In the rolling hills of northwestern Connecticut, a remarkable garden has taken root, blending the timeless elegance of English gardens with a distinctly American flair. This is Hollister House Garden, the brainchild of visionary designer George Schoellkopf, who has spent decades crafting a verdant oasis that has become a must-visit destination for garden enthusiasts worldwide.
From the Cotswolds to Connecticut
Schoellkopf's journey to creating Hollister House Garden began in 1979 when he returned from a trip to England, inspired by the grand manor houses and lush, meticulously designed gardens he had encountered. Instead of a sprawling estate, his canvas was a modest 18th-century farmhouse nestled in the hills of Connecticut. But what Hollister House lacked in grandeur, it more than made up for in potential.
Schoellkopf set out to transform the property into an American interpretation of the classic English garden, blending formal structures with an informal, almost wild planting style. Over the decades, he has carefully curated a series of "room-like" spaces, each with its own distinct character, united by a cohesive design vision.
Marrying the Formal and the Informal
The key to Hollister House Garden's enduring appeal lies in the masterful way Schoellkopf has balanced the formal and the informal. Meticulously trimmed hedges and precisely laid pathways create a sense of order and structure, while the exuberant, almost untamed plantings spill over the edges, adding a touch of whimsy and natural beauty.
"What this really means is that Schoellkopf has found a way to capture the essence of those grand English gardens," says Margaret Roach, a longtime visitor to Hollister House. "He's taken that sense of enclosure and safety, but infused it with an American spirit of experimentation and a willingness to let nature take the lead."
A Destination for Inspiration
Today, Hollister House Garden has become a true destination, drawing visitors from far and wide to experience its unique blend of formality and informality. The garden also serves as the backdrop for a rich educational program, with speakers and workshops covering topics ranging from native plant conservation to the history of grand estates.
The bigger picture here is that Hollister House Garden represents a triumph of vision and perseverance. Schoellkopf's decades-long effort to create a truly iconic American garden has paid off, inspiring gardeners and designers alike to push the boundaries of what's possible. As the Garden Conservancy notes, "Hollister House is a romantic country garden...marrying the formal with the informal, the best of 20th century English gardens with an 18th-century New England farmstead."