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In S.F.'s Filbert Steps Gardens, Stories Bloom

Virginia and Elios "Andy" Anderlini, in one of the most recognizable gardens on Telegraph Hill. Elios Anderlini died last week. He tended his roses until the end.
Ketzel Levine, NPR
Virginia and Elios "Andy" Anderlini, in one of the most recognizable gardens on Telegraph Hill. Elios Anderlini died last week. He tended his roses until the end.
The gardens along the Filbert Steps, which lead to a famous city landmark: Coit Tower.
Ketzel Levine, NPR /
The gardens along the Filbert Steps, which lead to a famous city landmark: Coit Tower.

One of the most beloved streets in San Francisco has no sidewalk, no curb and is inaccessible by car. Instead, it's all steps.

The Filbert Steps create a steep spine that runs up and down historic Telegraph Hill, leading visitors past some of the city's oldest houses and most sublime, secret gardens. The gardens are heavy with lovely blossoms -- and local history.

As NPR's Ketzel Levine reports, many of these gardens were once discarded lots, still owned by the city. Their colorful, stunning blooms -- some of which have become havens for hummingbirds, mockingbirds and wild parrots -- are the result of the efforts of individual gardeners who, over the years, took it upon themselves to beautify their little corner of the city.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Ketzel Levine
NPR Senior Correspondent Ketzel Levine reports for Morning Edition.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.