Horticulture

“Great information. Very useful.” By Patrick Curry from Succulent Success with Mimi Clarke.

With a 16-acre formal garden that includes many significant plant collections, a historic Gentlemen's Orchard, a Native Plant Garden and more than 600 acres of surrounding area, Filoli is in an ideal position to share its extensive horticulture experience with students and visitors. Our knowledgeable garden staff, volunteers and outside instructors provide programs that are timely and in-depth.

Our students say it best…
“This class will help one's assurance when gardening.”
“Mimi makes the materials easy to understand and makes class enjoyable.”
From A Year in the Garden Series with Mimi Clarke.

“Excellent class. Very knowledgeable instructor and good teacher.” By N. Stein from Rose Pruning with Mimi Clarke, Winter 2010

“Class was fun! Instructor very knowledgeable and good at demonstration with instruction.” By Kathleen Braunstein from Orchid Care with Mark Pendleton, Spring 2010.

Classes

How to Register

Refund Policy

Click here for our Education Programs Refund Policy.

Growing a Vegetable Garden

2011 class registration begins October 4, 2010.
Instructor: Mimi Clarke

Bring diversity to your garden by growing a variety of vegetables. Learn how to grow vegetables in containers and throughout your garden. Special attention will be paid to planning and designing for a year-round harvest. Topics such as soil preparation, amendments, fertilizers, and a variety of harvesting techniques will also be discussed. Whether you’re an experienced gardener looking for extra tips or a complete novice, celebrate the seasons by planting a vegetable garden!

Rose Care Series

2011 class registration begins October 4, 2010.
Learn how to care for your roses year–round from the former lead horticulturist who helped maintain Filoli’s 600–plus rose plants.

Instructor: Mimi Clarke

Vertical Gardening The Living Mural

Wednesday, September 8, 2010, 11:00 am–12:30 pm Sold out
Wednesday, October 6, 2010, 11:00 am–12:30 pm
Instructor: Robin Stockwell
This course is an elective class in Filoli's Floral Design Program

Vertical gardening with succulent plants is easy and rewarding. In this class you will be given a specially designed redwood frame, succulent potting mix, an assortment of succulent plants, and instruction for making your own living mural. Instruction will be provided covering plant selection, design, maintenance and things you should know about vertical gardening.

Fee: $105 members; $125 non-members. Fee includes all materials.

Autumn Color Maintenance

Saturday, September 25, 2010, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Instructor: Mimi Clarke

A lot happens in the autumn season of the garden. There are several tasks performed during this time of year to prepare the garden for the upcoming winter months and for the future spring season. You will learn good gardening practices such as: garden grooming, selecting and planting bulbs and annuals for spring display, pruning and preparing the soil through mulching, and composting techniques. This class is taught in and out of the garden; dress for the outdoors.

Fee: $35 members; $45 non-members. This class is part of our A Year in the Garden Series.

Bonsai Care and Maintenance

Saturday, September 18, 2010, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Instructor: Jerry Carpenter

Discover principles and techniques to understand and participate in the ancient art of bonsai. After the spring and summer growth push, there is a need to prune and continue styling these well-cared-for trees. Using trees from the Filoli collection, Jerry will demonstrate different techniques for design, styling and wiring. Participants may also bring one of their own trees that will be used during the demonstration.

Fee: $35 members; $45 non-members.

Botanical Latin

Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Instructor: Al Luongo

The common names of plants differ from language to language, place to place, but a plant’s Latin name is the same everywhere. If you have wondered how these names were and are created, or if you have been unsure how to pronounce them, this is the class for you. You’ll learn how plant names evolved into the form they are today. You’ll discover some easy “rules of thumb” for pronunciation. First developed at a time when Latin was the universal language of science, these Latin names are now used by scientists, gardeners, nursery personnel, amateur botanists and plant lovers worldwide.

This class is held in the Roth Room on the second floor of the historic house. Access to this classroom is by stairs only. For questions about accessibility please contact the Education Office by email to classes@filoli.org or by phone at (650) 364-8300, ext. 233. Upon arrival please go to the Visitor and Education Center for directions to the classroom.

This is a Botanical Art Certificate Program elective class. Link to that section. Hours of Credit: 1.5

Fee: $30 members; $40 non-members.

Deer-Resistant Gardens

Saturday, October 9, 2010, 12:30 pm–3:30 pm
Instructor: Bob Tanem

Deer are garden nightmares. This class will cover the range of options to design a garden with plants less likely to attract deer. Attractive as well as low-water plant options will be discussed. Learn which deer repellents work most of the time and which ones are questionable. Bob will also give you a recipe for a repellent that you can make yourself. Additionally, vegetable gardens will be touched upon, as well as proper strategy, to allow you to harvest a home-grown crop.

Fee: $40 members; $50 non-members.

How to Select and Plant a Tree for Stability and Longevity

Thursday, October 14, 2010, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Instructor: Chris Ingram

Proper preparation of roots prior to planting is the key to long-term success. In this class, you will learn the basic biology of roots, how to examine and evaluate nursery stock, what roots to prune and how to do it, what kind of hole to dig, proper planting techniques and how to properly transplant an existing tree. Discover how to best establish a strong tree through early pruning and guidance. Chris also shares a little something about the mystery and magic of trees and what they mean to us.

Fee: $45 members; $55 non-members.

Preserving Apples for Tasty Treats

Monday, October 18, 2010, 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Instructor: Sandra Daily

Filoli’s Gentlemen’s Orchard is overflowing with ripe delicious apples this time of year. Using apples from our harvest, the instructor prepares an apple preserve that can be used in a variety of ways, like the all–American apple pie, apple turnovers, apple topping for ice cream and more. Taste these wonderful preserves in freshlymade turnovers prepared by the instructor. Everyone will take home a jar of preserves and a sack of apples from our orchard along with preserving and baking recipes.

Fee: $45 members; $55 non-members.

Making Topiaries

Saturday, October 23, 2010, 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Instructor: Jane Miller

Topiaries can be made many different ways using a variety of interesting materials. Watch, learn and make three different types: chicken wire with boxwood; chicken wire with moss and miscellaneous plants and wire with moss and creeping fig. Discover the beauty of this unique art form that combines man-made structures with live plants to create a lasting and ever-changing work of living art. Everyone goes home with 3 topiaries of their own making.

Fee: $75 members; $90 non-members. Fee includes topiary materials. You will need to bring a few things; a tools list will be provided upon registration.

The Winter Garden

Saturday, October 23, 2010, 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Instructor: Mimi Clarke

There is a lot to be done this time of year that enables your garden to be at its peak for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. This class familiarizes you with the winter garden. Topics covered are: winter pruning, proper protection of frost-sensitive plants, minimizing pests and diseases, bare-root planting and general cleanup. This is a practical, howto course taught indoors and outdoors. This class is part of Filoli’s “A Year in the Garden Series.”

Fee: $35 members; $40 non-members

Orchid Care

Saturday, November 6, 2010, 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Instructor: Mark Pendleton

Do you wish to make your potted or garden orchids thrive and produce more of those exquisite blooms? If you are interested in learning about the different types of orchids, some of which are adaptable to outdoor growing year-round, some seasonal and some not at all, this is the program for you. Learn about the care and feeding of these garden and greenhouse plants and watch repotting demonstrations as Mark shares his years of experience with these exceptional plants.

Fee: $40 members; $50 non-members.

Photograph by Devon Catell.

A Year in the Garden

2011 class registration begins Monday, October 4, 2010.
This informative series is for the home gardener who wants an in-depth understanding of plants and gardening. Courses will cover a broad range of topics including plant growth and plant uses, garden design and seasonal maintenance. This series is suitable for the novice gardener or those with some prior knowledge or experience. Unless otherwise indicated, courses take place in the garden; please dress appropriately. Some of the classes include hands-on instruction as noted; bring your garden gloves. While it is recommended that participants attend all courses, registration for an individual course is possible.

Fees include all course materials and each course is supplemented with handouts.

Instructor: Mimi Clarke

Botany for Horticulturists

10:30 am – 12:30 pm
A strong foundation in botany is an important aspect in becoming a well-rounded gardener. This course includes discussions on plant anatomy, plant life cycles and reproduction and plant physiology. This is an ideal class for anyone interested in plants and gardening. This class takes place indoors.

The Winter Garden

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
This class familiarizes you with the winter garden. There is a lot to be done this time of year that enables your garden to be at its peak for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Topics covered are: winter pruning, proper protection of frost sensitive plants, minimizing pests and diseases, bare-root planting and general cleanup. This is a practical how-to course taught outdoors.

Soil Management

10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Soil structure is an essential element in creating a successful garden. No garden can thrive if the soil conditions are poor. This course teaches you about soil structure, fertility and water availability in order to give you a better understanding of the whole picture. You will also learn about different ways to improve the soil through amendments and other techniques. This course includes a hands-on lab.

Pruning Demystified

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
In this course you will learn the basic principals and practices of proper pruning techniques. You will become familiar with the terminology and commonly–used techniques for pruning a variety of landscape plants. This is a hands-on class, taught outdoors.

Garden Design

10:30 am – 12:30 pm
This course covers the design process and is intended to help you learn to evaluate plants to combine them successfully in your garden. Emphasis will be placed on how to work with the space you have, becoming familiar with a variety of materials, and selecting the right plant for the right place. This is a lecture-style class that takes place indoors and outdoors.

Woody Landscape Plant ID

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
This course presents a detailed study of the visual characteristics, nomenclature, cultural requirements and design applications of woody landscape plant material. You will learn to recognize the plants in different landscape settings and become familiar with them, based on the various training and pruning techniques applied. This class teaches you to recognize how the treatment of a plant specimen can achieve different results. This course is a “walk and talk” in the garden.

Spring Has Sprung

10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Now that the spring show has started, learn how to care for your flowering displays to make them last longer. Covered in this class are a series of maintenance practices that will enable you to get more out of your displays. Learn how to deadhead, cut back early–blooming perennials to achieve second and third blooms, and prepare for the summer garden. This is a practical how-to class, taught through lecture and demonstration in the garden.

Herbaceous Landscape Plant ID

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
This class presents a detailed study of the visual characteristics, nomenclature, cultural requirements and design applications of herbaceous landscape plant material. You will learn to recognize the plants in different landscape settings and become familiar with them at their various stages of maturity. This class is intended to broaden your plant palette so that you can create a more varied planting plan. This course is a “walk and talk” in the garden.

Plant Propagation

10:30 am – 12:30 pm
This class covers the principals and practices of reproducing plants. Topics include propagation by seed, and vegetative methods, such as: cuttings, layering, and division. This class includes a hands-on lab.

Pruning Spring Bloomers

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Now that the blooms are gone, it’s time to ensure continued growth and new buds. Learn how to prune and care for those early bloomers such as camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas. This course is a “walk and talk” in the garden.

The Joys of Summer

10:30 am – 12:30 pm
As the garden comes into its summer season, you will learn how to maintain that vigorous growth as well as how to prepare for the upcoming seasons. This class covers a broad range of practical information, such as: planning summer annual displays, how to prune summer blooming perennials and annuals to achieve lasting blooms, pruning spring flowering shrubs, fruit thinning for those abundant fruit trees, and preparing the garden for the fall. This is a practical how-to class, taught through lecture and demonstration. Participants will also learn how to pot up summer annuals and go home with a display pot to enjoy.

Pest Management

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Skilled gardeners must familiarize themselves with the various pests and diseases that plague our gardens. It is essential to be able to identify and control them. This class provides you with the knowledge to identify, prevent and control pest and disease outbreaks. Proper plant selection, site preparation and selection, soil conditions and other methods of control, with an emphasis on non-chemical control, are discussed. This is a lecture–style class.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Autumn Color Maintenance

10:30 am – 12:30 pm
A lot happens in the autumn season of the garden. There are several tasks performed during this time of year to prepare the garden for the upcoming winter months and for the future spring season. You will learn good gardening practices, such as: garden grooming, selecting and planting bulbs and annuals for spring display, pruning and preparing the soil through mulching, and composting techniques. This class is taught through lecture and demonstration.

Class attendees are included in the Lunch and Certificate of Completion Presentation that takes place from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Please join us.

Fee for this course: $35 for members; $40 for non-members

Collection Tours

Filoli has created a unique selection of Collection Tours to enhance the visitor experience and to highlight specific plant collections at different times of the year. The following tours are available as indicated:

Collection Tours:

Nature Hikes
Orchard Tours
Camellia Tours