Hollister House Garden

Hollister House Garden A CLASSIC GARDEN in the English manner, with a loosely formal structure, informally planted in generous abundance situated in the Litchfield hills of CT.

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 evol

ved 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.

Experience Hollister House Garden as both a place of beauty and a source of poetic inspiration. Woodbury poet laureate e...
06/08/2026

Experience Hollister House Garden as both a place of beauty and a source of poetic inspiration. Woodbury poet laureate emerita Sandy Carlson will explore the role of nature in poetry through a brief, engaging presentation and discussion.

Participants are then invited to spend time in the garden rooms at Hollister House, observing, wandering, and writing as they feel inspired. Participants are invited to go where the Muse takes them--being as contemplative or as playful as they please. Carlson will be available for support and feedback throughout the afternoon.

The workshop will conclude with an informal open mic, offering participants the option to share their work with the group in a relaxed setting.

This workshop is for anyone who loves the beauty of gardens and the natural world—no previous poetry or writing experience is required.

Learn more and register: https://hollisterhousegarden.org/event/poetry-workshop-what-words-for-natures-beauty/

The simple elegance of an Oxeye Daisy.
06/06/2026

The simple elegance of an Oxeye Daisy.

Viburnum plicatum ’Summer Snowflake’ across from the Poet’s Garden.
06/05/2026

Viburnum plicatum ’Summer Snowflake’ across from the Poet’s Garden.

TOMORROW (Friday, June 5) looks like a beautiful summer day and there are still a few places left in our full-day waterc...
06/04/2026

TOMORROW (Friday, June 5) looks like a beautiful summer day and there are still a few places left in our full-day watercolor journal workshop. Bring a lunch and enjoy a creative day among the flowers and in the barn. Beginners welcome!

Use your journal to capture the delicate beauty of early June. Combining pen and watercolor, we will create impressions of the beautiful flowering trees and shrubs abundant in the Hollister ... Read more

'What's in Bloom'📸1:) A magnificent Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Album’ viewed from the Gray Garden📸2:) Peony season has ar...
06/03/2026

'What's in Bloom'

📸1:) A magnificent Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Album’ viewed from the Gray Garden
📸2:) Peony season has arrived!
📸3:) Cheerful Hemerocallis middendorffii along the Garden House Steps

Hollister House Garden Explorers is a series of Saturday morning activities that invite elementary-aged children and the...
06/02/2026

Hollister House Garden Explorers is a series of Saturday morning activities that invite elementary-aged children and their families to experience the summer garden.

Gardens are magical places that feed imagination and inspire wonder. Join us for a kid-friendly guided tour of Hollister House Garden, where we’ll explore some of our garden “rooms,” noticing features that make each space unique. Every garden room has its own mood. How does it make you feel? Is it peaceful, playful, cheerful, or maybe even a little mysterious?

Then, inspired by our walk, we’ll head to the barn for a hands-on art activity with Kent Curiosity Lab. Using natural materials and plenty of imagination, children and families will create their own miniature fairy gardens—designing tiny spaces with moods of their own.

This program is offered free of charge, but advanced registration is required. As space is limited, please let us know 48 hours in advance if your plans change so we may offer your spot to a family on our waitlist. Please note that a caregiver must be present for the duration of the program.

Learn more and register: https://hollisterhousegarden.org/event/hhg-explorers-garden-rooms-and-fairy-houses/

Classic Iris sibirica beginning to bloom in the Walled Garden.
05/30/2026

Classic Iris sibirica beginning to bloom in the Walled Garden.

Eye-catching Euphorbia griffithii in the Walled Garden.
05/29/2026

Eye-catching Euphorbia griffithii in the Walled Garden.

'What's in Bloom'📸1:) Magnolia ’Sunsation’ in all its glory outside the Poet’s Garden📸2:) Paeonia suffruticosa quietly b...
05/27/2026

'What's in Bloom'

📸1:) Magnolia ’Sunsation’ in all its glory outside the Poet’s Garden
📸2:) Paeonia suffruticosa quietly blooming in the Long Border
📸3:) Rosa hugonis arching beautiful blossoms on the Main Lawn Path

Address

300 Nettleton Hollow Road
Washington, CT
06793

Opening Hours

Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+18608682200

Website

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