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.