On a sunny weekend this Spring we left our little town of Merced, ventured out over the hills and landed in Redwood City to spend a cozy weekend with some very special family members.
It was a long overdue trip and we are so glad that we made it...there was great conversation, great food, lots of love and a special outing.
Many years ago when I was in college I discovered the most wonderful gardens....
the estate of Filoli (named by it's original owner, William Bourn, for his credo - "Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life."), in Woodside, is a treasure of garden delights.
The house is amazing also, of course....
...but it is the gardens that speak to my heart. When I was studying Landscape Architecture the old gardens called to me - at one time I thought I might like to be a garden historian, helping to restore and care for these wondrous beauties - so Filoli was the topic of one of my papers in college and that is how we became acquainted. From the moment I stepped foot in the gardens I was smitten. What a wonder it would have been to have lived here and enjoyed these gardens on a more intimate note. Wandering through them at will, throwing parties, watching the seasons of the garden change. Each time I visit this feeling comes back to me and always I am reluctant to leave this amazing place.
There is so much that this garden offers...such detail....
works of art preserved here for all to enjoy...
weathered pots placed in just the right spots...
from beds with a riot of colour...
to one perfect bloom...
architectural details...
small vignettes to be stumbled upon....
the joy of serendipity...
to the wonder of the carefully planned knot garden...
Filoli offers all of this
and the concrete lessons of a landscape that is well thought out and follows principals of
good excellent garden design.
This is an incredible little piece of the garden that creates a wonderful vista...
and once you finally reach that distant stone birdbath that calls your attention you turn around and realize that looking back over where you have just walked is another vista just as breath-taking.
Amazing symmetry....
the beauty of repetition...
the element of surprise...
the rewards of constant pruning...
the pleasure of colour and texture well placed....
transitions from space to space - high to low, formal to informal...colourful to monochromatic...
So many lessons, so much to see, such beauty.
Because of a generous owner, many volunteers and countless hours of care - many people are able to enjoy this space now...Brian is helping some women make a memory!
We made our own memories!
Even the working gardens at Filoli are a thing of beauty. All the flowers for flower arrangements in the house are cut from the gardens here...and arranged by 'Friends of Filoli' the loyal volunteers who show their love for these gardens with their effort and time.
When it was time to go - I lagged behind, as always, not wanting to say good bye to this glorious place...thank you Theresa for taking Brian and I back to a much loved spot and for the joy of being able to share it with our girlies!
A little relaxing in front of the TV after a day roaming out of doors....
and then back to our little town of Merced.
I encourage you to take a little trip...whether to
my Filoli...or a garden near you...go out and fall in love with a garden...the relationship will last for years!
xoxo Elizabeth
