Hollister House Garden

Volunteer Information Session
2023-04-01 16:00 UTC | CT
As a small not-for-profit organization, Hollister House Garden relies upon the time, energy and expertise of our team of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers play a key role in our mission to engage our community by ensuring that all garden visitors and everyone attending our events is made to feel welcome.
Click here to read about the specific opportunities available and complete the required form if you would like to learn more about becoming a part of our team.

Visit to a Private Garden - exclusively for Hollister House Garden members
2025-07-17 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | CT
In 1982, Lynden Miller rescued and restored The Conservatory Garden in Central Park. Based on her belief that good public open spaces can change city life, she has designed many other gardens and parks in New York City since that time. Her most recent project was the beautiful restoration of the 70th Street Garden at the Frick Museum.
But before Lynden tackled the public gardens of New York, she transformed her own landscape in Sharon. Her private garden clearly demonstrates her artistry and keen eye for color, texture and structure. It features mixed herbaceous borders of perennials and shrubs deftly composed to create brushstrokes of hues backed by a yew hedge. There is a daylily walk, a flowering meadow with paths mowed, a woodland garden, a raised herb garden and a cottage garden for unusual plants.
Lynden is also the author of Parks, Plants and People: Beautifying the Urban Landscape, published by Norton in 2009. The book was the winner of American Horticultural Society 2010 National Book Award.
Following our garden visit we will enjoy lunch at Le Gamin in Sharon.
Address and parking instructions will be sent to registered participants one week prior to the visit.
SOLD OUT

ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
2025-08-27 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Beginning Wednesday, June 4 and continuing every Wednesday through August 27 ,Hollister House Garden welcomes artists and photographers to come and be inspired by the beauty and peace of the morning garden.
Registration is not required.
HHG members are always free
Non-members $10 each (honor box in the welcome shed)

Garden Study Weekend Symposium
2025-09-06 08:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Heritage Hotel, 522 Heritage Rd, Southbury, CT, 06488, United States
Hollister House Garden Study Weekend brings together some of the most important voices at work today in the fields of horticulture and garden design for a weekend of learning, inspiration, and networking. This year we are honored to welcome another extraordinary panel of speakers.

THE GARDEN PARTY
2025-09-06 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
As day fades into evening, friends and neighbors are invited to support the garden while enjoying cocktails, hors-d’oeurves, music by the Gene Bozzi Quartet, an extraordinary silent auction and spectacular plants from Broken Arrow Nursery and Cricket Hill Garden.

Visit 5 Beautiful Litchfield County Gardens
2025-09-07 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | CT
Visitors will enjoy an opportunity to visit 4 of our area’s most beautiful private gardens as well as Hollister House Garden.
Advance Reservations for all 5 gardens $40
Visit individually on the day of the tour $10 per person each garden (cash only)
The Meraki Food Truck will be at Hollister House Garden with food available for purchase from 11:30 – 4:00
Restroom facilities are available at Hollister House Garden
RESERVATIONS

The Elegant and Edible Garden: Designing a Potager Livestream Presentation
2026-03-05 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Explore the French tradition of the potager—artful kitchen gardens where colorful flowers, fruits, vegetables, and fragrant herbs grow side by side. Drawing from her award-winning book, The Elegant and Edible Garden, author Linda Vater guides you through the process of designing a kitchen garden that is as beautiful as it is productive.
At the heart of her approach is the principle that successful kitchen gardens begin not with plants, but with an honest assessment of time, lifestyle, space, and expectations. Let Linda show you how to identify your priorities and translate them into confident design decisions. Be inspired by a fabulous range of kitchen garden design options – from formal geometric layouts and raised beds to relaxed edible borders and patio containers. Learn to design a potager that is uniquely your own and a delight to both the eye and the palate.
Join the live-stream event for the chance to ask questions during the presentation. You will also receive a recording of the session to re-watch at home.
Hollister House Garden is grateful to Linda Vater for generously donating her time for this special event. Your registration fee supports the education programs at our non-profit organization.
Linda Vater is a garden designer, stylist, and author known for her thoughtful approach to garden design and garden-inspired living. Her own gardens have been featured in numerous national and regional publications. She is the author of the award-winning The Elegant and Edible Garden: Design a Dream Kitchen Garden to Fit Your Personality, Desires, and Lifestyle, and The Garden Journal. Her most recent book, A Year of Garden-Inspired Living: Season by Season, offers readers creative ideas for connecting with their gardens and with each other. Linda writes and produces garden content for television, magazines, social media, and her own website LindaVater.com.
All Participants $25
REGISTRATION

Volunteer Information Session
2026-03-26 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Join the Hollister House Garden Volunteer Team!
As a small not-for-profit organization, Hollister House relies upon the time, energy and expertise of our team of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers play a key role in our mission to engage our community by ensuring that all garden visitors and everyone attending our events is made to feel welcome and informed.
If you have not previously volunteered at Hollister House Garden please read about the specific opportunities available and fill out and submit the form at the bottom of this page to learn more about becoming a part of our team by attending an information session.
Garden Docents
Garden docents serve as the primary point of contact with our visitors during our open hours. Docents either staff the welcome shed or remain in the garden to greet our guests, answer questions and ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for everyone. An interest in gardening and general knowledge of horticulture is highly beneficial but not required. All volunteers receive annual training on information specific to Hollister House Garden. The 2026 training session will take place on Saturday, April 11 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm. and begin with a tour of the garden.
Barn Talk Volunteers
During the spring and fall, Hollister House offers a series of horticultural lectures on Saturday mornings. Volunteers manage guest check in and answer visitor questions. No prior experience required.
Special Event Volunteers
Throughout the season Hollister House Garden hosts special events such as Evening in the Garden, and Garden Study Weekend including an annual cocktail party, silent auction and garden tours in early September. Special event volunteers will help manage check in and collect payment among other duties. They may also assist with set up and break down for events, which requires some light physical activity.
Special Project Volunteers
Hollister House welcomes the opportunity to put volunteers unique talents and professional experiences to use in special projects. Please be sure to make note of any special skills you would like to contribute when you complete the volunteer form. If there is an upcoming project that would be a good fit for a volunteer’s background and experience, our team will be in touch.
Learn about volunteering at Hollister House Garden by attending one of the following information sessions:
Thursday, March 26 4:30- 6:00 pm
Saturday, March 28 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Questions? email linda@hollisterhousegarden.org

Volunteer Sign Up

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Garden Docent

Barn Talk Volunteer

Special Event Volunteer
Tell us why you are interested in volunteering at Hollister House Garden?(Required)If you are interested in being a docent, please tell us about your gardening experience(Required)Do you have any unique skills or interests that you would like to share with us?Which information session do you plan to attend?(Required)Thursday, March 26 4:30 - 6:00 pmSaturday, March 28 1:00- 2:30 pmBy checking this box, I acknowledge that I am at least 18 years of age and able to attend and complete volunteer orientation and training. Training for new and returning volunteers is April 11(Required)

I understand the above information.

Volunteer Information Session
2026-03-28 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Join the Hollister House Garden Volunteer Team!
As a small not-for-profit organization, Hollister House relies upon the time, energy and expertise of our team of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers play a key role in our mission to engage our community by ensuring that all garden visitors and everyone attending our events is made to feel welcome and informed.
If you have not previously volunteered at Hollister House Garden please read about the specific opportunities available and fill out and submit the form at the bottom of this page to learn more about becoming a part of our team by attending an information session.
Garden Docents
Garden docents serve as the primary point of contact with our visitors during our open hours. Docents either staff the welcome shed or remain in the garden to greet our guests, answer questions and ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for everyone. An interest in gardening and general knowledge of horticulture is highly beneficial but not required. All volunteers receive annual training on information specific to Hollister House Garden. The 2026 training session will take place on Saturday, April 11 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm. and begin with a tour of the garden.
Barn Talk Volunteers
During the spring and fall, Hollister House offers a series of horticultural lectures on Saturday mornings. Volunteers manage guest check in and answer visitor questions. No prior experience required.
Special Event Volunteers
Throughout the season Hollister House Garden hosts special events such as Evening in the Garden, and Garden Study Weekend including an annual cocktail party, silent auction and garden tours in early September. Special event volunteers will help manage check in and collect payment among other duties. They may also assist with set up and break down for events, which requires some light physical activity.
Special Project Volunteers
Hollister House welcomes the opportunity to put volunteers unique talents and professional experiences to use in special projects. Please be sure to make note of any special skills you would like to contribute when you complete the volunteer form. If there is an upcoming project that would be a good fit for a volunteer’s background and experience, our team will be in touch.
Learn about volunteering at Hollister House Garden by attending one of the following information sessions:
Thursday, March 26 4:30- 6:00 pm
Saturday, March 28 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Questions? email linda@hollisterhousegarden.org

Volunteer Sign Up

PhoneThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name(Required)Last Name(Required)Email(Required)Phone(Required)Address(Required)

Street Address

City

AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific
State

ZIP Code

Tell us the type of volunteer work that interests you.(Required)

Garden Docent

Barn Talk Volunteer

Special Event Volunteer
Tell us why you are interested in volunteering at Hollister House Garden?(Required)If you are interested in being a docent, please tell us about your gardening experience(Required)Do you have any unique skills or interests that you would like to share with us?Which information session do you plan to attend?(Required)Thursday, March 26 4:30 - 6:00 pmSaturday, March 28 1:00- 2:30 pmBy checking this box, I acknowledge that I am at least 18 years of age and able to attend and complete volunteer orientation and training. Training for new and returning volunteers is April 11(Required)

I understand the above information.

A Garden in Dialogue: Place and Practice
2026-04-11 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
This event is sold out.
The 2026 Barn Talk season proudly opens with Bedford, NY-based landscape designer Leslie Needham, who invites us to embrace garden design as a continuous conversation. Every garden speaks through materials, familiar forms, and seasonal rhythm. Drawing from years of hands-on experience, Leslie will explore ways designers and gardeners can thoughtfully respond to place, sharing easy design strategies that bring clarity and intention to nature-inspired gardens. Join us and discover how loosening the pursuit of perfection can open space for joy, adaptability, and a deeper relationship with our gardens and surrounding landscape.
Leslie Needham is a gardener, landscape designer, writer, and lecturer whose work is grounded in sustainable, place-based design. Her home landscape, River Hills, was selected for the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Living, The New York Times, and Gardenista, and she has been a guest on Margaret Roach’s podcast, A Way to Garden. She is the founder and principal of Leslie Needham Design, a landscape design firm based in Bedford, New York.
HHG Members $30
Non-members $40 (includes admission to the garden)
Registration is full for this event.

Opening Day
2026-04-15 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Hollister House Garden opens for the season today. We hope you will plan a visit soon!
Opening hours
Wednesday 1-4
Friday 1-4
Saturday 10-4

Signs of Spring: Connecticut's Ephemerals and Early Risers
2026-04-18 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
The first signs of spring appear in forms both subtle and spectacular. While the horticultural industry highlights familiar favorites like crocuses, snowdrops, and daffodils, it is our native flora that truly reveal the start of spring in Connecticut. Join field botanist Heather Liljengren for an engaging introduction to our local early risers – the enchanting native ephemerals, graceful sedges and flowering trees that are our true harbingers of spring. Learn what signs to look for on your own walks and woodland explorations as our New England landscape begins to wake up.
Heather Liljengren is the owner of LocalLand Consulting LLC and has over 17 years of professional experience botanizing throughout the Mid-Atlantic and New England. She works closely with land trusts, farmers, landscape design firms, and homeowners to support the management, conservation, and restoration of native flora and regional habitats. Her extensive knowledge of local plant communities is grounded in her experience managing native seed collection programs for government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
HHG Members $30
Non-members $40 (includes admission to the garden)
REGISTRATION

Early Spring Bulbs: A Watercolor Workshop
2026-04-24 10:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Enjoy a creative day using watercolors to capture the beauty of early spring bulbs. After a gentle walk through Hollister House Garden to observe color and form, you’ll return to the barn to create a watercolor garden vignette. Then, personalize your painting by adding an array of individual flowers – drawn from your own observations – to frame the vignette. Watercolorist Betsy Rogers-Knox will guide the group with a step-by-step demonstration and offer personal support throughout the day. All skill levels are welcome.
Bring a bag lunch. Water and snacks provided.
Materials List
Betsy Rogers-Knox is a botanical artist fascinated by the full lifecycle of plants and the ecosystems they inhabit. She holds a Certificate in Botanical Illustration from The New York Botanical Garden and her work has been exhibited widely across the U.S. and internationally. Examples include the ASBA International Exhibitions, NYBG Triennials, and the RHS Botanical Art Exhibit in London, where her paintings of Beckley Bog earned the Judges’ Special Award for their educational and ecological value. Betsy’s illustrations are held in the permanent collections of the RHS Lindley Library and the Hunt Institute.
HHG Members $90
Non-members $120
REGISTRATION

The Taste-full Garden: Outstanding Kitchen Garden Selections from White Flower Farm
2026-04-25 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
White Flower Farm Nursery Manager Barbara Pierson shares her favorite plant selections for today’s kitchen gardens. Drawing from the farm’s extensive trial gardens, Barb will spotlight outstanding edible varieties—including proven All-America Selections (AAS) winners—that deliver great flavor, high performance, and reliability. She’ll share practical, low-maintenance growing techniques, along with smart choices for small spaces and patio containers. Essential cultural basics will also be covered, including soil preparation, fertilizing, spacing, managing insects and disease, and knowing when and how to harvest for the best flavor. Along the way, you’ll discover creative ways to pair edibles with ornamentals to create beautiful, productive combinations that not only look great, but also attract pollinators and support a healthy garden ecosystem.
*White Flower Farm Plant Sale: To jump-start your garden, Barb will bring a hand-chosen selection of cool-season vegetable plants, available exclusively to attendees for purchase following the lecture.
Barbara Pierson is celebrating 26 years as Nursery Manager at White Flower Farm in Litchfield, CT. Her responsibilities include greenhouse production of hundreds of species of plants including vegetables. As Kitchen Garden trial manager, she grows dozens of new and heirloom vegetables assessing their performance for vigor, harvest and taste. In 2025, WFF became an All-American Selections trial garden further expanding the selection of seed varieties for both ornamentals and edibles. Barb heads up the biological control program at WFF, and all edibles are grown using natural methods. She is a graduate of Cornell University and grew up in a family greenhouse business. Her passions include the fascinating world of plants and mentoring future gardeners.
HHG Members $30
Non-members $40 (includes admission to the garden)
REGISTRATION

Skip the Mulch! Native Ground Cover Solutions
2026-05-02 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Say goodbye to boring mulch and hello to a living carpet of flowers and foliage! Let horticulturist Dr. Duncan Himmelman introduce you to a versatile mix of resilient native plants—and a few well-behaved exotics—that act as living mulch, nourishing soil, suppressing weeds, retaining moisture, and attracting wildlife. He’ll show you how to select and combine the right plants for sun or shade, dry or damp, and care for them in ways that will boost both the beauty and long-term health of your garden. Learn how to kick the mulch habit and embrace a better alternative.
Duncan Himmelman, PhD, earned his doctorate at Cornell University and taught horticultural science at the college level for 24 years. He later directed adult education programs at the New York Botanical Garden and Mt. Cuba Center, a public garden in Delaware dedicated to native plant conservation. In retirement, he continues to share his passion for plants through teaching, landscape design, and advocating for ecologically sustainable gardening practices.
HHG Members $30
Non-members $40 (includes admission to the garden)
RESERVATIONS

Mother's Day Bouquet Sale- SOLD OUT
2026-05-09 - 2026-05-10 | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
This Mother’s Day weekend, we are thrilled to offer farm-fresh bouquets of dazzling Double Tulips, grown and harvested by our friends at Meadow Rue Gardens in Litchfield, Connecticut. Double Tulips, also known as “Peony Tulips” are prized for their lush, multi-layered beauty. Each bouquet contains a generous mix of 15 Double Tulip stems, thoughtfully composed and wrapped in lavender tissue and craft paper. These unique bouquets are pre-order only, with pick-up on Saturday, May 9 or Sunday, May 10 from 1-4 pm. Quantities are limited. Order today!
Double Tulip Bouquet: $30.00
Bouquets are delivered to us fresh from the garden each day. Please specify your pick-up day when ordering.
Thank you everyone for your support. Bouquet sale is now SOLD OUT

Pressed Flower Cards and Journals- SOLD OUT
2026-05-09 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | CT
Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with a crafting workshop! Using a colorful selection of pressed plants and flowers, create a one-of-a-kind greeting card and journal, perfect for Mother’s Day gifts or meaningful keepsakes. Each student will create a 5×7 greeting card on high quality cardstock (envelope included) and decorate the hard cover of an unlined journal using decoupage techniques. Work at your own pace and enjoy the simple pleasure of crafting with high-quality botanical materials. Your instructor will be on hand to get you started and provide guidance along the way. No experience necessary and all materials are provided. Families with older children welcome. Come have fun crafting in the barn and leave with something handmade and heartfelt.
SOLD OUT

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Hollister House Garden
2026-05-10 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Join us on Sunday, May 10, for a special open day as Hollister House Garden honors mothers, grandmothers, and the mother figures in our lives. Stroll through blooming paths and take in the colors and scents of spring. Explore the different garden rooms, perfect for reflection, conversation, and capturing memories together. Free admission and thoughtful touches in the garden will make this day special for everyone in the family.

Secrets to a Successful Cutting Garden- Lecture and Book Signing
2026-05-16 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Ready to grow your own gorgeous bouquets? Let flower farmer Elizabeth Brown, author of the brand-new The Beginner’s Cut Flower Garden, show you how to plan, design and cultivate a joyful cutting garden. Learn to build a cohesive color palette that looks great in the garden and in the vase. Discover “cut-and-come-again” varieties that truly earn their keep. Find out how succession planting techniques can keep your buckets full of blooms all season long. Elizabeth will also share her favorite tips for growing healthier plants, making the most of small spaces, and creating sustainable flower arrangements right from your backyard. If you’ve ever dreamed of harvesting your own fresh flowers, this session is the perfect place to start. You’ll leave feeling excited—and ready—to grow a cutting garden of your own.
Following the presentation, enjoy light refreshments and meet Elizabeth as she signs copies of her new book. To be assured of a copy, we recommend purchasing one with your reservation.
Elizabeth Brown is the owner of Foxglove Farmhouse, a regenerative cut flower garden in coastal Maine that brings fresh blooms to the local community. She believes flowers have the power to heal, connect, and bring joy—often when we need it most. Through Foxglove Farmhouse, Elizabeth offers in-person workshops and virtual learning opportunities for beginner gardeners via her digital hub. A Maine Master Gardener volunteer and certified therapeutic horticulturist, she is the author of The Beginner’s Cut Flower Garden, newly published by Timber Press.
HHG Members $30
Non-members $40 (includes admission to the garden)
Book $28
RESERVATIONS

Better Together: Designing with Plant Combinations
2026-05-30 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Good design happens when individual elements come together to create something greater than the sum of their parts. Just as you coordinate clothing or pair food and wine for harmony and impact, thoughtful plant combinations can transform an ordinary garden into an unforgettable experience. In this lively session, we’ll explore how contrasting and complementary colors and textures create successful plant pairings. Learn how to use a gardener’s color wheel to build compositions that feel dynamic, intentional, and visually compelling all year long. Whether you’re working with containers, borders, or sweeping beds, expect to gain not only inspiration, but also clear, actionable tools for choosing plant partners that truly shine better together
Caitlin Bird Francke is the founder of Caitlin Bird Landscape Design, a full-service landscape design firm in Chatham, New Jersey. A former journalist and social media executive — twice nominated for Pulitzer Prizes — she discovered that her true joy comes from designing outdoor spaces, or as she puts it, creating happiness from the ground up. Trained at the New York Botanical Garden’s School of Professional Horticulture, Caitlin writes for Fine Gardening magazine and her work has been featured on Martha Stewart. But she doesn’t take it all too seriously: she wrote a ‘Tiny Love’ column for The New York Times about breaking up with a plant.
HHG Members $30
Non-members $40 (includes admission to the garden)
RESERVATIONS

Artists and Photographers
2026-06-03 09:00 - 2026-08-26 13:00 (America/New_York) | CT
Beginning Wednesday, June 3 and continuing every Wednesday through August 26, Hollister House Garden welcomes artists and photographers to come and be inspired by the beauty and peace of the morning garden.
Registration is not required.
HHG members are always free
Non-members $10 each (honor box in the welcome shed)

Garden Journaling: Flowering Trees and Shrubs
2026-06-05 10:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
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 House gardens. We’ll start with a lesson in the barn on journaling tips and techniques, followed by a slow meander through the gardens to observe and note different buds and flowers, adding to our journals along the way. Your instructor will provide plenty of drawing and watercolor tips, both inside the barn and outside in this beautiful garden setting. All skill levels are welcome, and beginners are encouraged to join!
Bring a bag lunch. Water and snacks provided.
Required Materials: Journal and pen. You may bring your own or purchase a set for $35 when you register. We suggest a Micron 01 or 02 pen. Please click below for details and a full list of recommended materials.
Journaling Materials List
Betsy Rogers-Knox is a botanical artist with a fascination for the full lifecycle of plants and the ecosystems they inhabit. She holds a Certificate in Botanical Illustration from The New York Botanical Garden and her work has been exhibited widely across the U.S. and internationally, including the ASBA International Exhibitions, NYBG Triennials, and the RHS Botanical Art Exhibit in London, where her paintings of Beckley Bog earned the Judges’ Special Award for their educational and ecological value. Betsy’s illustrations are held in the permanent collections of the RHS Lindley Library and the Hunt Institute.
HHG Members $90
Non-Members $120
Journal and Pen $35
REGISTRATION

EVENING IN THE GARDEN
2026-06-12 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | CT
As the light fades and day turns to evening, enjoy the company of friends and neighbors and see the beauty of the garden in a different light.
Come have a glass of wine in the barn. Then enjoy a walk in the garden where you will delight in the intimate outdoor spaces, bordered by dramatic hedges and overflowing with exuberant plantings.
A perfect start to a summer weekend.
This event will take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather we will enjoy wine in the barn!
RESERVATIONS
Pay at the door $25 per person (cash or check only).

Printing With the Sun: Full-Day Cyanotype Workshop and Book Launch
2026-06-13 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Join award-winning cyanotype artist Madge Evers for an exciting, full-day cyanotype workshop celebrating the release of her new book, Printing with the Sun. Cyanotype is a camera-less photographic technique for creating stunning art prints in dreamy shades of blue. You begin by coating high grade paper with a light-sensitive solution. Madge will show you how to work with patterns, layering and composition to create two original botanical prints. You will also get to try the wet cyanotype process—a playful, unpredictable variation that transforms classic Prussian blue into a range of rich, organic tones. After a break for lunch, learn to apply the cyanotype process to textiles! Madge will guide you through preparing and coating fabric and printing your designs. You’ll finish with an original cyanotype on a cotton tote bag—a functional, wearable piece of art to take home along with all your prints.
The workshop fee includes all materials. Bring a bag lunch. Water and plenty of snacks are provided. Madge will be happy to sign copies of Printing with the Sun, available for purchase at the workshop.
Madge Evers is a visual artist who uses alternative photography, mushroom spores, and painting to depict plants and imagined flora. Her work has been exhibited widely throughout the East Coast, and she has participated in artist residencies in New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Ireland. Evers lives and works in western Massachusetts and teaches workshops throughout the northeast. Her new book, Printing with the Sun: Capturing the Beauty of Nature with Cyanotypes, explores the cyanotype process, offering artistic inspiration as well as hands-on projects for developing printmaking skills.

HHG Members $130
Non-members $145
RESERVATIONS

Poetry Writing Workshop: What Words for Nature's Beauty?
2026-06-26 14:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | CT
With Hollister House Garden as a source of inspiration, Woodbury poet laureate emerita Sandy Carlson invites you to explore of the role of nature in poetry. Spend time exploring the garden rooms at Hollister House, observing, wandering, and writing as you feel inspired. Go where the Muse takes you- being as contemplative or as playful as you 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 while enjoying a beverage.
This workshop is for everyone who loves words and the natural world—no previous poetry or writing experience is required. Bring a notebook and your favorite pen or pencil.
Sandy Lee Carlson is a widely published poet, educator, and Poet Laureate Emerita of Woodbury. She founded the monthly open mic at Woodbury Public Library, and she organizes poetry events in Litchfield and New Haven counties. She edits and publishes poetry anthologies as managing partner of Orenaug Mountain Publishing and hosts the podcast People and Their Poems, featuring conversations with area poets about their work and the poems that have shaped people’s lives. Sandy teaches high school English in Litchfield. A Master Gardener, she spends her free time removing introduced plants wherever she finds them clogging the landscape. Learn more at sandycarlson.net.
HHG members: $30
Non-members: $35
RESERVATIONS

HHG Explorers: Garden Rooms and Fairy Houses
2026-06-27 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
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.
Kent Curiosity Lab is a non-profit organization offering children experiences that spark curiosity and ignite lifelong learning. Located in Kent, Connecticut, the organization provides high-quality enrichment programs that actively engage students in real world and personally meaningful activities and projects. By ensuring every child has access to these opportunities, they work to build a stronger, more vibrant community. Find out more at kentcuriositylab.org.
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.

Hollister House Garden Explorers - Garden Rooms & Fairy Houses

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Participants should meet in the barn before beginning the garden walk. Please arrive a few minutes early so the tour can start on-time.Parent or care-giver must be present for the entire event.(Required)

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EVENING IN THE GARDEN
2026-07-10 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | CT
As the light fades and day turns to evening, enjoy the company of friends and neighbors and see the beauty of the garden in a different light.
Come have a glass of wine in the barn. Then enjoy a walk in the garden where you will delight in the intimate outdoor spaces, bordered by dramatic hedges and overflowing with exuberant plantings.
A perfect start to a summer weekend.
This event will take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather we will enjoy wine in the barn!
RESERVATIONS
Reserve in advance: $20 per person
Pay at the door $25 per person (cash or check only).

HHG Explorers: Who Lives in the Garden?
2026-07-11 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | CT
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 aren’t just pretty places for humans to enjoy- they are also home to a variety of animals and insects that signal a healthy garden. Join us for a kid-friendly, guided walk to discover different habitats at Hollister House Garden- then have fun searching for our famous frogs in the reflecting pool! We will learn all about frogs- and other herps- when we head to the barn for an exciting nature program with White Memorial Conservation Center. Through up-close encounters with several live animals, families will learn about the characteristics, habitats, life cycles, and adaptations of various species of reptiles and amphibians throughout CT.
The White Memorial Conservation Center provides year-round environmental education programs for children and adults that inspire understanding, appreciation, and respect for the natural world. Created in 1913 by Alain C. White and his sister, May W. White, the Foundation and Center today comprise 4,000 acres of forest, fields and wetlands in the towns of Litchfield and Morris in northwestern Connecticut. Learn more at https://whitememorialcc.org
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 caregivers must be present for the duration of the program.

Hollister House Garden Explorers - Who Lives in the Garden?

URLThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name(Required)Last Name(Required)Email(Required)Phone(Required)Number of children planning to attendName and age of each child(Required)Hollister House Garden plans to take photographs during this event.(Required)

I understand the above information.

Participants should meet in the barn before beginning the garden walk. Please arrive a few minutes early so the tour can start on-time.Parent or care-giver must be present for the entire event.(Required)

I understand the above information.

HHG Explorers: Daylilies in the Garden
2026-08-01 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Hollister House Garden Explorers is a series of Saturday morning activities that invite elementary-aged children and their families to experience the summer garden.
Discover one of the garden’s favorite summer blooms as we celebrate the classic daylily! We begin with a family-friendly garden tour where we will take a special look at the life of this beautiful perennial. Children and their families will learn how daylilies grow and reproduce, examine their unique root structures, and admire how they are used in the garden. To inspire a lifelong love of gardening, each child will receive their own “double fan” daylily plant to take home and grow in their own garden.
Following the tour, the group will gather in the barn for a “Vintage Garden” art session led by Kristie Matuszewski of Find•Art Kids Studio in Litchfield. This creative project allows young artists to craft their own “hand-picked” bouquet of daylilies using paper and wood, finished with traditional wrapping and twine. To complete the vintage experience, each participant will color a canvas board “postcard” featuring intricate, garden-inspired insect themes. Learn more about the studio at kidsfindart.com.
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 caregivers must be present for the duration of the program.

Hollister House Garden Explorers - Daylilies

CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name(Required)Last Name(Required)Email(Required)Phone(Required)Number of children planning to attendName and age of each child(Required)Hollister House Garden plans to take photographs during this event.(Required)

I understand the above information.

Participants should meet in the barn before beginning the garden walk. Please arrive a few minutes early so the tour can start on-time.Parent or care-giver must be present for the entire event.(Required)

I understand the above information.

Garden Study Weekend 2026
2026-09-12 08:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Hollister House Garden Study Weekend brings together some of the most important voices at work today in the fields of horticulture and garden design for a weekend of learning, inspiration, and networking.
