Filoli’s 2012 Season Opening Celebration—“Daffodil Daydreams”

Filoli’s 2012 Season Opening Celebration—“Daffodil Daydreams”

Special Talks and Activities at Historic Site in Woodside

Date:   Friday, February 24 through Sunday, February 26, 2012

Time:  Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Filoli, a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is hosting its “Daffodil Daydreams” celebration for people of all ages to enjoy the Garden’s spectacular early spring floral display with almost a million daffodils in bloom.  “Daffodil Daydreams” features three days of talks, demonstrations, activities for children and families, garden walks with horticulturalists and the first fine art exhibit of the 2012 Visiting Season entitled Landmarks of California.  This exhibit features original artwork on loan from the San Mateo County Office of Education’s High School Artists’ Hall of Fame. 

Talks will be given by Jim Salyards, Filoli’s Greenhouse Manager; Bob Spotts, Past President of the Northern California Daffodil Society; Lucy Barter, Filoli Instructor and Graduate of the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court in England; and Lee McCaffree, renowned Botanical Art artist and Filoli instructor.  There will be a demonstration of Cooking with Seasonal Foods by chef and Filoli Instructor, Ursula Gallichotte on February 25.  On February 26, Melissa Reading, current President of the Northern California Daffodil Society, will lead a Garden Walk.  There will also be Flower Arranging with Seasonal Blooms demonstrations February 24 through February 26.  Artists are invited to photograph and paint in the Garden on Friday, February 24 and Sunday, February 26 when easels and tripods are welcome.  Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In 2009, Filoli was selected as an American Daffodil Society Designated Display Garden, becoming the only Designated Daffodil Display Garden on the West Coast.  Filoli’s collection, which represents 122 different cultivars, was chosen because its extensive daffodil collection has significant historical, public service and educational focuses.  Reservations are not necessary; however, space is limited for some of the programs. 

Opening Celebration Admission:  Free for Filoli members or with paid admission to Filoli.  Visit www.filoli.org or call (650) 364-8300, ext. 508 weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for more details and the program schedule for “Daffodil Daydreams”.

Admission Fees:  Free admission for current members of Filoli.  For non-members, admission is Adults $15, Seniors (65 years and older) $12, students $5 (ages 5 through 17 or with valid student ID); no admission charge for children 4 years and younger.  Group rates are available for groups of 12 or more adults by contacting Visitor Services at (650) 364-8300, ext. 507.  Parking is free.

Admission includes:  Self-guided or docent-led guided tours of the House and Garden, access to the Café, Garden Shop, art exhibit and on Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. docent-led nature hikes with advance reservations.

Questions:  Call Filoli weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at (650) 364-8300, ext. 508.

Visit www.filoli.org for complete event activities and other upcoming events and classes at Filoli.