Morning in the Garden

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.

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.

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.

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 Halloween spirit at the Clock Tower Shop.

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. 

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.

Inspiration from the Emerald Isle infuses Filoli with a European flair. Curator Kevin Wisney reveals the secrets of the newly restored Ballroom and its monumental murals of Muckross Estate in Killarney. Josh Gevertz, director of the Cypress Lawn Arboretum, explores the Irish yew’s significance as a symbol of death and rebirth.

Explore the hidden symbolism of the English Renaissance-inspired Walled Garden. Kirk Crippens reflects on the connection between art and horticulture, while Haley O’Connor talks hedges, edges, and the magic of knee-high perennials.

Meet the bees of Filoli during this morning orchard walk. Beekeeper Kendal Sager answers Willa’s many questions about queens, explains what “royal jelly” is, and shares her seasonal tasting notes for Filoli’s honey. Back in the Walled Garden, Joey Bennett and Gillian Johnson highlight the buzzing Pollinator Beds.

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 vibrant hues of Filoli’s new Dahlia Garden, and Gillian Johnson talks color-changing hydrangeas.

For this special episode, Willa Brock hosts a panel of Filoli horticultural experts as they answer questions in front of a live audience! Against the lush backdrop of the High Place's green theater, Jim Salyards, Haley O'Connor, and Gillian Johnson share their best rose care tips, compare wildlife encounters, and discuss what Filoli's garden theme song would be and why.

Look ahead to the bounty of summer crops during this exploration of the Vegetable Garden. Jia Nocon and Rachael Byrne share their passion for soil, trellises, and connecting over food. Loa Niumeitolu, a Tongan farmer and poet, describes the joys of working with other Pacific Islanders to grow taro in Filoli’s Garden.

The Sunken Garden overflows with cacti and succulents and sparks a conversation about sustainability. Haley O’Connor rhapsodizes about roses (and the joys of drip irrigation!), and Jim Salyards highlights the drought-tolerant makeover of the balustrade beds.