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Horticulture


How to Register

Register on-line or download a registration form for these programs (PDF 172k).

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Refund Policy

Click here for our Education Programs Refund Policy.

Adult Education at Filoli: Horticulture ClassesLearn from knowledgeable instructors how to grow like Filoli!

Filoli offers a wide range of horticulture classes that the home gardener and those in the profession can apply to their gardening projects. Whether it’s through a one day class or a series, students gain an in–depth understanding of the class’ subject matter through well thought–out curriculum, one–on–one instruction and class handouts.

Our students say it best…
“This class was great – I hate to see it end. I learned a great deal and feel I could do it again and still profit again.” From A Year in the Garden with Mimi Clarke.

“My first class experience and I will take another class – I come from Morgan Hill” From Fruit Tree Pruning.

“Very practical information and instruction. Thank you!” From Veggie Garden Basics.

2013 Classes

How to Register

Register on-line or download a registration form for these programs (PDF 172k).

Get Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Refund Policy

Click here for our Education Programs Refund Policy.

Beautiful pale apricot rose

Rose Care Series

Saturdays beginning January 19
Instructor: Mimi Clarke

Learn how to care for your roses year round from the former lead horticulturist who helped maintain Filoli’s 600 plus rose plants. While it is recommended that participants attend all courses; registration for an individual course is possible.

Series fee: $95 members; $115 non–members.

Individual class fee: $35 members; $40 non–members. Register below each class.


Pruning and Care: Climbers, Ramblers & Scramblers

Saturday, January 19, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Climber roses, pillar roses, wall roses and ramblers can be lovely and significant additions to the garden landscape. Learn the differences between these types of climbing roses and how to prune and train them to maximum effect.

Pruning and Care: Hybrid Tea Roses

Saturday, January 19, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Hybrid tea roses are commonplace in the average rose garden. Participants will learn proper care and pruning techniques for these beautiful garden standards.

Summer Rose Care

Saturday, June 22, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

The class includes a walk through the rose garden, discussion of proper fertilizing, watering and mulching, as well as a demonstration of summer pruning for optimum rose health and bloom.

 

lemon tree

Citrus Care

Wednesday, June 5, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Instructor: Mimi Clarke

Find out about the cultivation and care of citrus. Discover why pruning, training, fertilization and pest control are so important. Learn how to insure your citrus bears a healthy crop of delicious fruit each year.

Fee: $35 members; $40 non–members.

colorful summer garden

Carrying the Summer Garden into Fall

Saturday, June 8, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Instructor: Mimi Clarke

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. Practical information such as planning summer annual displays, how to prune summer blooming perennials and annuals to achieve lasting blooms, pruning spring flowering shrubs and preparing the garden for the fall is covered.

Fee: $35 members; $40 non–members.

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Summer Pruning

Saturday, June 8, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Instructor: Mimi Clarke

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 rhododendrons, azaleas, lilacs, forsythia, quince and more.

Fee: $35 members; $40 non–members.

A Year in the Garden

 

A Year in the Garden — Part I

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. A Certificate of Completion will be given to those completing all 13 courses. Unless otherwise indicated, courses take place in the Garden; please dress appropriately.

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

Instructor: Mimi Clarke

Fee for the Series:
$450 members; $540 non–members.

Wednesday, February 6 or Saturday, February 9
A Year in the Garden

Botany for Gardeners Part I

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, plant reproduction and plant physiology. This is an ideal class for anyone interested in plants and gardening. This course takes place indoors.

A Year in the Garden

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 clean–up. This course takes place outdoors.


Wednesday, March 6 or Saturday, March 9
A Year in the Garden

Botany for Gardeners Part II

10:30 am – 12:30 pm
This class is a continuation of Botany for Gardeners Part I.

A Year in the Garden

Pruning Demystified

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
In this course you will learn the basic principles and practices of proper pruning techniques. You will become familiar with the terminology and practices of commonly used techniques for pruning a variety of landscape plants. This course takes place outdoors.


Wednesday, April 10 or Saturday, April 13
A Year in the Garden

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 takes place indoors.

A Year in the Garden

Landscape Tree and Shrub 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 takes place outdoors.


Wednesday, May 15 or Saturday, May 18
A Year in the Garden

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. An 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 course takes place indoors and outdoors.

A Year in the Garden

Landscape Perennial and Annual 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 takes place outdoors.


Wednesday, June 12 or Saturday, June 15
A Year in the Garden

Plant Propagation

10:30 am – 12:30 pm
This class covers the principles and practices of reproducing plants. Topics include propagation by seed and vegetative methods including cuttings, layering, and division. This class takes place outdoors.

A Year in the Garden

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 takes place outdoors.


Wednesday, July 17 or Saturday, July 13
A Year 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 class takes place outdoors.

A Year in the Garden

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 class takes place outdoors.


Wednesday, September 11 and Saturday, September 21
A Year in the Garden

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 takes place outdoors.