Spring cleaning in the garden is crucial to get shrubs and herbaceous borders looking their best and to prepare vegetable and herb beds for a bountiful year. Daryl Beyers will review a checklist of earth-friendly gardening tasks to be performed during spring maintenance based on the key elements of soil, trees and shrubs, herbaceous perennials, vegetables ... Read more
Understanding and applying just a few key principles of composition will bring strength, balance and the “wow” factor to your artwork in any medium. We will explore a range of basic principles and techniques through observation of Great Masters’ works of art and a variety of short exercises in pencil. These exercises include: focal point, ... Read more
Are you planning to make a garden? Before you do anything let Page Dickey illustrate and discuss some key elements to consider: connecting the garden to the house deciding on a style - formal or informal, prim or wild the importance of paths and routes terraces and hardscaping (brick, gravel, stone) establishing bones (trees, shrubs ... Read more
Adam Wheeler of Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden, Connecticut will share knowledge of trees, shrubs and conifers that are often overlooked by gardeners and landscape designers when planning gardens. This expert plantsman will present creative and unique approaches to using these plants. Gain insight into the development of unusual plants, the value and use of foliage ... Read more
Robert Clyde Anderson returns to Hollister House Garden to share his methods for the technique of Matrix planting. If you haven't heard about matrix planting, you will soon. Essentially the planting of three to five equally competitive plants that are vigorous enough to act as a "living mulch" to provide weed suppression and moisture retention around ... Read more
Careful observation of all the subtle hues and values in nature helps in creating accurate, colorful and unique paintings. Using watercolor in a series of exercises, learn to mix and match these subtle earth tones found in a variety of leaves, petals and other treasures of the garden. The watercolor workshops at Hollister House Garden ... Read more
Join Frances Palmer as she discusses the links between her exquisite pottery and the beautiful flowers that she grows just outside her studio in two bountiful cutting gardens. The planting of both gardens has been organized for seasonal blooms beginning in early spring and continuing through to the last chrysanthemums in November. In this illustrated ... Read more
As part of their Music in Great Spaces series the Waterbury Symphony presents The Sweet Sounds of Spring with Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet. This concert will take place in the barn at Hollister House Garden. Seating is limited and advance purchase is required. Masks required in the barn. Additional information and reservations here
Over the past sixteen years Juliet and John Hubbard have created an enchanting cottage garden around the colonial house that has been in the Hubbard family for over 100 years. Local scenery frames a series of perennial and vegetable gardens which are formal in composition but softened by the informal planting of old-fashioned roses, peonies, ... Read more
Nearly all smartphones/tablets offer simple-to-use, professional-level camera systems. Go beyond the basics of your device’s camera, and learn how to integrate these controls and create images of your garden, house, and landscapes. Taught by our highly experienced instructor and professional photographer Thad Kubis, this class will provide a hands-on, application-based introduction to composition, editing, posting, ... Read more
Every year we invite members of the Hollister House Garden Circle of Friends to enjoy a private visit to an extraordinary garden rarely open to the public.This year we are fortunate to be visiting Coltsfoot Garden in Cornwall. Over the past 16 years Juliet and John Hubbard have created an enchanting cottage garden around the ... Read more
Hollister House Garden offers many creative photographic opportunities for knowledgeable users of smartphone/tablet cameras. This detailed class, taught by Thad Kubis, will begin with an overview of basic camera systems operations, and will address a range of desired creative techniques including: macro, depth of field, direct and indirect lighting, compositional landscape and how to enhance ... Read more
Iris takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, which possibly refers to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. Using layers of light transparent washes with step-by-step demonstrations, learn to portray the many hues and diaphanous qualities of this much-loved flower. The watercolor workshops at Hollister House Garden ... Read more
From farm to table to beautiful art, the unexpected and familiar shapes of the summer harvest are a feast for the senses. We will select from the greenmarket the best of vine, tree and soil as inspiration for our color pencil illustrations. Join us as you learn how to translate these delicious local seasonal fruits ... Read more
This workshop will explore the joys of creating a seasonal floral design foraged from one's own garden, the fields and woods. Horticulturalist and landscape designer Deborah Munson will begin by introducing you to her work and reviewing the tools of the trade. She wil then lead a walk through Hollister House Garden discussing floral design, ... Read more
This class will focus on providing a detailed introduction to different approaches to floral still life photography. Participants will learn to enhance image drama and depth through the interplay of light, shadow and compositional techniques. After a practical overview and demonstrations, participants will experiment with a variety of setups, lighting conditions and subjects. There will ... Read more
Enjoy a peaceful, stress-free day and create a simple summer wildflower bouquet painting using a variety of watercolor techniques including masking, wet washes, dry brush and charging color. We’ll use local colorful plant material of the season. With demonstrations and a step-by-step approach this workshop is open to all skill levels. The watercolor workshops at ... Read more
Autumn in New England is rightfully celebrated for its colorful foliage. But it's the bright, varied and colorful dahlias that capture our imagination as summer ends and provide us with a rich and vibrant palette. These glorious blooms are the subject of this colored pencil workshop. Come and learn how to use color pencil techniques ... Read more
A Day Dedicated to Plants and Gardeners! On Sunday, September 12, Hollister House Garden welcomes gardeners and garden lovers for a day of learning about plants from three extraordinary gardeners, buying plants from many of the premier nurseries in New England, and connecting with old friends. The day begins at noon with early buying at ... Read more
As summer fades into fall we have invited some of the premier growers in New England to set up shop at Hollister House Garden. This is a special opportunity to purchase choice plants from Broken Arrow Nursery, David Burdick Bulbs, Cricket Hill Garden, Falls Village Flower Farm, Issima and Mc Cue Gardens. Enjoy a glass ... Read more
Get a head start on your best garden ever by taking care of it now! Daryl Beyers returns to Hollister House Garden to share his expertise on what you can do this fall to ensure a healthy garden next spring. Learn techniques to improve soil quality, protect perennials and shrubs through the winter, provide winter ... Read more
In our backyards invasive plant species alter the ecosystem by crowding out our native plants that support pollinators and birds. Christian Allyn will share solutions to help us identify and remove these unwanted troublesome invaders. He will take a close look at the characteristics of five of the worst offenders in our region and give ... Read more
From snowdrops to alliums, spring bulbs can enliven your garden, adding interest and splashes of color while taking little room. In this illustrated lecture Page will show and describe a succession of bulbs, some well loved, others little known, to consider and successfully plant.Page Dickey is a garden writer, lecturer, and designer. Her latest book, ... Read more
Learn to grow the best tasting vegetables and the most fragrant flowers for next years’ garden! Get a head start planning next years’ garden and take home fresh ideas for designing your kitchen garden, featuring Ellen’s six steps to an heirloom garden. Discover what vegetables to grow for the best flavor and what flowers for ... Read more
Create a “gift from the heart” with this simple watercolor painting of holiday favorites. Just in time for gift-giving or a holiday card! All skill levels welcome in this workshop filled with step-by-step demonstrations and plenty of individual instruction. The watercolor workshops at Hollister House Garden are taught by Betsy Rogers-Knox. Betsy received a Certificate ... Read more
‘It woke me up,’ says Thomas Rainer, writing about Federal Twist in the Foreword to James Golden’s new book, The View from Federal Twist. Making his garden woke Golden up too. The site was terrible—a waste of derelict woodland, shade, and heavy, wet clay. As Golden thought his way through the constraints of the place, ... Read more
No one is born a gardener, but everyone was born to garden. Learn the Hows and the Whys – the proven science – that make a garden thrive. This weekend of intensive garden education, based on instructor Daryl Beyers’ book, The New Gardener’s Handbook, includes classroom lectures, hands-on projects, and a field trip to a ... Read more
The garden opens for the season on Friday, April 22, 2022 Visiting hours for the 2022 season: Wednesdays and Fridays 1-4 Saturdays 10-4
Flowers, ethereal by nature, are fleeting moments in a garden. Achieve season-long interest by combining plants through form, texture, structure, colors and patterns, with flowers as the "icing on the cake." Join landscape designer Richard Rosiello for an illustrated discussion of the most successful combinations of perennial plants. Richard Rosiello is the owner of Rosiello ... Read more
Tulips welcome us into spring with their abundant colors, shapes and sizes. With step-by-step demonstrations, learn how to portray these early flowers using a variety of watercolor techniques. Practice layering washes of light transparent color and adding detail with dry brush. The watercolor workshops at Hollister House Garden are taught by Betsy Rogers-Knox. Betsy received ... Read more
Edible landscapes promise to nourish the mind, body, and ecology. This talk will inspire those interested in creating unique and functional edible landscapes in New England's climate. Learn how to grow old favorites like heirloom apples and historic pears, as well as new and exciting native fruit trees such as the pawpaw and persimmon. Whether ... Read more
Gardening is good for the soul, and like any physical activity, it can leave your body sore. Adding regular yoga sessions helps build strength in the most-used areas, develop mindfulness of the body to prevent injury, and release tension — especially in the neck, shoulders, wrists, hips, and back. This all-level class provide the routine ... Read more
Since the early 1990s, Amy Ziffer has been experimenting to find the best shade-adapted plants for the Northeast. Shade Revealed, a talk abundantly illustrated with beautiful photography, focuses on what makes some shade plants better performers than others. She also presents a clear approach to designing your shade garden for the best chances of long-term ... Read more
Learn how to set up and use a garden journal to capture the ever-changing beauty in your garden, as well as other natural habitats you may visit throughout the year. Class demonstrations will provide plenty of drawing and watercolor tips both inside and outside in the garden. Explore the many interesting botanical choices that the ... Read more
Leslie Needham’s twenty-year journey at River Hills, the 1780s house and property she and her husband John have restored in Bedford, NY, has been rooted in respect for history. Yet her focus has not been on freezing time or re-creating a historic homestead. Instead, she has strived to reveal timeless beauty by taking cues from ... Read more
Contained plantings offer the opportunity to introduce focal points of foliage and flowers where there is no ground space, and are particularly useful around a pool, on a terrace, or flanking an entranceway. Interest in potted plantings remains strong even after many years of popularity, but choosing an appropriate container, assembling beautiful and compatible combinations, ... Read more
Gardening is good for the soul, and like any physical activity, it can leave your body sore. Adding regular yoga sessions can help build strength in your body's most-used areas, develop mindfulness of the body to prevent injury, and release tension — especially in the neck, shoulders, wrists, hips, and back. This class provides the ... Read more
Beginning Thursday, June 2 and continuing through the month of August, Hollister House Garden welcomes our friends and neighbors to enjoy the garden as day fades into evening. On Thursday evenings only picnicking is permitted on the main lawn. Before you come please review our picnicking guidelines. Admission $5 per person
Peonies, these much-anticipated flowers, evolve from tight spheres to large blousy blooms in no time. In this workshop we will capture the stages of these flowers from bud to blossom using colored pencil. Suitable for the beginner or advanced artist. Jeanne Reiner is co-founder of the Tri-State Botanical Artists, a chapter of over 70 members ... Read more
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 and delight in the intimate outdoor spaces, bordered by dramatic hedges and overflowing with exuberant plantings. A perfect start to a summer ... Read more
A Day Dedicated to Families! On Sunday, June 5, Hollister House Garden welcomes children, parents, grandparents and other family members for a day of learning and fun! The day begins at 1:00 pm with refreshments and a botanical-themed scavenger hunt to help guide children and caregivers through the garden. Gunn Memorial Library will present two ... Read more
Every year we invite members of the Hollister House Garden Circle of Friends to enjoy a private visit to an extraordinary garden rarely open to the public.This year we are fortunate to be visiting River Hills in Bedford, NY, home of landscape designer Leslie Needham and her husband John. The garden visit will take place ... Read more
Magical and simple cyanotypes are a camera -ess technique that results in graphic blue and white prints. This alternative photographic process was developed in 1852 and uses the chemicals ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide (both non-toxic) to create a light-sensitive solution. In this workshop, participants will use plants and leaves to create a photographic ... Read more
If you hope to create better images of your garden, house and property, this photography workshop is for you. Nearly all smartphones/tablets offer simple-to-use, professional-level camera systems. Go beyond the basics of your device’s camera, and learn how to integrate these controls and create unique and beautiful photographs. Taught by highly experienced instructor and professional ... Read more
