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.

Late summer brings one of the richest color seasons at Hollister House Garden, as flowers, foliage, fruit, and seed comb...
08/31/2026

Late summer brings one of the richest color seasons at Hollister House Garden, as flowers, foliage, fruit, and seed combine in a complex and shifting palette.

In this full-day watercolor workshop, participants will study color relationships directly in the garden, then return to the barn to create a botanical color wheel.

Watercolorist Betsy Rogers-Knox will guide students through color mixing, transparent washes, and techniques for capturing subtle shifts in hue and value. Instruction is tailored to all experience levels.

This workshop uses watercolor as a tool for close observation, helping participants understand how color shapes mood, rhythm, and the experience of a garden. Each participant will leave with a painted botanical color wheel—a record of Hollister House Garden’s late-summer palette.

Learn more and register: https://hollisterhousegarden.org/event/watercolor-workshop-the-late-summer-palette/

View of the Cobble Walk.
08/29/2026

View of the Cobble Walk.

'What's in Bloom'📸1): Hydrangea paniculata is truly magnificent on the Main Lawn📸2): Beautiful drifts of Eupatorium alon...
08/26/2026

'What's in Bloom'

📸1): Hydrangea paniculata is truly magnificent on the Main Lawn
📸2): Beautiful drifts of Eupatorium along the Pond Walk
📸3): The intriguing Sanguisorba canadensis attracting bees to the Cobble Walk

You're invited to visit 4 extraordinary private gardens in Connecticut on September 13th from 10am-4pm, including Phil G...
08/26/2026

You're invited to visit 4 extraordinary private gardens in Connecticut on September 13th from 10am-4pm, including Phil Gorrivan's Garden in Washington, Maywood in Bridgewater, 101 Goldmine Gardens in Roxbury, and Hollister House Garden in Washington.

Visit all 4 Gardens for only $30.00. Individual tickets $10 per person may be purchased at each garden - CASH ONLY.

🌿LEARN MORE AND BUY TICKETS HERE: https://hollisterhousegarden.org/visit-4-beautiful-gardens-2026/

View from inside the Horse Court.
08/22/2026

View from inside the Horse Court.

Verbena bonariensis nourishing pollinators in the Poet’s Garden.
08/21/2026

Verbena bonariensis nourishing pollinators in the Poet’s Garden.

'What's in Bloom'1): A sweet blooming Hemerocallis attracting pollinators to the Horse Court2): The arresting blossoms o...
08/20/2026

'What's in Bloom'

1): A sweet blooming Hemerocallis attracting pollinators to the Horse Court
2): The arresting blossoms of Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Midnight Marvel’ in and around the Horse Court
3): Hemerocallis ‘Carol Sing’ in classic form just steps from the Main Lawn

A look inside the Walled Garden.
08/15/2026

A look inside the Walled Garden.

Enticing Phlox paniculata attracting pollinators throughout the garden.
08/14/2026

Enticing Phlox paniculata attracting pollinators throughout the garden.

'What's in Bloom'1): Taking flight in the Poet’s Garden2): Dahlia ‘Great White’ unfurling in the Walled Garden3): The lo...
08/12/2026

'What's in Bloom'

1): Taking flight in the Poet’s Garden
2): Dahlia ‘Great White’ unfurling in the Walled Garden
3): The lovely Hemerocallis ‘Princess Irene’ opening bud along the Cobble Walk

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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