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.

Afternoon light moving through the Poet’s Garden.
09/05/2026

Afternoon light moving through the Poet’s Garden.

Verbena bonariensis attracting precious monarchs to the Poet’s Garden.
09/04/2026

Verbena bonariensis attracting precious monarchs to the Poet’s Garden.

Gardens invite us to slow down, clear our minds, and reconnect with the beauty of the natural world. In this two-hour wo...
09/03/2026

Gardens invite us to slow down, clear our minds, and reconnect with the beauty of the natural world. In this two-hour workshop, participants will explore the garden as a metaphor for our lives and as a place of renewal.

Buddhist priest Brian Vaugh and Woodbury poet laureate emerita Sandy Carlson will lead guided meditations and share poems designed to inspire personal reflection. Participants will also have time to explore the garden rooms and find a quiet place for individual meditation.

The workshop concludes with an opportunity to share reflections with the group. No previous meditation experience is necessary, and no special equipment is required.

Come prepared to pause, listen, and experience the garden—and yourself—with renewed attention. Register here: https://hollisterhousegarden.org/event/meditation-workshop-gardens-as-metaphors/

Gardens invite us to slow down, clear our minds, and reconnect with the beauty of the natural world. In this two-hour workshop, participants will explore the garden as a metaphor ... Read more

'What's in Bloom'📸1): Hemerocallis ‘Princess Irene’ continues to charm along the Cobble Walk📸2): Anemone tomentosa ‘Robu...
09/02/2026

'What's in Bloom'

📸1): Hemerocallis ‘Princess Irene’ continues to charm along the Cobble Walk
📸2): Anemone tomentosa ‘Robustissima’ catching the breeze in the Long Border
📸3): The striking blossoms of Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Blue River II’ in the Walled Garden

The gardens of The Met Cloisters serve as a place of profound refreshment, curiosity, and wonder. In this lecture, Carly...
09/01/2026

The gardens of The Met Cloisters serve as a place of profound refreshment, curiosity, and wonder. In this lecture, Carly Still explores the distinct inspiration behind each of the three interior cloister gardens and the unique stories they tell.

The presentation will dive into the essential role of herbs in the Middle Ages, sharing the tantalizing lore and medieval uses of plants that remain treasures in our own herb gardens today.

Carly will also highlight the intersection of the museum's permanent collection and its living collection, showing how masterworks of art are brought to life through the flora surrounding them.

Come be transported into the evocative world of The Cloisters.

Learn more and register: https://hollisterhousegarden.org/event/gardens-as-stories-the-met-cloisters-gardens/

Join us at Hollister House Garden on September 19 for an illustrated lecture with Carly Still, Managing Horticulturist at The Met Cloisters.

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/

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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