Japanese maple and juniper bonsai at Filoli (photo by Jeff Bartee)

All About Bonsai

January 21, 2021

Did you know that Filoli’s collection includes more than 50 bonsai? They’ll be on display through the end of February in the Garden House and on the Dining Room Terrace.…

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Through the Garden Gate: Filoli’s Bonsai Collection

December 31, 2020

Bonsai has graced the Filoli estate dating back to the Bourn era and continues today as a sizable and stunning collection. Jim Salyards, Director of Horticulture Peter del Tredici, emeritus…

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Missing at Filoli: Black and Latinx Stories

December 27, 2020

Coming early February, in honor of Black History Month, our interpretive staff explores the lack of black and latinx stories within Filoli’s history.

Kee Low, long time chef for the Roth family pictured in the Kitchen

Chinese Exclusion Act: Chef Kee Low

December 27, 2020

Coming late February in honor of Lunar New Year: The Roths’ chef Kee Low had a talent for duplicating dishes from the family’s international travels. Though census records mark Kee’s…

'Isabella Worn (Bella), standing on a garden path in the middle of beds full of lavender in the Garden, with Louis Mariconi (Head Gardener). Bella is wearing a v-neck patterned dress and brimmed hat and holds a sheaf of lavender. Tall poplar trees of the High Place visible in background.'

Early Women Entrepreneurs: Bella Worn

December 27, 2020

Coming in March, in honor of Women’s History Month: Filoli will celebrate the role of women in Horticulture, starting with Bella Worn who was a principal garden advisor and florist…

'Filoli Reception Room north half with butler Teikichi Taga setting a floral vase in the middle of the room. In center of room in middle of seating group of 4 side chairs, one George II Gainsborough chair, and red floral damask sofa. Bouquet on coffee table in center. Side table with glass ash tray. Refectory table behind sofa and small upholstered benches on either side of refectory table. Figurines and large flowering plant on top of refectory table. View into library through doorway in northwest corner and side chair to left of doorway. Large Flemish mille fleur tapestry over fireplace and small hanging tapestry on either side of fireplace. 2 green Neoclassical urns and clock on mantle. Side tables on either side of fireplace. High back sofa in front of northeast doorway. All on large tapestry rug. Lit chandelier at top right corner of photo. Pre-Internment image of Teikichi Taga.'

Japanese Internment During World War II: Toichi Domoto, Teikichi Taga & Mai Arbegast

December 27, 2020

Coming in April Toichi Domoto’s nursery supplied plants for Filoli during the Roth era, including many varieties of camellias. Despite the challenges the Domoto family faced — including economic hardship…

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Learn How Filoli’s Fruit Press Works!

October 2, 2020

See our fruit press in action! As summer winds to a close, our staff harvests the fruit from the Gentleman’s Orchard and the Family Orchard in the Garden. With more…

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Essential Gardening | Revisiting the Spring of COVID-19

September 9, 2020

In this excerpt from Essential Gardening: Public Gardens in the Spring of COVID-19, from the Arnoldia, a publication of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, director of horticulture Jim Salyards, and former plant collections fellow Terry…

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Celebrating a Jazz at Filoli Milestone During COVID-19

September 4, 2020

This year Filoli planned a very special celebration of 30 years of Jazz at Filoli.  Many of you probably planned to attend, but unfortunately, that won’t happen due to COVID-19 restrictions.…

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The Fate of Filoli Fruit

August 21, 2020

By Director of Horticulture Jim Salyards When the fruit trees in the Garden start bearing ripe fruit in summer and fall, visitors often ask, “What does Filoli do with all…