Morning in the Garden

Bonsai and Beyond

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 family and community.

Garden Hopping: Lotusland

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.

Tulip Fever

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 on the market.

Garden Hopping: Muir Woods

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.

Field Notes

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/

Early Birds

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.

Winter Quiet

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.

Spooky Specimens

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 Halloween spirit at the Clock Tower Shop.

Garden Hopping: The Gardens of Golden Gate Park

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 stroll through the historic landscape of the Japanese Tea Garden. 

Harvest Season

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.