What could be prettier than this?

Or more dramatic?

2 of them!

These were just huge. I was told by the head gardener that Mrs. Roth, the previous owner, loved begonias and they had a huge collection of them in the greenhouses. These 2 are from her collection.

I think Mrs. Roth donated Filoli to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the 1970s. So these are very old!! They were about 5 feet in diameter. They were on either side of the grand entrance to the living room from the big foyer.

I love Filoli!
http://www.filoli.org/

Any idea which this is?

I know I have seen it before.

Oh Kell, at first I thought these were your plants and I was thinking 'where and why has she been hiding those beauties!'. I love seeing the old, vintage plants in all of their glory - thanks for showing.

The head gardener gave me a leaf so I sure hope to have this one. The leaves were so glossy!

Still a bit early for Filoli to glow this year. This was my visit of many to come thru spring. At one point I will go every day.

Kell - I lived in Burlingame for many years and Filoli was my favorite place to visit. It is so nice to see your photo of it.

We moved to New Mexico seven years ago but I am still always homesick for my former home. Thanks for the nice reminder of those wonderful days.

June

Oh June, then let me give you one a pic in full bloom from last year. I am there many, many days enjoying the good life.

Thank you so much, Kell. One of my favorite spots at Filoli is under the Camperdown Elms. It's like entering a magical secret place.

June

Oh, the object of my affection!

In full flower........... takes your breath away!

Sorry for taking over your thread, but that picture brings back happy memories. My best friend lives in Woodside and I really must make a trip there this year. She was my Filoli buddy and we headed there every chance we got.

I love it there also. I spend long days there esp in spring.

No one else was too interested in the Filoli begonias except for Susan, so I would not worry about the thread. LOL

This is my favorite among favorites of Filoli views. I always try to look up as I walk around for the surrounding el natural tapestry of green is so engaging.

Kell you are very fortunate to have such beautiful, peaceful gardens close to you. I think I would be there every day also. I love seeing your pics.

OOOOHHH you California gals are killing us in the mid west!! Those pictures are gorgeous!
The blooming trees are they Yoshino cherry? The azaleas and spring blooming cherries? are to die for!
I don't know about you all but I went to Washington D.C. one April and I could not believe how beautiful and fragrant the long (forgot the name of the area) expanse of cherry trees given by the Japanese Gov.
to the Am. people after Pearl harbor look in bloom!! I was blown away by the "pink" and smell in the air EVERY where. I can't imagine a more beautiful place to carry on the countries business!
But then I went to the Smokey Mountains and the whole length of the many miles going into the Mountains are lined with Rhododendrons!! Oh MY the woods looked as if some one spilled buckets of pink, white and red paint in there!! The Spring views in many places in this country are as spectacular as it gets!
Thank You for your pictures it made me remember some of my favorite sites in the Spring!
Julie

Spring is so special isn't it, Julie! I will have to look for the name tags on those plants to be sure. I always wanted to go to Washington during cherry blossom season.

Right now there are fruit trees in bloom all over. I love it. Especially on the freeways. Tons of them. I wish I could stop to take pictures and really enjoy them.

Susan, I sure am. And it is much easier than having my own most amazing garden. I do not have to weed or water. LOL I am trying to decide which garden I want my ashes spread in. I am hoping my husband and son can dig a little hole here and there with their heels and dump a bit of me all over. LOL

Wisteria is always special at Filoli. They have so many of them that just explode with such color!!

Kell -- LOL. That is exacly what I want done with my ashes. Hopefully my California friends will outlive me and be able to do it! My second choice is Miramar Beach at Half Moon Bay. Or perhaps a bit of me in both places that I so love? ;-)

June

Kell, beautiful pics, love the Wisteria

Oh June, I may need to go to Miramar Beach. Isn't there a place to eat there? I think I heard of one. I wish we could figure out a way not to die and get to visit all our favorite places forever. I might as well add and be young forever too! LOL Better than being there as ashes. LOL

We went to The Ritz at HMB a couple of weeks ago for brunch. Just so beautiful. We had such a good time we are going back for Easter and Mother's Day. LOL

Here is a house that was on Highway 1 close to 92. So much land.

Oh Patootie, if you like wisteria Filoli is the place. They have so many kinds in all colors and most are very old and get just covered in bloom. I go there daily in wisteria season.

Lovely Kell, I can almost hear the bees buzzing around that Wisteria. Wisteria was always plentiful here, and where it was allowed to go wild it grew to the top of the trees and would take over a stand of trees. You could smell the perfume from the road as you drove by. I guess we kind of took it for granted. Was Filoli a private garden at one time?