January/February 2013 Issue - Filoli

Call For Entries: Filoli Flower Show, May 9-12, 2013 

See Page 3 January and February 2013 

Opening Celebration Admission: 

FREE for members or with paid admission 

to Filoli for non-members. 

Filoli Café 

Enjoy delicious variety of soups, 

sandwiches, salads and sweet treats! 

Filoli Garden Shop 

Shop for potted plants and garden accents, 

clothing, seasonal table settings and 

housewares, spices and other edibles, 

stationery and unique gifts. 

f i l o l i 

highlights 

Saturday, January 19, 2013. Please see page 3. 

New Volunteer 

Recruitment 

Opening Celebration: Daffodil Daydreams 

Friday, February 22 through Sunday, February 24, 2013 

Daffodils, camellias, magnolias, flowering 

plums and daphne are just of a few of the 

spectacular blooms that lead the way at 

Filoli each spring. Whether planted in a 

flower bed, naturalized in a field or grown 

in a display pot, these flowering beauties 

signify the rebirth of the garden. Join us 

as we celebrate the spectacular flowering 

of Filoli’s Garden through three days of 

talks, tours, demonstrations and handson 

activities. Admission to all activities is 

FREE for members or with paid admission 

to Filoli. Reservations are not necessary. 

Don’t miss this year’s spectacular display! 

Filoli is an American Daffodil Society 

Display Garden and grows a wide variety 

of daffodil cultivars with the purpose of 

educating visitors about these wonderful, 

easy to grow flowers and how they can be 

grown in almost any landscape. 

Program Schedule: 

Friday, February 22 

10:30 am -12:30 pm Crafts for Children of all 

ages 

10:30 am – 11:30 am Talk: Botanical Art: 

Historical to Contemporary by Catherine 

Watters, Filoli Instructor and Florilegium 

Artist. Catherine explores the rich history of 

botanical art from its earliest beginning to the 

20th century including its recent revival and 

the important role it plays today. 

11:45 am – 12:45 pm Demo: Flower 

Arranging with Seasonal Blooms 

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Visitors are invited to 

photograph and paint in the Garden; tripods 

and easels are welcome. Space is limited; 

entrance is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm Demo: Cooking with 

Seasonal Foods by Ursula Gallichotte, 

Chef and Filoli Instructor. Ursula shares 

with you how to use seasonal foods in new 

and creative ways. Watch, taste and get 

professional cooking tips, recipes and ideas 

for entertaining. 

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Walk and Talk: Take 

a walk with Mimi Clarke, Filoli horticulture 

instructor, through the Garden as she 

discusses what is needed to maintain the 

garden this time of year and prepare for the 

upcoming spring and summer seasons. 

Saturday, February 23 

10:30 am – 12:30 pm Crafts for Children of 

all ages 

10:30 am – 11:30 am Talk: What’s in Your 

Daffodil Future? by Bob Spotts, Past President 

of the Northern California Daffodil Society 

(NCDS) and Nancy Tucket, NCDS Member. 

Bob and Nancy share their experience and 

give helpful tips for growing daffodils in the 

Bay Area. 

11:45 am – 12:45 pm Demo: Flower 

Arranging with Seasonal Blooms 

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm Demo: Cooking with 

Seasonal Foods by Ursula Gallichotte, 

Chef and Filoli Instructor. Ursula shares 

with you how to use seasonal foods in new 

and creative ways. Watch, taste and get 

professional cooking tips, recipes and ideas 

for entertaining. 

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Demo: The Timeless 

Beauty of Stained Glass by Kim Reaves, Filoli 

Instructor. Stained glass is a living palette 

of color and light – centuries old yet popular 

today. Learn its history, the different methods 

of creating it and how to make your own – a 

fun and exciting adventure! 

— Sunday Programs continued on page 3. 

Displays in the Visitor 

and Education Center: 

• Cut and potted flower display from the 

greenhouse and Garden. 

• Northern California Daffodil Society. 

• The Gentlemen’s Orchard at Filoli.

Friends of Filoli 

President’s Message 

Welcome to 2013 with 

new beginnings at Filoli. 

As the incoming President 

of Friends of Filoli I’m 

excited to work with our 

new Executive Director 

and the Friends of Filoli 

Board to continue meeting 

our mission of supporting 

Filoli. 

The Friends of Filoli 

closed 2012 in style with 

our winter celebration, Holiday Traditions. “Let There Be 

Magic!” provided over 10,000 guests the opportunity to 

receive our hospitality and marvel at the creativity of our 

volunteers in a spectacular setting. Thank you to all the 

volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the year to 

prepare for this event. Special thanks to Judy Gaffney 

and Margaret Ong, co-chairs of Holiday Traditions. They 

brought the magic and kept us all in great spirits! 

The leadership of Friends of Filoli changes now. Our 

sincere thanks to Pamela Smith, out-going President of 

Friends, for leading the organization for the past two years. 

Pam’s ability to stay positive while managing change and 

provide the strong leadership necessary to meet our 

mission at Filoli is to be admired and appreciated by our 

membership. Luckily Pam will remain on the Executive 

Committee as Past President to keep us moving forward. 

The Executive Committee welcomes some new officers. 

Ann Ritter, VP of Events, Mark Gathmann, VP of Support 

Operations, and myself as President of Friends of Filoli. 

We will join the returning team of Julia Dillingham, 

VP of Volunteers Resources and Pamela Smith, Past 

President and Chair of the Nominating Committee. All are 

experienced leaders who look forward to working with the 

Friends of Filoli Board. 

The new Friends of Filoli Board meets early in January 

for orientation. A Volunteer Recruitment Open House, 

scheduled for Saturday, January 19, is our first public 

event. If you are currently not a volunteer please come to 

learn about volunteer opportunities at Filoli. You may find 

a spot to share your talents at Filoli, an added benefit of 

your membership in Friends of Filoli. 

Daffodil Daydreams is our Opening Celebration from 

February 22-24, after Filoli officially re-opens on Tuesday, 

February 5. I hope to see you in the House and strolling 

the Garden as it awakens from its winter rest. 

— Carol Croce, President, Friends of Filoli 

January and February 2013, Filoli Highlights 

2 

Save the Date: April 6 

Spring Fling at Filoli 

Please join us for Spring 

Fling at Filoli. The date to 

remember is Saturday, April, 

6, 2013. Mark your calendar 

so you don’t forget. 

Our young visitors will have 

a variety of fun activities 

from which to choose: 

face painting, creativity 

in the potting shed, plus 

arts and crafts. Costumed 

characters, a puppeteer, the Bubblesmith and others 

will bring a smile to your face! 

The whole family can enjoy eating a pre-purchased 

boxed lunch while listening to music on the Tennis Court. 

Animal venues will be located around the property. 

The wonderful Garden Shop will be open for your 

shopping pleasure. By popular demand, food and other 

vendors will be set up in the Courtyard to tempt you with 

their fabulous offerings. 

The Spring Fling is a perfect time to enjoy the beauty 

of Filoli and welcome spring by taking a stroll in the 

Garden, viewing flowers in bloom and seeing trees at 

their best. 

Afternoon Tea at Filoli 

2013 Afternoon Tea at Filoli dates: 

February 27 

March 27 

April 10 and 24 

May 22 

June 26 

July 24 

August 28 

September 25 

October 23 

February 27 is our first Afternoon Tea of the 2013 season. 

Please plan to join us as this very special event continues 

at 1:00 pm on the fourth Wednesday, February through 

October and April 10. Reservations are $45 for members 

and $55 for non-members ($55 and $65 in October when 

champagne is served) and may be made beginning at 9:00 

am on Friday, January 11, 2013 by leaving a message at 

(650) 364-8300, ext. 288. Mark your calendar as Afternoon 

Teas are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. A card 

confirming your reservation will be sent to you soon after 

your reservation has been accepted.

Daffodil Daydreams 

—Continued from page 1 

Sunday, February 24 

12:00 pm – 3:30 pm Crafts for Children of all ages 

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Visitors are invited to photograph and paint in the 

Garden; tripods and easels are welcome. Space is limited; entrance is 

on a first-come, first-served basis. 

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Demo: Flower Arranging with Seasonal Blooms 

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Garden Walk with Melissa Reading, President of 

the Northern California Daffodil Society – VEC 

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Demo: Flower Origami for Children by Keiko 

Fujita, Filoli Instructor Keiko will demonstrate this traditional Japanese 

art of paper folding to create fun and colorful designs using a small 

number of basic folds in a variety of ways. 

Please Join Us for Filoli 

New Volunteer Recruitment 

9:30 am - 11:30 am 

Saturday, January 19, 2013 

at the Filoli Visitor and Education Center 

Volunteers are proud to support the mission of Filoli 

by supporting the organization’s fundraising events, 

operations and programs. 

Whether your interests lie in working with the public in 

the Café or as a House and Garden docent, in nature 

education or assisting the horticultural staff with 

maintaining the Garden and Orchard, Filoli’s diverse 

volunteer organization has an area suited just for you. 

A reservation is required to attend. Please RSVP by 

email to volunteer@filoli.org by Friday, January 11, 

2013. 

Filoli Flower Show: Call for Entries 

Mother’s Day Weekend, May 9-12, 2013 

“Petal Tales, Once upon a time . . .” 

Filoli is once again looking forward to Spring 

and preparing for the annual Filoli Flower Show. 

Throughout Filoli’s House and Garden visitors will be welcomed 

with a reminder of new beginnings and spring flowers, live music, 

horticultural and educational exhibits, fresh floral displays and 

table settings. Talented professional and amateur floral designers 

will create and exhibit their floral interpretation of this year’s theme. 

This four-day event will begin with an Opening Night Reception on 

Thursday evening, and continue through Mother’s Day. 

This year’s theme “Petal Tales, Once upon a time…” will remind 

us of favorite childhood stories interpreted with flowers. Imagine 

interpreting “Jack and the Beanstalk” or “Where the Wild Things 

Are.” If you’re interested in participating in this imaginative and 

creative show, let us know by returning the interest form below. 

We encourage new and returning entries. Anyone can participate; 

flower designers and arrangers, professional and amateur. You 

may choose to share a plant collection, an elegant table setting, a 

garden vignette, a fairy garden, or a delicate miniature depicting 

this year’s theme. There will also be a children’s exhibit. 

All exhibitors are invited and encouraged to attend the Information 

and Site Selection Meeting on Monday, February 4, 2013, from 

10:00 am – 11:30 am, in the Ballroom of the House. If you are 

unable to attend the meeting, please check the appropriate box 

on the form below and send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. 

For questions, please contact Virginia Horta at (408) 966-7512 

or by email to: gardenofpetals@gmail.com, referencing the Filoli 

Flower Show. 

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to your participation. 

Virginia Horta, Chair 

Ann Mori, Co-Chair 

FILOLI 2013 FLOWER SHOW INTEREST FORM 

Please complete and mail form to : 

Filoli, 2013 Flower Show, Attention: Virginia Horta, 

86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA 94062 

You may also email the form to: gardenofpetals@gmail.com 

NAME ________________________________________________ 

ADDRESS_____________________________________________ 

CITY/STATE/ZIP________________________________________ 

PHONE _______________________________________________ 

EMAIL ________________________________________________ 

____ I will attend the February 4, 2013 meeting in the Ballroom. 

I would like to exhibit: (please check appropriate line below) 

____ a professional design 

____ an amateur design 

____ a plant collection 

____ a garden vignette 

____ a table setting 

____ a garden miniature 

____ a children’s exhibit 

____ a fairy garden 

Please forward the Show information to me by: 

____ email 

____ mail in the ENCLOSED stamped, self-addressed envelope. 

3 January and February 2013, Filoli Highlights

Filoli and the United Nations, Part II 

By Lynn Norris, 

Director of Education, Cummer Museum of 

Art and Gardens 

With the successful signing of the 

United Nations Organization (UNO) 

Charter in San Francisco on June 

26, 1945, the city began to prepare a bid 

to become the permanent home for the 

organization. Although in his oral history 

Mayor Roger Lapham recalled that his 

friend Secretary of State Edward Stettinius 

had suggested the idea upon leaving San 

Francisco after the signing, in truth planning 

had begun almost as soon as the city was 

notified of the charter conference. On March 

11, 1945, more than a month before the 

conference, the Chamber of Commerce 

under its president, Walter Haas, met to form 

the plan for San Francisco to become the 

permanent home for the UNO. 

The work of the UNO was well underway 

even before the charter was signed. 

Unofficially it had already been in operation 

as the joint committees that dealt with 

“non-political issues” such as refugees 

and disarmament that operated under the 

League of Nations, continued their work by 

changing the nameplates to read the UNO. 

The problems were staggering. Millions were 

displaced without papers, borders were 

fluid, industrial economies were in ruins, the 

Soviets were overrunning great swathes 

of Europe, and China was heading into 

civil war. There was starvation, epidemics, 

black markets, liberated concentration 

and prisoner of war camp survivors and 

de-Nazification. Berlin was so destroyed, 

its military governors spoke openly of 

abandoning the city altogether and what little 

remained the Soviets were looting. Prague, 

Dresden, Warsaw, Stalingrad, Leningrad and 

Chungking were no better. The war had laid 

waste to most of the world. 

With Japan’s surrender, the war was finally 

over and for an organization now charged 

with bringing some measure of order to 

a world after Hiroshima, the need for a 

permanent home wasn’t high on the priority 

list. The UNO was a traveling circus. 

Yet, many cities vied to become the permanent 

world’s capital. While the first meeting of 

the General Assembly was not scheduled 

until January 1946 in London, jockeying for 

what continent would win the permanent 

site was underway before the ink was dry on 

the charter. The British and Soviets wanted 

the headquarters to remain in Europe, but 

there was strong international sentiment for 

it being in the United States especially from 

China, Australia and other Pacific nations. In 

September 1945 the Soviets switched sides 

temporarily and eight United 

States locales were invited to 

present proposals to the UNO’s 

permanent site sub-committee 

in London in December, 1945. 

Site approval was set for the 

January General Assembly 

meeting. 


San Francisco was among them 

and Mayor Lapham and Walter 

Haas went to London to present 

their case. They felt confident 

of San Francisco’s chances 

as they sat awaiting their turn 

to present. New York offered 

multiple sites, but not with 

great enthusiasm. The architect 

chosen for the project was the 

first international “starchitect”, 

Le Corbusier, the standard-bearer for the 

Bauhaus and Modernism (with a capital 

“M”), who had definite opinions about the 

city of New York in particular. Speaking in 

his accustomed “royal we,” he said, “New 

York is a terrifying city. For us, it is menacing. 

We are not wrong in keeping it at a distance.” 

Rhode Island offered Yankee charm and the 

Black Hills of South Dakota proudly touted 

the best beef in the world. To a hungry 

Europe, that wasn’t an offer to lightly dismiss. 

Governor Tobin extolled Boston and Sen. 

Claude Pepper waved Florida’s flag. 

The site committee’s eyes had long glazed 

over when Mayor Lapham rose for the final 

presentation. Like any good salesman, he 

could read his audience and got straight to the 

point, making his case that the organization 

that had been born in San Francisco, should 

stay there. “Meaning no disrespect to other 

parts of the United States, I can say it is 

easier to work, live and play 3,000 miles 

away from the Eastern seaboard.” Yet he did 

admit to patches of “high fog” in the summer, 

but dismissed this as simply a great method 

for staying cool in hot weather. 

Lapham then proceeded through a score of 

potential Bay Area sites, including four on the 

Peninsula. “They were a site in Hillsborough, 

presumably Carolands, the Mills Estate from 

El Camino to Skyline, [a] tract on Portola 

Road and the Palo Alto Spring Valley 

property.” Filoli was not among them at this 

stage. 

But all was for naught, as on his way back 

to the airport Mayor Lapham learned of a 

backroom deal by the British and Soviets 

that no site west of the Mississippi would be 

considered. He charged “dirty politics!” No 

one contradicted him. He immediately set 

about working on an appeal. 

4 

The site committee arriving in San Francisco. Dr. Zuleta 

Angel is second from the left. San Francisco History Center 

On Feb. 11, 1946, the site subcommittee 

recommended a 42-mile site spanning 

Westchester County and Stamford/ 

Greenwich, Connecticut. Le Corbusier 

declared the site “as if prepared by [the] 

hands of man” for the United Nations. 

Where middle-class Stamford, Conn., saw 

opportunity, Greenwich and Westchester 

County saw socialism. They developed 

a severe case of N.I.M.B.Y., a generation 

before the term was even coined. The site 

encompassed some of the oldest estates of 

America’s ruling families including publisher 

Henry Luce, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Prescott 

Bush and Averill Harriman, all of whom were 

passionate internationalists and proponents 

of the United Nations’ headquarters being in 

the United States--just not in their backyards. 

They weren’t at all used to having “imminent 

domain” applied to them and feared another 

Soviet-style land grab. Opponents fashioned 

a “No to UNOville!” campaign that included a 

referendum and some clever dirty tricks. 

Prescott Bush first leaked news of the visit 

to the local press even before it had been 

announced. Greenwich Times reporter, 

Bernie Udain picked up the phone to hear, 

“Boy, have I got a scoop for you.” When 

asked if he could go to print, Bush replied, 

“Of course, that’s why I’m calling you!” 

Public relations executive and Greenwich 

resident Amedee Cole recalled hiring two 

men to impersonate Syrians, who donned 

fez and walked through Greenwich carrying 

surveyors’ tools “chattering away in pig Latin 

and spooking the shopkeepers.” 

Udain remembered, “The anti-U.N. folks 

raised a ton of money and they began 

spreading rumors that camels would walk 

the streets.” Proponents looked to the State 

Department for help, but found none. The 

Rockefeller, Harriman and Luce names were 

too powerful.

Mr. and Mrs. Roth learned of Filoli as a UN site 

from the newspapers. San Mateo Times and 

Daily News 

While the site committee continued to visit 

different locales, Mayor Lapham was busy 

with his San Francisco counter-offensive. It 

paid off in the fall of 1946 when a worn-out 

site committee finally acknowledged that the 

Westchester County site wasn’t going to 

happen and asked that proposals once again 

be submitted. San Francisco was ready. 

On November 12, 1946, the San Mateo 

Times went to press with the headline “Filoli 

Estate Site May Be Home of UN.” The 

next day Mayor Lapham presented three 

proposed sites in the area for consideration: 

two in San Mateo County, including the city 

land at the south end of Crystal Springs 

Lake, a site on Skyline drive and another 

site near St. Mary’s College in the East Bay. 

The Crystal Springs site was a three-squaremile 

site that the mayor promised could be 

expanded to include Filoli. This would be a 

gift to the United Nations. 

That Filoli was included in the gift was news 

to the Roths, who learned about it when 

Mr. Roth read it in the evening paper. When 

contacted by the press, “He indicated that 

the property would be available to the United 

Nations should the site be chosen, but said it 

would be given reluctantly.” 

Just how reluctantly Mrs. Roth recalled 

in her oral history, “Well, naturally we were 

against it. You didn’t want to be put out of 

your home! Roger [Lapham] said he’d help 

us all he could, if we’d let him have the 

luncheon here.” When she was asked was 

there community opposition to Filoli being 

the site, she said, “No, the hue and cry was 

from Lurline and Bill! I really cried! I couldn’t 

stand the thought.” 

The reconstituted site committee, made up 

of representatives from fourteen countries 

including the Soviet Union, Great Britain, the 

Netherlands, Australia, China and Yugoslavia 

was now under the leadership of Dr. Eduardo 

Zuleta Angel, former ambassador to the United 

States from Colombia. They made an initial 

stop to view a Philadelphia site accompanied 

by architects, engineers and geologists. 

Rare photo of the delegation visiting the Crystal Springs site of the Pulgas Water 

Temple. San Francisco History Center 

John D. Rockefeller III (right) handing over the check for the 

New York site to UN Secretary General Trygve Lie. 

United Nations 

The delegation flew on to San Francisco on 

November 21. After a sixteen-hour flight, the 

plane deliberately circled the proposed sites, 

which were beautiful in the bright sunlight. By 

then, the East Bay site had been eliminated 

for reasons that weren’t announced. The 

delegates got off the plane and were whisked 

to the St. Francis Hotel to be welcomed by 

local dignitaries and given a detailed briefing 

that included the addition of a new site, the 

Presidio, within the city itself. Maps, charts 

and photographs were at the ready. By the 

end of the meeting, two Bay Area sites had 

been selected-- the Crystal Springs site and 

the Presidio. 

The site committee immediately set out for 

the Presidio for a visit. They were favorably 

impressed, but the uncertain availability of 

the military site and the certainty that there 

would be local opposition among San 

Francisco residents, had them favorably 

disposed toward San Mateo County. Such 

was the discussion at the end of the first day 

at a cocktail party for the delegation at the 

Pacific Union Club. 

The next morning a cavalcade of twenty cars 

left the St. Francis and headed south for 

its first stop, the Pulgas Water Temple. The 

weather had proved predictably changeable 

and was now threatening rain, which began 

once they reached the temple. When they reentered 

their cars, a faint sun broke through. 

San Francisco Mayor Roger 

Lapham worked tirelessly to 

bring the UN to the Bay Area. 

Every time they stopped to get out, it poured. 

It was a soggy party that arrived at Filoli 

where Mrs. Roth, as usual, had prepared for 

a gracious occasion. Mrs. Roth recalled, “I 

wasn’t even invited to the luncheon. I was 

supposed to be out of sight.” 

The San Mateo Times recorded it in detail. 

“Arriving at the sumptuous Filoli estate in a 

20-car entourage after a drive through the 

rain, the delegates were the guests of Mr. and 

Mrs. William P. Roth at a buffet luncheon.” 

“Cocktails were served in the large reception 

room, followed by lunch in the mansion’s 

ballroom. The luxurious Filoli mansion 

furnished an admirable background for 

the conference. All of the warm hospitality 

of the famed estate was extended to the 

delegates. The exquisitely decorated buffet 

groaned under the weight of turkeys, hams, 

fish, various sauces and tropical foods…. 

Autumnal centerpieces in silver urns struck a 

bright note of yellow leaves, red berries, and 

deep pink azaleas, at each of the tables.” 

“During the brief period of relaxation, following 

luncheon, [State Attorney General Robert] 

Kenny matched wits with [Soviet delegate 

Ivan] Bassov in a chess game. Cheered on 

by a group of onlooking delegates, each 

maneuvered the other’s gold and silver 

chessmen into difficult positions until Bassov 

gained the final checkmate.” 

Continued on next page— 


Lectures 

Gertrude Jekyll and the 

Country House Garden 

Friday, March 22, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm 

Speaker: Judith Tankard 

One of the most important garden designers 

of the twentieth century, Gertrude Jekyll 

(1843-1932) was a prolific writer and hugely 

influential horticulturist. Landscape historian 

and author, Judith B. Tankard, will explore 

Jekyll’s gardens and her legendary theories 

on color, planting and design with a wonderful 

selection of some of her famous garden 

commissions. She explores Jekyll’s most 

important collaborations with Sir Edwin Lutyens, which spanned over 

40 years and resulted in such seminal masterpieces of the Arts and 

Crafts movement as Hestercombe, Folly Farm and Deanery Gardens. 

Mrs. Tankard offers an opportunity to visit these great country house 

gardens and more through a selection of superb photographs from the 

Country Life archives. Her book of this title will be available for sale and 

signing during the reception that immediately follows the presentation. 

Fee: $25 members; $30 non-members 

Tony Duquette: Legendary Designer 

Friday, April 19, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm 

Speaker: Hutton Wilkinson 

Mrs. Roth was famous for her hospitality and her collaboration with 

design icon Tony Duquette made her parties unforgettable. Join Hutton 

Wilkinson, president of Tony Duquette, Inc., for a look at the life and 

work of this legendary designer, whose client list outside of Hollywood 

included style mavens such as Lady Elsie de Wolfe Mendl, the 

Duchess of Windsor and Dodie Rosenkrans. He designed costumes, 

jewelry, interiors and furniture and was the first American artist to be 

given a one-man show at the Louvre. Duquette and his wife Beegle 

(Elizabeth) were party-givers extraordinaire at their Dawnridge Estate 

in Los Angeles as well. Hutton Wilkinson will share all of this with us. 

There will be a book sale, signing and reception immediately following 

the presentation. 


Art Exhibitions 

Botanical Art Exhibit 

April 16 through June 16, 2013 

This year we celebrate our 15th Annual 

Botanical Art Exhibit. This beautiful exhibit 

has long been an essential part of the Filoli 

Botanical Art Program’s mission to interpret 

and preserve this historically significant 

art form. Filoli has been a leader in the 

renewal of this art form, which combines 

the observational skills of the scientist 

and the sensibility of the artist. Part of our 

commitment is to sponsor an annual nationwide 

juried exhibition to showcase the best of 

botanical art. 

Hippeastrum, Amaryllis 

by Regina Gardner Miller. 

Artist Reception 

Thursday, April 18, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 

Filoli will host an artist reception for this outstanding exhibition. Artists 

are on hand to share their botanical art knowledge and experiences. 

In addition, a collection of prints, matted originals and note cards will 

be for sale. A visit to the Garden after hours will complete this special 

evening. While admission is FREE, reservations are required. 

Reservation deadline is Friday, April 12. 

CALL FOR ENTRIES 

Botanical artists are invited to enter original artwork not previously 

exhibited in a Filoli botanical art exhibition in any two-dimensional 

medium that reflects the rich tradition of botanical art and adheres 

to high standards of botanical accuracy. All work will be juried using 

digital images. Deadline for entry is February 11, 2013. Download 

a Prospectus and Entry Form from our web site at www.filoli.org or 

request one by phone to the Education Office at 650-364-8300 x233. 


6 

Filoli and the United Nations, Part II 

—continued from page 5 

Mrs. Roth recalled the visit this way. “So we had the luncheon, and 

fortunately it was the worst day you ever imagined. It rained so hard 

that everything was just flooded, and all the writers, media, from the 

east, from Philadelphia, Washington, and New York, thought this was 

the worst place they had ever seen, thought it was just dreadful, 

which was very lucky.” 

“And they had—it just made me sick—they had all the blown-up 

pictures of what it would look like when finished, tacked along the 

walls of the ballroom. Which was the most pathetic sight!” 

Filoli’s bubble had indeed burst as delegates quietly expressed 

dismay about the site’s isolation. The talk at the delegates’ dinner 

that evening at a San Francisco golf club was again of the Presidio. 

Dr. Zuleta Angel confirmed this at a news conference. The next day 

the delegates spent the morning inspecting the Presidio once more 

and then were off to the Stanford/Cal game. The “Big Game” at 

Berkeley headlines dwarfed the news of the delegation’s departure 

for Boston on Sunday. It was Stanford 25, Berkeley 6. 

The New York Times article read “Site Group Cools on San Francisco” 

because of the lengthy cross-country journey and the continued 

opposition of the Soviets and Great Britain to any site off the East 

Coast. Mayor Lapham was still confident that San Francisco would 

be the eventual home for the UNO and work began on securing the 

Presidio site. 

The site committee returned to New York from their last stop in 

Boston and began immediately touring sites in New York with the 

papers there covering it like a horse race. When the odds-on-favorite 

Flushing Meadow failed to show, dark horses appeared in upstate 

New York. A new Westchester site was on the table and Averill 

Harriman offered his father’s old estate, Arden, in Sterling Forest that 

had been used as a convalescent home during the war. 

But the Rockefellers had something else entirely in mind, which was 

announced on December 13, 1946. At the behest of his son Nelson, 

who had been part of the U.S. delegation to the San Francisco 

conference, John D. Rockefeller Jr., offered a check for $8,500,000 

as a gift to the UNO to buy land along the East River in a warehouse 

and tenement district. The UNO readily accepted. 

For Le Corbusier, “we” obviously overcame “our” fear and the United 

Nations complex opened for business in 1949 in a sleek, modern 

high-rise where it has been home to the world’s squabbles ever 

since. Each October, Manhattan traffic gridlocks and helicopters 

whirl overhead as motorcades bearing diplomats from 193 member 

nations descend for the opening session. 

For Filoli, Mrs. Roth summed it up quite nicely. “It’s all turned out for 

the best.” 

Sources: 

Lapham, Roger D., An Interview on Shipping, Labor, San Francisco City 

Government and American Foreign Aid. Berkeley: University of California, 

1957. 

New York Times (New York, NY.) 1945-1946. 

Powell, Michael. “How the U.N. Came to Be in Manhattan,” Washington 

Post, October 26, 2003. 

Roth, Lurline. Matson and Roth Family History: a Love of Ships, Horses, 

and Gardens. Berkeley: Regents of the University of California, 1982. 

San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, CA.) 1945-1946. 

San Mateo Times and Daily News Leader (San Mateo, CA.) 1945-1946. 

The author gratefully acknowledges Kristen Sammons for her help with 

research.

Botanical Art 

f iloli education programs 

Introduction to Botanical Art 

Dates: 

Friday, March 1 

and Saturday, 

March 2 

Time: 

9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Instructor: 

Catherine Watters 

Have you admired 

botanical art 

but questioned 

whether you could 

do it? If so, this is 

just the class for 

you. This two day 

hands-on workshop 

Drawing Plants in Perspective I Botany through Drawing 

Dates and Times: 


Fridays, January 25 and February 1, 

Tuesday, February 26, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm 

9:00 am – 3:30 pm 

Tuesdays, March 5, 12 and 19, 

Friday, February 15, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm 9:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Instructor: Catherine M. Watters 

Instructor: 

This foundation course teaches students Lee McCaffree 

to accurately draw plants by observing Studying botany 

basic botanical shapes and structures and increases your 

illustrating them in great detail with botanical understanding 

accuracy. Each of the five sessions focuses and ability to 

on one shape to emphasize and develop be a successful 

Strawberry by 

Catherine M. Watters. 

observation and foreshortening skills. 

Students learn to interpret hidden edges 

to achieve a believable drawing and work 

on shading skills through value contrast to 

create three-dimensional shapes. Students 

enrolled in the Certificate Program are given 

homework assignments in each session. 


Prerequisite: none 

botanical artist. By 

understanding the 

structure of stems, 

leaves, flowers and 

Primula by 

roots, an artist can 

Lee McCaffree. 

be more creative in 

arranging an accurate plant portrait. Each class 

will explore a different aspect of plant structure 

and growth as well as plant families and 

nomenclature. Students exhibit what they have 

Early Spring Flowers 

Watercolor Pencil Workshop 

Date: Thursday, February 14 

Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Instructor: 

learned through a series of drawings. Students 

enrolled in the Certificate Program are given 

homework assignments in each class. 



Nina Antze 

Watercolor pencils 

are a wonderful 

tool for outdoor and 

travel journaling. 

They also provide 

a nice base for 

doing colored 

pencil drawings. 

Using watercolor 

pencils and regular Camellia by Nina Antze. 

colored pencils we 

will focus on the first flowers of spring. Learn 

to create delicate washes and then build up 

color to create intensity and luminosity. Match 

Master Class: Watercolor on Vellum 

Dates: Wednesday, March 20 through 

Saturday, March 23 

Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Instructor: Carol Woodin 

This intensive master 

class will provide all the 

tools needed to produce 

beautiful paintings on 

vellum. After a brief 

discussion about 

vellum and its unique 

qualities, we will head 

Peony by 

out into the Garden 

Carol Woodin. 

to choose a peony as 

the lightest petal and give your leaves a lovely your subject. To enhance the liveliness of 

glow. 

our depictions of these dramatic flowers, you 

Fee: $80 members; $95 non-members will sketch them in graphite and watercolors 


in the garden, then your subjects will be 

cut to bring into the classroom. Through 

discussion, demonstration, and practice 

A complete program schedule, 

you will learn about transferring, cleaning, 

and refining drawings, and building intense, 

descriptions, hours of credit, 

prerequisites, materials lists 

and instructor biographies are 

available on our web site at 

www.filoli.org. 

fresh color through transparent dry brush 

layering. You will learn a variety of techniques 

specific to vellum that can increase options 

in approaching botanical subjects. A 

demonstration of stretching vellum over a 

panel will be given. Each student will have a 

painting substantially advanced or completed 

by the end of the class. 


Fee includes vellum. 

Prerequisite: Intermediate watercolor skills 

introduces traditional botanical art skills 

such as plant observation, drawing, color 

mixing and watercolor painting using leaves, 

flowers and fruit as models. No previous art 

experience is needed. 


Fee includes all materials. 

BOTANICAL ART 

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM 

Filoli has been a 

leader in the renewal 

of this exquisite art 

form, which combines 

the observational skills 

of the scientist and the 

sensibility of the artist. 

Our Botanical Art 

Certificate Program 

is an essential part 

of Filoli’s mission 

to preserve this 

historically significant art form by offering a 

unique in-depth study of botanical art through 

challenging, integrated and comprehensive 

courses. The curriculum includes the 

systematic study of artistic skills and concepts, 

basic botany and botanical art history. A 

certificate will be presented upon successful 

completion of course work (180 classroom 

hours plus homework) and presentation of a 

portfolio and final project. 

Enrollment in the certificate program is not 

necessary to participate in these classes 

however, prerequisites must be completed. 

To enroll in the Certificate Program, please 

complete the enrollment form available on our 

web site. 

January and February 2012, Filoli Highlights • Education Section • Ed:1

Art and Decorative Art 

Watercolor for Beginners 

Dates: Thursday, 

February 7 through 


Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Instructor: 

Guy Magallanes 

Explore the many 

ways to use watercolor 

in this class, created 

specifically for the 

beginner and those 

with a little experience. 

Through step-by-step 

instruction, discover the fundamentals of working 

with watercolor, including making a watercolor 

wash, applying glazes and textures, mixing 

colors and more. This class lays the foundation 

for continued learning and participation in other 

watercolor workshops at Filoli. 

Fee: $300 members; $360 non-members. Fee 

includes all materials. 

More classes with Guy – 

Glazing and Color Mixing, March 14 through 16 

Masking and Glazing Techniques, June 6 

through 8 

Class Descriptions and registration will be 

available on our web site. 

Oil Painting for Beginners I 

Dates: Friday, February 22 

and Saturday, February 23 

Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Instructor: Laurie Johnson 

Discover the many ways to use oil paint in this 

class, created specifically for the beginner and 

those with a little experience. Through stepby-step 

instruction, learn the fundamentals of 

working with oil paint while creating a painting of 

your very own. This class lays the foundation for 

continued learning and participation in other oil 

painting workshops. 



More classes with Laurie — 

Oil Painting for Beginners II, April 25 and 26 

Class Description and registration will ba 


Calligraphy Workshop 

Dates: 

Thursdays, February 28 

through March 21 

Time: 

9:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Instructor: 

Sara Loesch Frank 

Calligraphy is Greek 

for “beauty writing.” 

It is the art of writing 

in an expressive, 

harmonious and skillful 

manner. Develop the 

skill of lettering through 

careful instruction and 

practice using a broadedged 

pen. Add flair to 

your correspondence, 

Blushed by 

Guy Magallenes. 

Sweet Peas by Sara 

Loesch Frank. 

journals, invitations and announcements, 

artwork, and more. Former students are 

welcome to attend to further their studies 

through independent instruction. This is a 

Botanical Art Certificate program “elective” 

course. Prerequisite: none. 


January and February 2013, Filoli Highlights • Education Section 

Drawing Basics I 

Dates: Fridays, March 1 through 22 

Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm 

Instructor: Clelia Lion 

Build your observational skills and discover how 

to realistically reproduce shapes, forms, values 

and textures in pencil. Easy exercises in drawing 

and shading build your confidence and ability in 

preparation for your final projects: accurate and 

detailed renderings of plants or animals. More 

advanced students may also complete lessons 

with pen and ink or colored pencil. Bring your 

#2 graphite pencil and a good, non-staining 

eraser. All other materials are provided. Former 

students are welcome to attend to further their 

studies through independent instruction. 


More classes with Clelia — 

Drawing Basics II, Fridays April 12 through May 3 

Class Description and registration will be 


Photography Workshops 

Instructor: Susan Rosner 

Learn how to create better images! With its 

brilliant colors and 

breathtaking scenery, 

the Garden at Filoli 

provides wonderful 

opportunities to create a 

variety of extraordinary 

images. These 

workshops include 

classroom instruction 

on equipment use and 

technique, field shoots 

with plenty of individual 

attention and friendly 

critiques. 

All photographs by 

Susan Rosner. 

iPhone 

Photography 

Dates: Wednesday, January 23, Saturday, 

February 9 or Saturday, March 16 

Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm 

Learn how to get the most out of your iPhone 

camera. This camera shoots great still photos 

and wonderful movies! Put your new skills to 

work in the Filoli Garden and get acquainted 

with some cool features. Discover how to 

download and edit your images and get 

familiar with some exciting new editing apps. 

Fee: $60 members; $75 non-members. Bring 

your iPhone fully charged and a booster / 

auxiliary battery if you own one. 

iPhone Photography II 

Dates: 

Wednesday, 

February 20, 

Saturday, 

March 23 or 

Saturday, 

April 20 

Time: 9:00 am 

– 1:00 pm 

Building on the skills you mastered in iPhone 

I, this workshop will provide you with more 

information on handling the camera, exploring 

new applications in depth and editing and 

organizing your images in your camera and 

the iPhone community, which is exploding 

with possibilities on the Internet. 


Ed:2 

Seasons at Filoli 

Capture the seasons at Filoli through these 

fun and informative workshops. 

Time: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm 

Winter - Friday, February 22 and 


Spring - Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6 

Summer - Friday, July 26 and Saturday, 

July 27 

Fee for each workshop: $115 members; $140 

non-members 

Introduction to Landscape Photography 

Dates: Tuesday, March 12 and 

Thursday, March 14 

Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm 

Gardens provide wonderful opportunities to 

make a variety of stunning images. Begin 

with a classroom discussion on camera 

techniques, proper exposure and elements of 

composition. Then go out into the Garden and 

apply the techniques you have just learned. 

Come back into the classroom to review, get 

valuable feedback and further lessons. 


Postcards and Note Cards From Start 

to Finish 

Date: Friday, April 19 

Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Get the whole picture, from taking the shot to 

creating a final image. Basics such as setting 

up your camera, taking a good shot and when 

to use flash will be covered in this class. Once 

you have the shots, learn how to get them off 

the camera and edit them to create cards for 

all occasions. 


Macro Photography 

Dates: Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 

Time: 

9:00 am – 1:00 pm 

Unlock the world 

of close-up 

photography. Capture 

the beauty and 

detail of the inside 

of a flower! See the 

magic! When you 

shoot macro, focus 

is all important. You have to make a decision 

about exactly what part of the flower you want 

to be in sharp focus: the pistil, the stamen, the 

petal? Learn these techniques and more while 

refining your skills. 

Fee: $115 members; $140 non-members

Introduction to Stained Glass 

Date: Wednesday, March 13 

Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Instructor: Kim Reeves 

Learn the basics of the 

copper foil technique 

and leave with a finished 

project that you made 

yourself. In this fun and 

engaging hands-on 

class, you’ll learn about 

design and patterns, 

cut and grind glass (it’s easier than you think), 

and how to apply copper foil, solder the pieces 

together, and finish with a patina and polish. No 

experience necessary. 

Fee: $140 members; $170 non-members. All 

tools and materials provided. 

Pique Assiette Workshop 

Date: Saturday, March 16 

Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Instructor: Dori Powell 

Discover the popular French mosaic technique 

of using pieces of broken ceramics and other 

found objects arranged in patterns or designs to 

create one-of-a-kind stepping stones, table tops, 

pottery and more. In this one-day workshop, 

students learn the entire process and create two 

unique and colorful garden stepping stones. 

Fee: $90 for members; $110 for non-members 

Children and Families 

Nature Hikes 

Saturdays, February 9 through October 26* 

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

Did you know that Filoli’s nature preserve has 

more than seven miles of trails crisscrossing 

six different types of native California habitats? 

Join experienced Nature Education Docents on 

a guided two-hour hike along some of these 

well-maintained trails. Experience the beauty 

and tranquility of our nature preserve while 

learning about our natural environment and the 

wildlife that makes Filoli their home. 

Fee: Free for members or with paid admission 

to Filoli: $15 adults, $12 seniors, $5 students. 

Fee includes same-day admission to Filoli 

House and Garden on a self-guided basis. 

Reservations are required. To make 

reservations contact Visitor Services by email 

to tours@filoli.org or by phone to 650-364- 

8300, extension 507. 

*There are no hikes in August. Some Special 

Events include nature hikes; Special Event 

prices apply. Please visit our web site at www. 

filoli.org for 2013 Special Event dates. 

Note: Fees for children’s art classes include 

all materials and are for one child. Their adult 

companions can enjoy a tranquil visit to the 

House and Garden. 

Embroidery Classes 

Instructor: Lucy Barter 

Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric with 

a needle and thread or yarn. Its age of origin is 

unknown, but examples survive from Ancient 

Egypt, Iron Age Northern Europe and Zhou 

Dynasty China. Filoli’s permanent collection 

includes rare pieces of embroidery, so we are 

pleased to continue teaching this important art 

form. Using kits designed by the instructor, a 

graduate of the Royal School of Needlework 

at Hampton Court, students create individual 

pieces using a different technique in each 

workshop. These classes require no experience 

but can also be good for an accomplished 

embroiderer to brush up on techniques. 

Stumpwork 

Date: Friday, April 12 

Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Stumpwork is made up of raised embroidery 

elements, such as silk-shaded 3D wired petals 

and leaves, or wings to a butterfly. The thread 

used in this class is embroidery floss on a 

twill background fabric, with some wired gold 

threads and swatches of fabric for making the 

3D components. Some of the stitches used 

are also used in Jacobean embroidery, and in 

class you will see how they can be used to 

create a very different embroidery look. 


Art Discovery Series 

For children ages 7 through 11 

Instructor: Laura Garcia 

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Explore the many 

ways you can interpret 

what you see in your 

surroundings and 

have fun creating 

impressive works of art. 

Discover how to draw 

wildlife, make unique 

collages and watercolor 

masterpieces and draw 

flowers in the garden! 

These fun classes will 

open doors of discovery 

through insightful instruction and personal 

guidance. 

Fee for each class: $25 members; 

$30 non-members 

Wildlife Drawing 


Visit our nature museum, get close to the 

wildlife of Filoli and discover how to draw 

animals. 

Drawing Creepy Crawlers (Insects) 

Saturday, March 9 

Find out how to draw creepy crawlers 

using pictures and insects from our nature 

museum. Simple shapes are the key! 

Watercolor Wonders 

Saturday, April 20 

Discover the many ways you can use 

watercolor to create a one-of-a-kind work of art. 

Collages 

Saturday, May 18 

Create an expressive collage using a wide 

variety of fun objects. 

Introduction to Embroidery 

Dates: Saturday, April 13 

Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Discover the artistry of embroidery through 

hands-on lessons using a range of embroidery 

stitches that have been used in embroidery 

throughout the ages. Listen to interesting 

historical accounts as you learn and practice 

stitching. Experiment with a variety of thread 

types such as cotton, silk, wool and gold. 


More classes with Lucy — 

Box Making, Friday, May 17 

Crewelwork, Saturday, May 18 

Whitework, Friday, June 21 

Monogram Paperweight, Saturday, June 22 

Program descriptions and registration will be 


Botanical Art 

For children ages 8 and up 

Saturday, April 13, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm 

Instructor: Catherine M. Watters 

This fun hands-on class introduces children to 

the wonderful world of botanical art, including 

fundamental principles, drawing skills and 

color mixing using graphite pencil and colored 

pencils. The class begins with a walk through 

the arden where the teacher will show the 

students all the different parts of a plant that 

they will draw. Then it’s back to the classroom 

for two hours of thoughtful instruction and 

drawing. 



Flower Origami 

For children ages 8 through 12 


Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Instructor: Keiko Fujita 

Origami is the 

traditional Japanese 

art of paper folding, 

which started in the 

17th century. The 

goal of this art is 

to transform a flat 

sheet of paper into 

a finished sculpture 

through folding and 

sculpting techniques. 

The number of basic origami folds is small, but 

they can be combined in a variety of ways to 

make beautiful designs. In this exciting new 

class students will learn to create a variety of 

flowers from brightly colored paper. Everyone 

will bring home their own collection of origami 

flowers. 


Ed:3 January and February 2013, Filoli Highlights • Education Section

Home Floral Design 

Getting Started: 

Flower Arranging for Everyone! 


Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Instructors: Wendy Morck 

Flower arranging is a fun and creative way 

to bring the garden indoors and brighten 

your home. Find out how to cut, condition, 

arrange and display flowers through insightful 

demonstrations and hands-on learning. Take 

home your very own creation for further 

enjoyment. 



Home Floral Design 

Certificate Program 

The Filoli Home Floral Design Certificate 

Program returns for 

its 17th consecutive 

year. Anne Patrick, 

world-renowned 

designer and one of 

the Bay Area’s most 

popular instructors, 

will once again 

be the primary 

instructor of this 

very exciting and 

rewarding program. 

A Certificate of 

Completion is awarded to students who 

complete all three core classes listed below and 

three “enrichment” programs of their choosing. 

Enrichment programs are listed below and on 

our web site. Participation in the core classes 

is not necessary to attend the enrichment 

programs. 

Class dates and times: 

Mondays and Tuesdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Beginning – March 4 through 19 

Intermediate – April 8 through 23 

Advanced – June 3, 4, 17 through 25 



Fee includes all classroom plant materials 

and containers. There will be three homework 

assignments given in each class (beginning, 

intermediate and advanced); you are 

responsible for purchasing the plant materials. 

Enrichment Classes: 

Artistic, Modern and 

Clean Floral Design 

Date: 

Saturday, April 20 

Time: 

9:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Instructor: 

Virginia Horta 

Learn to make 

arrangements in a 

unique artistic form by using flowers just on 

their own or with very little foliage in order 

to emphasize the flower’s importance and 

show-off their beauty. This popular trend is 

referred to as a “clean” design. A modern 

design starts with a “clean” design to which 

other elements are added. This new class 

also includes instruction on how to buy and 

condition flowers and how to work with floral 

foam. 



Horticulture 

January and February 2013, Filoli Highlights • Education Section 

Rose Care Series 

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. 

Series Fee: $95 members; 


Individual class fee: $35 members; 


Pruning and Care: Climbers, Ramblers 

& Scramblers 

Date: Wednesday, January 16 or 

Saturday, January 19 

Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Pruning and Care: Hybrid Tea Roses 

Date: Wednesday January 16 or 

Saturday, January 19 

Time: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm 

Summer Rose Care 

Date: Saturday, June 22 or 

Wednesday, June 26 

Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Pruning Classes 

Instructor: Kate Nowell 

Specific pruning topics are taught through 

informative demonstrations and handson 

practice. Each workshop begins with a 

demonstration followed by guided, hands-on 

practice. 



Fruit Trees 

Date: Saturday, January 26 

Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Wisteria 

Date: Saturday, January 26 

Time: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm 

Hydrangea Care 


Wednesday, January 30, 

10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Saturday, February 2, 

10:30 am – 12:30 pm or 

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm 


Hydrangeas are classic 

garden plants enjoying popularity in the modern 

garden. While easy to grow, they require 

special care to reach their blooming potential. 

Learn about hydrangea growing requirements, 

pruning, propagation and cutting during this 

garden talk and demonstration. 

Fee: $35 member; $40 non-member 

Veggie Garden Basics 


Wednesday, March 20, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Saturday, March 23, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm 


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 and figuring out what crops work in 

your particular situation. Topics such as soil 

preparation, amendments, fertilizers, and a 

variety of harvesting techniques will also be 

discussed. 

Fee: $35 members; $40 non members 

Ed:4 

A Year in the Garden Series 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. 

Series Fee: $450 members; $540 nonmembers. 

Fee includes all course materials 

and handouts. 

Dates and times vary. Please see www.filoli. 

org for exact dates and times. 

February: Botany for Gardeners Part I; 

The Winter Garden 

March: Botany for Gardeners Part II; 

Pruning Demystified 

April: Soil Management; 

Landscape Tree and Shrub ID 

May: Garden Design; 

Landscape Perennial and Annual Plant ID 

June: Plant Propagation; 

Pruning Spring Bloomers 

July: The Joys of Summer; Pest Management 

September: Autumn Color Maintenance 

A Year in the Garden Series Part II 

Dates: Wednesdays, February 20, April 24 and 

June 19 

Hours: 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 


Open to all students who have completed 

the A Year in the Garden Series Part I, this is 

an opportunity to gain further knowledge in 

the art of pruning and to go deeper into plant 

identification. This 6 class series will take place 

on 3 different days. On each of those days 

you will spend the morning learning pruning 

techniques through informative demonstrations 

and the afternoon on plant walks gaining further 

knowledge of plant material. There will be a 

plant identification test at the end of each class. 


Pruning Demystified 


Time: 

10:30 am – 12:30 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. 

Fee: $35 members; $40 non-members

CAMELLIA RENOVATION 

AT FILOLI 

by 

Paul Cady 

The camellia collection at Filoli is an extensive 

and historic part of the garden. Of the more than 

100 species of camel lia worldwide, Filoli has 

nine species and hybrids; our largest collections 

are of Camellia japonica, C. sasanqua, and C. 

reticulata, with C. japonica cultivars being the 

best represented. Most of the camellias at Filoli 

were planted by Mrs. Roth when she was in 

residence from the 1930s to the 1970s, mainly in 

the walled and woodland gardens. Camellias can 

also be found around the house, Garden Shop, and 

near the balustrades along the lawns. Camellias 

are in bloom from late October to May. 

Camellias at Filoli are pruned extensively every 

year to encourage flowering, remove dead wood, 

and maintain their size and shape. The goal of 

our pruning is to create a small tree or shrub with 

a uniform branch structure supporting a dense 

canopy, which will produce a wall of flowers when 

in bloom. Most of our camellias are shaped into 

specific forms, while others in less formal areas 

are allowed to expand and grow to their full sizes. 

This latter tactic was employed for many years 

in the walled and woodland gardens, resulting in 

large mature plants. Unfortunately, the eventual 

A JOURNAL FROM THE 

GARDEN AT FILOLI 

size of the camellias was not taken into account at 

planting. The result was overcrowding and a tall, 

arching canopy with few lower branches and large 

dimensions out of scale with the surrounding 

garden. Because camellias flower on previous 

year’s growth, most of the growth was at the top 

and the majority of the flowers were high off the 

ground where no one could see them. 

Due to overcrowding, inaccessibility of flowers, 

and general scale issues, the decision was made 

in 2008 to renovate the Camellia japonica and 

C. sasanqua shrubs in the walled and woodland 

gardens. Renovation is an accepted horticultural 

practice for reducing the size of camellias. Once a 

hard cut (renovation) is made, the dormant buds in 

the trunks have the ability to sprout and grow into 

new branches. At Filoli we do not renovate C. 

reticulata as we have found they do not respond 

as well, if at all, to hard renovation pruning. 

Before considering renovation, you should realize 

that pruning begets more pruning; once you 

begin pruning, the plant will have to be pruned 

every year to retrain and maintain the shape and 

size. Depending on the eventual size, the time 

commitment for pruning can be sizeable. If 

not properly trained after the initial renovation, 

the plant will produce copious amounts of 

weak, spindly growth, which is not conducive 

to creating an attractive, well maintained shrub 

and will probably leave you with a less desirable 

specimen. At Filoli we have committed ourselves 

to the necessary extra pruning time. 

Starting in 2008, and continuing to the present, 

the horticultural staff has been systematically 

renovating the overgrown specimens. In general, 

most plants have been brought down to a height 

between 6 and 10 feet, though some plants in 

the centers of beds have been left taller. All the 

sawing work was done with hand saws, rather 

than chain saws, to ensure clean, precise cuts. 

Plants were renovated into loose pyramidal 

shapes, with the top of the pyramid being as close 

to the middle of the plant as possible (see upper 

left photo, page 2). A strong horizontal branching 

pattern is ideal, and this was taken into account 

when pruning decisions were made. Sides were 

cut hard to maintain the structure of the pyramid, 

while leaving room for new growth to fill in and 

create the desired horizontal branching effect. 

Some vertical side growth was removed even if 

it created holes in the shrub, because removing 

vertical growth encourages bud sprouting from 

the inside of the plant, creating a better horizontal 

structure. 

Ideally, all renovation would be done in late 

winter in order to give the most time for new 

NUMBER 60 PAGE 1 © WINTER 2013 FILOLI

Three stages of camellia renovation: in the upper left photo, a large specimen has been dramatically renovated; the upper right photo shows 

the resulting flush of dormant shoots; and in the photo below, the shoots have been thinned in order to develop the new branches. 

growth to occur. Time constraints being what they 

are, and so that visitors wouldn’t miss too many 

years of flowers, camellia renovations at Filoli 

start after flowering 

finishes and continue 

through summer. In 

order to minimize the 

time without flowers, 

the entire plant is done 

at once. In a home 

landscape, renovation 

projects could be 

undertaken over 

multiple years with 

the top being done one 

year and the sides done 

the next. This would 

prolong the project 

but would maintain at 

least some flowering 

over the duration of the 

renovation. Depending 

on the aggressiveness, 

working over multiple 

years would avoid 

completely denuding 

the entire plant and will 

help the plant put on 

new growth faster. 

After the initial large 

PAGE 2 

cuts are made to define the outline, the plant 

is left to resprout. In our experience, the more 

material removed, the longer it will take for the 

latent buds to sprout. 

Historically we have 

had good success with 

resprouting, but have 

lost a couple of plants. 

Most of the plants we 

lost were renovated 

to two feet from the 

ground. Leaving a 

more significant trunk 

for resprouting would 

therefore be a good idea. 

Making sure the plant is 

well watered and doesn’t 

experience any drought 

stress while recovering 

is also beneficial. Extra 

fertilization is not 

necessary. 

The training process 

begins the first 

spring after the initial 

renovation. Most of the 

resprouting will happen 

at the top of the plant 

where the cuts were 

made (see upper right

A B C 

Here, the process is depicted in an easier to visualize manner. Drawing A shows a camellia before renovation. Drawing B shows the same 

tree after the renovation cuts have been made. Drawing C shows the flush of new sprouts, with Circle 1 detailing the burst of new shoots, 

and Circle 2 showing the same branch after thinning and heading cuts have been made. All photos and drawings by the author. 

photo). Other buds will sprout further down the 

trunk, but unless the plant is in a lot of sun, there 

probably won’t be much sprouting in the bottom 

third of the plant. Since the goal of renovations 

at Filoli is size control in addition to flower 

promotion, we thin or cut back most of the new 

growth. 

Starting at the top, any new sprouts growing into 

the center, rather than toward the outside, can 

be removed or cut back to two buds. Multiple 

sprouts often form from the same bud. Leave the 

strongest, remove any others, then cut the sprout 

back to two buds (bottom photo, previous page). 

If possible, trim sprouts back to an outward facing 

bud. This is especially important for sprouts on 

the bare lower portions of the trunks. Buds sprout 

in the direction they are facing- outside facing 

buds sprout toward the outside of the plant, inside 

facing buds sprout toward the inside of the plant. 

Even the slightest directional encouragement can 

be helpful when training camellias. As part of 

the training process, horizontal branching of new 

shoots is to be encouraged. 

The rest of the plant can be pruned in a similar 

manner, i.e., cut back most of the new growth 

to two buds, thin out congested sections, and 

encourage horizontal branching whenever 

possible. Occasionally, the original renovation 

cuts may not have taken back the main stems 

to where they should optimally be located for 

good structural regrowth. If this is the case, the 

main trunks can be further cut back to maintain 

the shape. Any pruning should be done before 

the camellia sets flower buds for the next year, 

usually before mid-July to August. Flower buds 

are much fatter than vegetative buds and can be 

easily distinguished. 

All the hard pruning cuts should make the plant 

respond vigorously throughout the growing 

season. This may necessitate another pruning in 

the late winter to take off the longest branches to 

highlight the flowers. Care should be taken not 

to remove any flower buds that may have formed. 

PAGE 3 

1 

The second year after renovation should produce 

sporadic flowering. Pruning and training the 

second year is similar to the first year, with some 

thinning at the top and pruning to encourage 

horizontal branching and dense growth. The 

shape of the plant should start to become visible 

at this point and it will be easier to see what 

will need to be pruned to maintain the desired 

form. Continue in this vein year after year, and 

eventually the plant will become the desired size 

and shape. 

Renovation is an effective method for maintaining 

and reshaping old and overgrown camellias. As 

long as proper pruning happens in the years after 

renovation, plants can be safely and effectively 

brought back into a proper garden size. The end 

result, long term, will be a more beautiful, better 

shaped plant to enjoy for many years. 

For further reading on camellias and camellia 

renovation, please see the following excellent 

reference books available in the Friends of 

Filoli Library: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 

Camellias by Stirling Macoby, Camellias: The 

Gardener’s Encyclopedia by Jennifer Trehane, 

and Camellias Illustrated by Morrie L. Sharp. 

Paul Cady was formerly the assistant horticulturist in the 

Walled and Woodland Gardens. He left Filoli last summer to 

pursue his Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecure from 

the University of Georgia. 

The Sundial Times 

The Sundial Times is a quarterly supplement to the 

Friends of Filoli Highlights. 

Jim Salyards, Editor 

Alex Fernandez, Managing Editor 

Paul Littlepage, Proofreader 

Paul Cady, Contributing Writer 

Filoli, 86 Cañada Road. Woodside, CA 94062 

(650) 364-8300 

Website: www.filoli.org; Email: jsalyards@filoli.org 

2

CAMELLIAS IN CONTAINERS 

by 

Jim Salyards 

Filoli has a long tradition of camellias in the garden 

and for many years has used these wonderful 

evergreen plants in containers for display. Not only 

do they provide a stunning floral display when in 

bloom in the fall, winter and spring (depending on 

variety), but, because of their beautiful, glossy green 

leaves and an elegant habit, they also make a great 

foundation plant or specimen on a patio or added 

to any outdoor living space. Planting camellias in 

containers also provides an opportunity to grow them 

when general growing conditions are not favorable. 

There are a few rules for care specific to camellias, 

but many of the requirements apply to most shrubs 

grown in containers. 

Best Varieties 

Camellia species and cultivars with compact habits 

and short internodes work best and are the easiest 

to maintain in shape and size. C. sasanqua and C. 

japonica tend to work best, but 

other species can be grown in 

containers as well. Varieties 

in the Higo group have short 

internodes and beautiful, 

lustrous green growth with 

smaller flowers. Some of 

the varieties we have had the 

best success with include C. 

japonica cultivars ‘Panache’, 

‘Debutante’, ‘Buttons ‘n’ Bows’ 

and ‘C.M. Wilson’. 

Light and Environment 

For optimal growth, camellias 

require semi-shade with special 

attention to protection from 

hot summer sun. Containers 

should be rotated regularly to 

promote even growth. The best 

location for a camellia is on the 

north or east side of structures, 

beneath trees or under eaves 

or a lathe ceiling. Camellias 

also like humidity, especially 

during the dry days of summer. 

Washing the foliage with water 

spray keeps the plants looking 

attractive and healthy. 

Soil 

Camellias require an acid soil that is rich in organic 

matter, but also one that drains well. The organic 

component can be any combination of peat, compost, 

leaf mold or composted bark. Our containers are 

potted with Filoli’s soil mix which is a ratio of five 

parts redwood compost to three parts perlite to two 

parts each coarse peat, sand and compost. 

Water and Fertilization 

Consistent moisture is critical for healthy, vigorous 

growth of camellias. Their roots are very fibrous 

and tend to form a mat at the soil surface. The 

entire soil surface needs to be kept evenly moist, 

Camellia ‘Buttons ‘n’ Bows’ in the Garden House. 

PAGE 4 


4 

but never soggy. Because surface roots are prone 

to burning, fertilizers should be of the slow-release 

type, like Osmocote, and applied every six weeks. 

Alternatively, an acid liquid feed every week or so 

during growing season after the plants have finished 

blooming is also acceptable. A non-chemical based, 

slow-release fertilizer is cottonseed meal applied at 

four pounds per 100 square feet four times per year. 

Roots will burn with application of soluble, high 

nitrogen fertilzers like ammonium sulfate. 

Potting and Repotting 

Timing for potting and repotting is critical. Potting 

should be done when the plants are dormant, or when 

there is no new growth visible. However, the best 

time is actually when the plants are blooming. When 

choosing a container for your camellia, one with a 

soil volume no more than 2-3 times that of the plant 

is best. For easy removal of the root ball when 

repotting, choose containers with straight or outwardsloping 

sides. Container plants should be potted up a 

pot size every year or two to reach desired size. 

Once the plant has achieved its ultimate size, which 

depends on the camellia variety and the space the 

plant is given, it should be repotted in the same pot 

every 2-3 years depending on 

the vigor of the plant. Remove 

the plant from the pot, carefully 

tease the dense outer root layer 

apart and proceed by scratching 

away soil so that one to two 

inch root segments are exposed. 

For many plants, and especially 

for camellias, a good technique 

is to use a hose with a highpressure 

nozzle to gently wash 

away the outer soil. Trim the 

roots and remove any long, 

circling roots on the outside 

edge of the root ball. 

Repot with fresh soil making 

any adjustments to plant angle 

as necessary, center the trunk in 

the pot and cock the root ball to 

straighten the trunk. Don’t make 

the mistake of potting the plant 

too high. Leave enough room 

so that the plant has a watering 

reservoir of about two inches 

down from the lip of the pot. 

Water the container thoroughly. 

Pruning 

Camellias develop their flowers at the outer end of 

the canopy. The best time to prune the plant for 

the most bloom is when they are dormant and in 

bloom. Heading back the branches to good healthy 

buds promotes more blooming. Pruning a camellia 

by thinning out branches opens it up but reduces its 

bloom. Maintain size and shape with regular pruning. 

Shape the plant as it grows, removing unwanted 

branches when still small. Never remove more than 

one-third of the leaf area at any one time. 

This article orginally was printed in the Fall 2003 

issue of the Sundial Times. The editors felt it would 

be a good companion to the lead article on camellia 

renovation.

Friends of Filoli 

Board of Directors 2013 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 

President Carol Croce 

VP, Events Ann Ritter 

VP, Support Operations Mark Gathmann 

VP, Volunteer Resources Julia Dillingham 

Secretary Nyna Dolby 

Past President/Nominating Chair Pam Smith 

COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND CO-CHAIRS: 

Art Committee Pat Park, David Sheetz 

Café Betty Zambetti, Sylvia Stoudt 

Floral Design Joan Upton, Donna Pellizzari 

Flower Arrangers Wendy Morck 

Garden Information 

Services 

Carol Hardesty, Caroline Zlotnick 

Garden Shop Staffing Janet Filippi 

Garden Volunteers Ann Mori, Deborah Iacoponi 

Hospitality Edith Phillips, Madeline Brane 

House and Garden Docents: 

School Tours Suzy Ferrari 

Guided Kay Andersen, Greg Mellberg 

Self-Guided Lorraine Nielson, Roxann Salgo 

Training Coordinator Florence Bell 

Library/Collections Diane Lawrence, Carole Farina 

Member Services Nancy Shannon 

Nature Education Heidi Brown 

Orchard Interpretation Don Andersen 

Video Bob Mitchell 

Visitor Services Kathy Bertonneau 

EVENT CHAIRS AND CO-CHAIRS: 

Spring Fling Peggy Anderson, Sue Pierce 

Jazz at Filoli Laurie Sells, Chuck Horton 

Flower Show Virginia Horta, Ann Mori 

Wine with Roses Katie Treu, Denise Schmid 

Twilight Garden Strolls Deborah Maufer, Ellen Berryhill 

Autumn Festival Gitti Kalkuhl, Donna Mollenhauer 

Holiday Traditions Margaret Ong, Jackie Hasenstab 

“Filoli Features” is Filoli’s Online Newsletter 

Filoli launched its first online newsletter in January 2007. We 

continue to send the online newsletter to all Filoli members 

each month. 

If you do not already receive Filoli Features, please share 

your email with us so that you don’t miss an issue. Send 

your email address to Member Services at membership@ 

filoli.org or call (650) 364-8300, ext. 508, Mondays through 

Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. It will also be important to 

add newsletter@filoli.org to your email address book. 

2013 

Schedule of Events 

SPECIAL EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES— 

February 5 Filoli opens for the season at 10:00 am 

February 22-24 Opening Celebration: 

Daffodil Daydreams, Informative 

demonstrations, walks, talks and crafts 

February 27 Afternoon Tea— Continues 4th 

Wednesdays and April 10 through 

October 

April 6 Spring Fling— Activities and 

entertainment for the entire family 

May 9-12 Filoli Flower Show 

Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend 

with family and friends 

June-September Jazz at Filoli 

Six Sunday afternoon concerts 

June 11 Member Benefit Event: 

Twilight Garden Stroll 

Filoli’s way of saying “Thank You” 

to members 

July 10 Member Benefit Event: 

Reception and Lecture 


to members 

July 20 An Evening of Wine with Roses 

An elegant evening of wine tasting 

and hors d’oeuvres in the Garden 

August 2-4 Summer Celebration: 

The Great Big Garden Bonanza 

Informative demonstrations, 

walks, talks and crafts 

August 21 Member Benefit Event: 

Twilight Garden Stroll 


to members 

September 12 Member Benefit Event: 

Reception and Lecture 


to members 

September 28 Autumn at Filoli Festival 

Celebrate the harvest and enjoy 

family entertainment 

October 27 Filoli closes for the season at 3:30 pm 

November 29- Holiday Traditions at Filoli 

December 7 Parties, dining, dancing and shopping 

For Holiday Closings and to Learn more 

throughout the year, visit Filoli’s website at 

www.filoli.org 


filoli center 

86 Cañada Road 

Woodside, CA 94062-4143 

(650) 364-8300 Main Number 

(650) 366-7836 Fax 

friends@filoli.org 

Contact Filoli: 

Information and Visitor Services 

(650) 364-8300, ext. 509 

Fax: (650) 367-0724 

visitorservices@filoli.org 

Group Tours 

(650) 364-8300, ext. 208 

tours@filoli.org 

Member Services, Ticket Office, 

Memberships & Gift Memberships 

(650) 364-8300, ext. 508 

Fax: (650) 503-2090 

membership@filoli.org 

tickets@filoli.org 

Volunteer Opportunities 

volunteer@filoli.org 

Meeting Facilities Rental 

(650) 364-8300, ext. 208 

visitorservices@filoli.org 

Education Department 

(650) 364-8300, ext. 233 

classes@filoli.org 

Afternoon Tea at Filoli 

(650) 364-8300, ext. 288 

Support Filoli: 

www.filoli.org/support-us 

Gifts & Bequest Information 

(650) 364-8300, ext. 228 

gifts@filoli.org 

Visit Filoli: www.filoli.org 

Connect with Filoli: 

Online Newsletter Sign-up 

www.filoli.org/enewsletter 

Photos in this issue by Cindy McArthur, 

Darlene Hampton, Bob Mitchell, 

Margaret Mitchell, Kate Nowell and others. 

Non-Profit Org. 

U.S. Postage 

PAID 

Filoli Center 

Filoli Mission Statement: 

Filoli is dedicated to the preservation, interpretation and stewardship of the 

cultural traditions and natural history of this country estate for public education 

and enjoyment. 

Plan Your Visit To Filoli 

Visitor Services Contact Information: 

Phone: (650) 364-8300, ext. 509 

Fax: (650) 367-0724 

Email: visitorservices@filoli.org 

2013 Season and Hours: Filoli is open 

February 5 through October 27, 2013, Tuesdays - 

Saturdays, 10:00 am to 3:30 pm (last admission 

is at 2:30 pm); Sundays, 11:00 am to 3:30 pm 

(last admission is at 2:30 pm); closed Mondays. 

Filoli is also closed in observance of all federal 

holidays and Easter Sunday. 

Admission: All visitors must check in 

at the Visitor & Education Center and 

receive a sticker that provides them 

entrance to the House and Garden. Free 

to current Filoli and National Trust for Historic 

Preservation members. Non-members — Adults 

$15, Seniors $12 (65 years and older), K-12 

educators with employee I.D. from adjoining 

counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, 

San Mateo, Santa Clara) and students $5 (ages 

5-17 or with valid student ID); children 4 years 

and younger are free. Group rates are available 

for groups of 12 or more adults. Additional fees 

in effect for everyone on Special Fundraising 

days. Filoli is wheelchair-accessible on the 

first floor of the House and some areas of the 

Garden. Filoli does not provide wheelchairs or 

strollers. Please inquire at Visitor Services for 

the best route for wheelchairs and strollers. 

Visiting: A map is available and docents are 

present in both the House and Garden to answer 

questions. There is also a continuously running 

15-minute video in the Visitor & Education 

Center on the history of Filoli. 

Tours and Hikes: All tours are free with 

the price of admission. Prepaid advanced 

reservations are recommended. Contact Visitor 

Services for times and reservations. 

House & Garden Tours: Available Tuesdays 

– Saturdays. These docent-led tours are about 

two hours long and cover the main floor of the 

House and the Garden. 

Orchard Tours: Available Wednesdays 

and Saturdays at 10:30 am beginning June 

1. Docent-led tours of Filoli’s Gentlemen’s 

Orchard require sturdy footwear and last about 

one and a half hours. 

Nature Hikes: Available most Saturdays at 

10:00 am. These docent-led hikes cover about 3 

miles of trails, wildlife, plants, and history, and 

take approximately 2 hours. Visitors must hike 

with a docent. Children must be 5 years or older. 

School Tours & Hikes: Filoli serves school 

children and teachers through three curriculumbased 

programs: Nature Education Hikes 

(Grades 2-6), House and Garden Tours (Grade 

4), and Native Plants/Native Ways (Grade 4). 

Information regarding these offerings can be 

found at www.filoli.org/education. Click on 

“Teachers and School Programs.” 

Filoli Garden Shop: Open during Filoli’s 

open hours, you’ll find a wonderful array of 

unique and seasonal items for the home and 

garden including a selection of gift items, 

apparel, gardening books, plants and seeds. 

Café at Filoli: Open Tuesdays – Saturdays 

from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm and Sundays from 

10:30 am – 3:30 pm. Enjoy a variety of 

delicious food including soups, sandwiches, 

salads, quiches, sweet treats, cold drinks, tea 

and coffee. Boxed lunches for groups of 8 to 

20 persons may be ordered in advance. Please 

email visitorservices@filoli.org with any 

group lunch inquiries and café@filoli.org with 

any café inquiries.

January/February 2013 Issue - Filoli

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