Morning in the Garden

The summer fog peeks over the ridge right on cue as a thousand public garden professionals arrive at Filoli for a golden hour party. Guests from across the country share the winding paths that led them into horticulture – like a DIY wedding bouquet that turned into a full-time job – and make the case for why we all should visit the gardens they call home.

From the Garden Archives: We are bringing back this perennial favorite episode, originally published on August 7, 2024. Whether you missed it the first time or want a refresher, enjoy these timeless tips on summer color! Late summer delivers a rainbow burst of blooms. Jia Nocon invites her non-Horticulture coworkers to make their own bouquets from the Cutting Garden. Jackie Salas showcases the vib...

Summer kicks off with a new exhibit about the people, plants, and animals that call Filoli home. Artist Jayson Fann shares how his childhood gathering wood on the riverbanks shapes the sculptural nests he has installed along the trails. Curator Rowan Smith highlights the immigration stories of Filoli’s historic staff through the years.

Stroll through the garden on a misty morning to uncover a piece of Filoli’s history. Writer Eric Hsu shares the story of the Domoto family – pioneering Japanese American nurserymen who revolutionized the West Coast cut flower industry. Discover how their lasting horticultural legacy still blooms across the estate today, from historic tree peonies to rare maples.

A restless wind moves through the oaks as we explore the art of haiku and its kinship with the garden. Aileen Cassinetto, the former Poet Laureate of San Mateo County, notes that both crafts demand the same thing: patience, precision, and a willingness to notice what others walk past. This year’s Haiku Contest winner Cindy Lutz shares how writing one poem a day for 25 years has taught her to find...

A breezy morning brings the moving colors and textures of the Perennial Border to life. Jim Salyards shares the history of the Arts & Crafts garden style and recommends his favorite plants to add vertical drama. A new woven trellis sculpture by artist Jungil Hong rises and falls through the perennials, soon to be covered in intertwining vines.

Meet Rose Wonders, the monumental troll who has taken up residence in Filoli’s forest. Sonia Capitant recounts the arrival of the 30-foot giant, while artist Thomas Dambo explains how his recycled wood sculptures are designed to change our perspective on nature. Katie Kenna reflects on how that same spirit of wonder helps local students connect with the land, one "burrito tree" at a time.

Spring takes center stage as a heat wave puts the garden in the spotlight. Director of Horticulture Brendan Dellerba shares the creative tricks his team uses to stagger the blooms of our 100,000-bulb display – and hints at his even bigger plans for next year. In the Rose Garden, Regina Carter takes inspiration from classic English estates by experimenting with new understory companion plantings an...

Revel in a rainy walk through the garden. Jackie Salas and Haley O’Connor highlight the winter work that goes into creating Filoli’s glorious spring show. From the careful pruning of fruit trees to the precise edging of formal parterre beds, discover how the season’s beauty is thoughtfully shaped long before it blooms.

In this season finale episode, Willa sits down with Gregg Castro, Culture Director of the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone, to discuss Indigenous relationships with the land; perspectives and practices passed down through generations. Together, they explore the newly refurbished mural in the Lamchin Interpretive Center, created by Amy Hosa in partnership with the ARO. The mural depicts Ssupichom, a...

For this special episode; guest host Katie Kenna interviews some of Filoli’s horticulturists to answer your budding questions. Chats with the team reveal their favorite critters at Filoli, some expert growing tips, and what makes this place special to them. 

In the heart of Monterey, a hidden garden brings new life to a historic site. Join Willa at the Cooper Molera Adobe to uncover its story and delight in the surprising scents of geranium, otherworldly blooms of passion vine, and edible flowers that decorate treats at the onsite bakery. Featuring: Karyn Lee-Garcia, Cooper Molera’s Executive Director Donna Gibson, President of the Historic Garden Lea...

Step into a garden where every path leads to a new time and place. At the Huntington in Pasadena, Willa wanders from a cactus-studded hillside and under a wisteria-draped pergola, down rose-scented paths and into a Chinese stargazing pavilion – all before lunch. Along the way, meet the staff who care for these renowned living collections and uncover the deeper meanings we assign to plants.

Follow Filoli’s summer blooms from the sun-drenched rows of the Cutting Garden to showstopping floral arrangements in the historic house. Jia Nocon and Aimee Saunders offer a peek into the process – and reflect on the emotion and meaning flowers can hold.

Six giant creatures have arrived in Filoli's woods! Willa takes an early morning walk through the TROLLS: Save the Humans exhibit with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, as he shares the stories behind his whimsical sculptures and their environmental message. At the new Nature Playspace, Programs & Partnerships Manager Sonia Capitant invites families to discover the magic of the forest through climbi...

May brings the first flush of summer blooms and a celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Michael Greenstein and Idris Anderson from the Kusamura Bonsai Club introduce Willa to the ancient artform of shaping miniature landscapes. Under a trellis of bitter melon in the Vegetable Garden, Yin-Yin Hung reflects on growing Taiwanese vegetables and the memories they root in...

Venture into the fantastical world of Ganna Walska Lotusland in Santa Barbara — a garden where dramatic plants and bold artistic vision intertwine. Join Willa to explore this iconic landscape and meet the staff who care for its rare collections. From tropical bromeliads to the ancient cycad known as the "world’s loneliest plant," discover how Lotusland balances beauty with sustainability.

Take a trip to Holland and uncover the origins of Filoli's spring bulb display! Willa strolls through the vibrant flower fields with Rudy Westerbeek, the third-generation bulb grower who supplies our tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Rudy reveals what makes this region so perfect for tulip growing, the latest trends in the bulb world, and his picks for the most beautiful — and the ugliest! — tulip...

Wake up beneath the redwoods. In this special episode, Willa heads up the coast to Muir Woods to meet Ranger Jace Ritchey and uncover the secrets of this ancient forest. Come for the towering trees, but stay for the wildflowers, redwood sorrel, and banana slugs that make this ecosystem truly magical.

Step onto the trail with California Field Atlas author Obi Kaufmann as he reflects on how this unique landscape has evolved—and how it shapes those who walk it. Among the newly leafing buckeye trees, COO Alex Fernandez shares his vision for the future of Filoli’s trails.   Links Obi's website: https://coyoteandthunder.com/ The California Field Atlas: https://californiafieldatlas.com/

Spring is in the air! Kimberlie Moutoux takes Willa for an early morning bird walk through Filoli’s meadows and woodlands to witness the start of spring migration. Back in the garden, President & CEO Kara Newport reveals the fragrant signs of the season’s arrival, from daphne to hyacinth in bloom.

As autumn’s jewel tones fade, anticipate the restful beauty of winter in the garden. Floral Workshop Instructor Aimee Saunders shares her secrets for sustainable floral design, while Jim Salyards looks forward to rain that will reveal lush mosses and colorful bark. Haley O’Connor gives us a peek into the process of making the garden glow for the Holidays.

Tales of haunted horticulture will send a chill down your spine during this blustery morning walk. Plant Curator John Chau reveals the creepiest plants in the garden, from the vampiric to the carnivorous. Jia Nocon encourages home gardeners to try their hand at planting marigolds, while Retail Director Mandy Torres shares her Día de los Muertos traditions and how her team is getting into the Hallo...

For this special episode, Willa takes the podcast on the road! Start your morning in foggy San Francisco and explore the three gorgeous Gardens of Golden Gate Park with the horticulture experts who care for their collections. Follow the cloud forest from the flashy fuchsias of the San Francisco Botanical Garden to the miniature orchids of the Conservatory of Flowers, with a stop along the way to s...

Celebrate autumn’s abundance as Filoli bursts with ripe fruits and vegetables. Jackie Salas highlights the eclectic mix of trees in the Gentleman’s Orchard and the process of gathering apples for our signature cider. Rachel Byrne gushes over the late tomato harvest while chefs from partner organization La Cocina plan recipes for their Filoli-grown bounty of poblano peppers and flowering cilantro.