growth. Introduced in his 1893 catalog New Creations in Fruits and Flowers, the Paradox Walnut remains one of the most widely used rootstocks in commercial walnut production today.
We want to send our deepest thanks to Fred Frey, owner of Vintage Tree Care, and his incredible crew for their generous in-kind donation of expert tree care at Luther Burbank Home & Gardens.
While Fred and his team carried out the expert arborist work, our dedicated garden volunteers stepped up to ensure the day went smoothly. I’m incredibly proud to lead such a caring and capable group of people. Their care and teamwork truly reflect our mission: “to preserve the home and gardens of Luther Burbank and to share the living legacy of his life, ideals, and contributions to the field of horticulture.”
To Fred, his team, and every volunteer who showed up—thank you for helping bring that mission to life.
New Upgrades to the North East Tupper Garden: Pam, a second year volunteer gardener here at Burbank Gardens jumped right in from her first day in the garden, and has kept this momentum going with her passion project. This is the first completed passion project since we rolled out the program earlier this year!
Chris: I’d love to hear more about your passion project in the Tupper East Garden. How did you select this area, what was your defined goal, what surprised you, frustrated you, and was there any great discovery during your project?
Pam: “The northeast corner of the garden always felt like the neglected child. More pressing needs and demands kept bumping it down the to-do list. Yet, it sits in a special place near the front entrance that could attract people if it got a little TLC.”
That’s what drew Pam MacLean to take it on as a “passion project.” Uneven stones, hidden by a mat of weeds, made the pathways uninviting. But the space has plenty of potential, with four large camelias, and two raised boxes of “cutting flowers.”
“I felt with the weeds cleared away and the paths reimagined with chips, it would attract more visitors to this overlooked gem,” Pam said.
Fellow gardeners Sean and Will helped her cut back the weeds and spread chips. A crew spent a day “blitzing” the beds to clean them up. “It surprised me how quickly hidden plants began to assert themselves. A pair of Bear’s Breeches began to bloom, some dried out Irises sprang up, and the Camelias flowered once they had less competition,” she said. A Ceanothus was planted during a demonstration workshop and a small Magnolia that had outgrown its pot and was added as a backdrop. Much to her surprise, Pam found under weeds and piles of leaves, a Puya plant, much like the one in our southwestern corner that’s now blooming. But this northeast Puya has been held back by too much shade and leaf mulch. “Now that it’s uncovered, I hope to get it blooming again,” she said. “My hope is to plant perennials that may be donated from cuttings or divided bulbs. I’d love to see the space crowded with clusters of flowering plants that provide a changing palette of color as the seasons change, particularly things Burbank cultivated, like gladiolas, Shasta daisies, and maybe even clusters of daffodils for spring.”
Renewed Doghouse for Bonita! Wondering where Bonita’s doghouse disappeared to? It’s back—freshly rebuilt by longtime garden volunteer Jerry! After years of weathering the elements, her cozy corner had fallen apart, but Jerry gave it new life in his workshop. Thank you, Jerry!
Curious about the real story of Luther’s dog Bonita? Come read Elizabeth Waters Burbank’s full account, on display in the museum exhibit inside the gift shop.
I wish I could share everything we have accomplished in the gardens, but the newsletter would be far too long; you’ll just have to come visit and enjoy the beauty yourself! Thank you gardeners and volunteers for all that you do!