Morning in the Garden

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.

The sounds of rippling water accompany this hike along a forested creek. Natural Lands Manager Ian Walsh shows off Filoli’s newest trail, and Programs Coordinator Danae Bravo shares her tips for spotting animal tracks and wildflowers.

A walk through the shady Woodland Garden leads to the resting spot of a fallen oak. Longtime Filolians Jim Salyards and Alex Fernandez reflect on the inevitable goodbyes and new sunshine as the years pass and the Garden evolves.

Tree peonies and wisteria delight on this morning stroll, as we explore the human stories behind Filoli's Garden. Plant Curator John Chau delves into the legacy of the famed Domoto Nursery, and Haley O'Connor is back with Andrew Bellouin to talk about the 100-year-old wisteria vine nicknamed "King Kong." 

Start the day by meandering through the Cutting Garden, where we grow blooms for the striking bouquets that decorate the Filoli House. Horticulturists Jackie Salas, Gillian Johnson, and Jia Nocon share tips for long-lasting flower arrangements, and Curator Kevin Wisney welcomes you inside the mansion with stories of Gilded Age greenery. 

Wake up and wander through the tulips on a rainy morning. Jim Salyards takes us behind the scenes of the show-stopping spring display, and Formal Garden Manager Haley O’Connor shares her excitement about the first weeping cherry blossom. Immerse yourself in the garden and the delicious anticipation of ephemeral blooms.

Welcome in the spring with a meditative walk through Filoli's daffodil field. Director of Horticulture Jim Salyards shares the memory of his first spring here (30 years ago!), and Jia Nocon reveals her secrets to winter pruning. Soak in the sounds of seasonal transition as the Garden begins to bloom.