|
|
In the Garden with George
Dear Friends,
To mark the 11th year of welcoming visitors, the garden opens a little earlier than usual this spring, on the 28th and 29th of April, just in time for the daffodils to be out in full force along with hellebores and early tulips. Daffodil season is a particularly lovely time in the garden, and I encourage you to visit on these early spring days and then return a few weeks later when the forget-me-nots and late tulips take over, another particularly beautiful moment.
Visitors this season will find an updated brochure with the new, meticulously rendered garden map shown below. Created by local artist Philip Stone, the map includes the newer sections of the garden as well as an exciting project that will be underway this year: On the opposite shore of the long pond at the bottom of the garden, we are creating a winding path that leads from the bridge all along the water's edge; it will allow visitors to look back across the pond at the garden from entirely new vantage points as they wend their way through meadow grass and wildflowers. Sincere thanks to Phil for the generous gift of his artwork.
|
|
|
New This Year: Lectures, Workshops, and Demonstrations
The 2017 season promises to be exciting and enjoyable in many ways. With a new, indoor venue made possible by the recent renovation of our 18th century barn, we can begin to fulfill our goal of making Hollister House Garden a place that inspires and teaches others, and to that end we have scheduled a selection of demonstrations, lectures, and workshops throughout the season. A complete list and registration information can be found here, on our website.
I look forward to seeing you in 2017 for another exciting season at Hollister House Garden.
|
|
George Schoellkopf
P.S. Keep Scrolling: Updates and information about the Board, membership, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events (including Garden Study Weekend VII) are below.
|
|
|
Hollister House Garden is governed by a Board of Directors; all are garden enthusiasts, many are professionals in the garden world, all serve as volunteers. This year we welcome three new members while three former members assume new roles on our Special Advisory Board. It is my pleasure to introduce them (full bios are here, on our website):
New Board Members
A Connecticut Master Gardener, Dwight Keeney is a retired corporate communications executive who is particularly involved with the public programming at HHG. He is currently participating in the restoration and maintenance of an historic garden in Torrington.
Cynthia Newby is the president of Chestnut Hill Enterprises, Inc., a college textbook development company. A resident of Roxbury, where she chairs the public library board, she nurtures a lush, imaginative, and now mature garden in what was once an empty field around a new house.
Bunny Williams is a renowned interior and home furnishings designer, author, and gardener who often opens her large and lovely garden in nearby Falls Village for Garden Conservancy Open Days. She serves as honorary chair of Trade Secrets, a must-attend local annual garden market and tour benefit, and is noted for her generosity to the community.
Special Advisory Board
Composed of retired members of the Board of Directors who wish to remain connected with HHG, the advisory board offers advice and expertise when needed. We are pleased to welcome Betsy Manning, Marco Polo Stufano, and Steven Orr, all of whom have made extraordinary contributions to the garden and are owed a great debt of thanks.
|
|
|
Give a Membership to a Friend or Yourself
Members of the Hollister House Garden Circle of Friends enjoy a variety of benefits, including unlimited entry to the Garden during open hours, free or reduced admission to our special events and reciprocal admission privileges at over 300 public gardens nationwide through AHS (American Horticultural Society ) . The Circle of Friends helps to support the garden, and membership brings many hours of pleasure to those who join. Click here for the details—the garden season is upon us and this is a thoughtful gift any local or traveling gardener will appreciate.
Volunteer
If you live nearby, consider spending a few hours a month greeting visitors during our regular open hours or helping out with one of our special events. You'll see the garden in all its stages of beauty, learn more about it from George, and enjoy chatting with people who come from near and far. To learn more about volunteering, join us in the barn for an informational gathering and preseason tour on Saturday, April 22, at 10 a.m.: RSVP here
|
|
Our 11th Season Has Much to Offer
From May through September you will have opportunities to enjoy the garden in many ways. Join us for Music for the Summer Solstice, Twilight in the Garden, workshops, lectures, special plant sales, and of course, our invaluable Garden Study Weekend. Click here to learn the dates and details and make reservations.
|
|
|
Symposium: The Exuberant Garden
Sale of Rare & Unusual Plants
September 9–10, 2017
The day-long symposium features four speakers selected for their unique professional experience and perspective on garden design and culture. Following the symposium, attendees enjoy cocktails in the garden and early buying at the booths of numerous vendors specializing in rare and unusual plants (the plant sale is open to the public as well as GSW ticket holders on Sunday). On Sunday, the Garden Conservancy Open Days program features rarely opened local gardens. Complete information and reservations may be found on our website .
|
|
|
Speaking at the Symposium will be Dutch landscape designer Jacqueline van der Kloet; Tom Coward, head gardener at England's Gravetye Manor; garden writer Jane Garmey; and magnolia aficionado Andrew Bunting of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Shown above, Magnolia hybrid 'Sunsation' is among the wonderful array of magnolias at HHG: Be on the lookout for them throughout the season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
