Morning in the Garden

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 and dramatic “rose bending” techniques.

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 thriving village that stood here long before Filoli was built. John Chau, Filoli’s Plant Curator, also joins the conversation to share insights on the restoration of native plants surrounding the center, from the practical dogbane to the showstopping matilija poppies.

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 League
Isabella De Sibert, Stuck in the Mud

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 climbing logs, fairy tea parties, and pretend play.

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.

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.