Ben Rosenau, owner of BBR Landscaping Inc. called me recently and wanted to know if I would be interested in seeing his biggest job. It is in Twelve Bridges in Lincoln California.

Ben Rosenau, owner of BBR Landscape

The owners, Marshall and B. J. Serwitz, were going to have an open house and garden for all the contractors who worked on the house and gardens for the past 3 years.

B. J. Serwitz

Marshall Serwitz

One day after church Ben came up to me and asked if I would be his mentor. I asked “What is a mentor?” He was 14 at the time and told me he wanted to learn about plants and landscaping and since I had been doing landscaping for 30 years he thought that I would be the best person he knew of to do the job. I had just purchased 12 acres in Grass Valley to make a demonstration garden for my clients and I needed some help.

I talked to Ben’s parents and they said that Ben needed someone to direct his energy and since he was home schooled he had time to learn a trade. He worked for me until he was 18 and then went to Sierra College and got a degree in horticulture and then a landscape contractor’s license in California.

THE GARDEN

Front Entry Garden:

Swimming Pool Garden:

Vegetable Garden:

Courtyard Gardens:

Indoor/Outdoor Patios:

Mechanics of the Garden:

The drainage swale diverts rain water to the underground drain.

9 transformers create separate zones for the lighting system.

32 Station irrigation controller manages the garden irrigation.

THE HOUSE

The Kitchen:

The Dining Room:

The Pantry:

The Laundry:

Weight Room:

Sewing Room:

Office:

Bedroom:

Bathrooms:

Wine Cellar:

Guest Room:

Art, Stained Glass, and Lights:

This jade plant is one of 5 plants in the entire garden that have to be watered by the housekeeper.