Washington
Connecticut
Hollister House Garden
A Classic Garden in the Garden in the English Manner, with a loosely formal structure, informally planted in generous abundance situated in the Litchfield hills of Northwestern Connecticut.
The History Of Hollister house:
Beautifully situated on a sloping, terraced site in the rolling hills of Litchfield County in northwestern Connecticut, Hollister House Garden is an American interpretation of such classic English gardens as Sissinghurst , Great Dixter and Hidcote, formal in its structure but informal and rather wild in its style of planting. Begun in 1979 by George Schoellkopf, the garden since that time has evolved under George’s direction into a unique synthesis of the formal and the natural, the right angles of paths, walls and hedges melting seamlessly into the lush surrounding landscape, which forms a magnificent backdrop to the garden’s exuberant plantings. Since 1993 Gerald Incandela has contributed greatly to the garden’s development with his artist’s eye trained on redefining the surrounding landscape. The garden is sited on the southeastern side of a rambling but serenely dignified eighteenth century house on 25 acres of mostly wooded countryside. Although the garden is in no way a recreation of an eighteenth century garden, it was nevertheless planned to complement the old house, and antique or hand made materials have been used wherever possible in its construction. Various eighteenth century barns and outbuildings are visible from the garden and further help to root it in the history of the place. The garden unfolds in successive layers of space and color with delightful informal vistas from one section to the next. Eight-to-ten-foot walls and hedges with dramatic changes in level define the progression of garden spaces – “rooms” as the English like to say – and create a firm architectural framework for the romantic abundance of the plantings. A winding brook and a large pond at the bottom of the lawn add to the variety of the garden scene.
Visiting Hours:
Wednesday 1-4pm
Thursday 5-7 (June 1-August 31)
Friday 1-4pm
Saturday 10-4pm
Special hours for artists and photographers: Wednesday 9-1 (May 31 - August 30)
Recent News
Join the Hollister House Garden Team
Join our Hollister House Garden Volunteer Team Volunteers at Hollister House Garden welcome visitors as garden docents and greeters during our public visiting hours and assist with lectures, and special events. The ideal candidate is outgoing,…
Read More »Hollister House Garden News - December 28, 2023
Throughout the year we have shared the always changing views of the garden with you. As you enjoy these highlights of 2023 we hope you will consider a donation to our 2023 Annual Appeal. Your participation makes a difference! Make a Gift Please…
Read More »What's In Bloom
Dear Friends, The garden has closed for the season, so this will be the final edition of What's in Bloom for 2023. It has been our pleasure to share the beauty of this extraordinary garden with you every Tuesday, and we are grateful for your many…
Read More »Hollister House Garden News : What's In Bloom - September 26, 2023
Hemerocallis ‘Wee Willie Winkie’ across from the Horse Court Eupatorium coelestinum blooming throughout the garden The glorious seeds of Paeonia obovata in front of the Main House Dahlia ‘Mystic Illusion’ in the Long…
Read More »Hollister House Garden News : What's In Bloom - September 19, 2023
What's in Bloom Colchicum byzantinum ‘Innocence’ signaling the waning of the season Verbena bonariensis attracting pollinators to the Kitchen Garden September reflections in the Walled Garden Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida in…
Read More »Hollister House Garden: What's In Bloom - August 22, 2023
What's in Bloom Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ in the Long Border Hibiscus syriacus ‘Diana’ glorious in the Gray Garden Anemone tomentosa ‘Robustissima’ in the Long Border A bountiful harvest on the Apple Tree…
Read More »Hollister House Garden News - August 15, 2023
Upcoming Events Topiary Demonstration Saturday, August 26 Learn the art of training, trimming, and guiding a plant into a shape that is different from its natural form with Anthony Bellomo, proprietor of Orangerie Garden and Home in Millbrook.…
Read More »Hollister House Garden: What's In Bloom - July 11, 2023
What's in Bloom Dahlia ‘Great White’ in the Walled Garden Hemerocallis ‘Heavenly Flight’ in the Herb Garden Morning light in the Walled Garden Pollinators enjoying Papaver somniferum in the Double Border Hemerocallis…
Read More »Hollister House Garden: What's In Bloom - July 4, 2023
What's in Bloom Iris ensata ‘Praise’ along the Cobble Walk Nymphaea ‘Texas Dawn’ in the Reflecting Pool Papaver somniferum opening in the Double Border Echinacea paradox in the Kitchen Garden Onopordum acanthium on…
Read More »Hollister House Garden: What's In Bloom - June 27, 2023
What's in Bloom Rosa rugosa ‘Frau Dagmar Hastrup’ in the Double Border Calycanthus ‘Aphrodite’ in the Double Border Magnolia ashei fully open by the Pond Nymphae ‘Giverny Red’ on the Rill Terrace…
Read More »Hollister House Garden: What's In Bloom - June 20, 2023
What's in Bloom Signs of Summer on the Rill Terrace Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ stunning in the Double Border Magnolia ashei by the Sunken Terrace Paeonia ‘Bartzella’ in the Long Border Geum ‘Sangria' is a long…
Read More »Hollister House Garden: What's In Bloom - May 30, 2023
What's in Bloom First Friday June 2 6-8 As day fades into evening, enjoy a glass of wine, the company of friends and neighbors and see the garden in a different light. Reservations not required. Admission $10 per person. This First…
Read More »Hollister House Garden - What's In Bloom
What's in Bloom The elegant Paeonia suffruticosa in the Long Border Forget-Me-Nots scattering true blue throughout the garden The exuberant blossoms of Rosa hugonis on the Main Lawn Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ blooming on the…
Read More »Hollister House Garden Upcoming Events : June 2023
June 1 Thursday Evening Hours 5 - 7 pm Beginning June 1 and continuing through August 24, Hollister House Garden will be open on Thursday evenings from 5-7. You may bring a picnic to enjoy as the sun sets. June 2 First Friday 6 - 8 pm As the…
Read More »Hollister House Garden: What's In Bloom - May 16, 2023
What's in Bloom Early morning light in the Gray Garden The stunning Magnolia ‘Sunsation’ outside the Kitchen Garden The Double Border The elegant Tulipa ‘Ballerina’ in the Kitchen Garden Pheasant’s Eye Daffodils in…
Read More »Hollister House Garden: What's In Bloom - May 9, 2023
El Nino’ & ‘Big Brother’ Tulips brightening the Long Border Looking out from the Rill Terrace after the rain Magnolia x acuminata ‘Golden Gift’ casting shadows on the Main Lawn Delicate Epimedium flowers…
Read More »Hollister House Garden Study Weekend Symposium September 9, 2023
GARDEN STUDY WEEKEND SYMPOSIUM SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 Hollister House Garden Study Weekend will once again bring together some of the most important voices at work today in the fields of horticulture and garden design for a weekend of learning,…
Read More »Hollister House Garden : What's In Bloom - May 2, 2023
A look inside the Walled Garden Apple blossoms on the Hillside Evita in the Long Border amidst Narcissus ‘Stratosphere’ Early spring viewed from the Long Border Upcoming May Events Life in the Studio: Connecting Ceramics and…
Read More »Hollister House Garden : What's In Bloom - April 18, 2023
Opening Day April 21 The glorious Magnolia x loebneri ‘Dr. Merrill’ Cheerful bunches of daffodils blooming throughout the garden Sanguinaria canadensis ‘Multiplex’ below the Apple Tree Terrace Poeticus daffodils…
Read More »Hollister House Garden Upcoming Events : April, 2023
APRIL AT HOLLISTER HOUSE GARDEN Our season of Lectures and Workshops begins April 20 - May 18 Gardener Master Class The Gardener Master Class covers all aspects of gardening from concept and planning to installation and…
Read More »Hollister House Garden Announcing The Gardener Master Class - March 16, 2023
This five-session master class will cover all aspects of gardening, from concept and planning to installation and maintenance. For new gardeners or those with existing knowledge, this course will provide fresh ideas and concepts for re-imagining…
Read More »Join the Hollister House Garden Volunteer Team
Volunteers at Hollister House Garden welcome visitors as garden docents and greeters during our public visiting hours and assist with lectures, and special events. The ideal candidate is outgoing, reliable, and enjoys interacting with visitors. An…
Read More »