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.
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Forest Folk
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.
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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.
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35:46
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.
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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.
Wish you could start your day in a garden? Join Willa Brock as she wanders through Filoli’s ever-changing landscape, sharing seasonal highlights and chatting with horticultural staff about their plant passions and expert tips. Special “Garden Hopping” episodes take listeners outside Filoli’s gates to explore other stunning gardens across California and beyond.