Events by this organizer

Presented by: Thomas Christopher

Lawns have long been regarded as eco-villains, but a new generation of grasses and maintenance practices can produce a green lawn that is a contributor to biological diversity, resource sustainability, and carbon sequestration. These new lawns can contribute novel elements of beauty to the home landscape and require less mowing and fertilization. Over the past decade, horticulturist Tom Christopher has been working to return the American lawn to a more environmentally healthy condition. Join him for a tour of these new alternatives – this grass is greener.

HHG Members: $30

Non-Members: $40 (includes admission to the garden)

Their height, depth and color add so much visual interest to a landscape. Yet vines are often overlooked as a key component in a garden. Garden expert Charlie Nardozzi will introduce you to a variety of common and uncommon vines including woody vines, perennials and annuals. You will learn how to utilize support structures and provide the necessary care for plant health and maximum blooms. In addition, Charlie will offer some design and companion plant suggestions and share tips for overwintering tender vines. Take your garden vertical this year with flowering vines.

HHG Members: $30

Non-Members: $40 (includes admission to the garden)

Deer browse is one of the biggest challenges confronting northeast gardeners. Is there anything the deer won’t eat?

Well, if a deer is hungry enough, it will try to eat almost anything. But there are wonderful plants and shrubs, both native and non-native, that have proven to be deer resistant. Join horticulturist Gregg Tepper for an entertaining and informative lecture inspired by his recent co-authored book, Deer-Resistant Native Plants for the Northeast.

Gregg will share his experience landscaping with deer-resistant plants as well as strategies for rebuffing deer. Get the inside scoop on natural, safe and truly effective deer repellents as well as a new product that can eliminate buck rub on shrubs and small trees. Be inspired by beautiful, deer-resistant plant combinations, pick up cultivation tips and learn about newer, cultivated varieties of native plants now on the market.

HHG Members $30

Non-members $40 (includes admission to the garden)

Whether you have a sprawling estate or a cozy backyard, container plantings offer a versatile way to elevate your outdoor space and celebrate the changing seasons.

In this presentation you will learn the essentials of designing and planting container gardens. Learn how to choose the right vessels, select the perfect plants and ensure their health throughout the year. Explore fabulous and unexpected plant combinations and discover creative ways arrange them for maximum visual impact throughout the landscape. Join designer Roberta DiBisceglie of Columbine Gardens as she shares her professional tips for creating unique, high-impact container gardens with multi-season functionality.

HHG Members $30

Non-members $40 (includes admission to the garden)

Trees have been around for few hundred million years and are some of the oldest, tallest, and largest living things on the Earth. But the reasons behind their success are just starting to be understood.

Join arborist Christopher Roddick for a tour of the Hollister House tree collection, exploring the science and natural history of trees. We’ll cover the identification of some common native trees as well as a few rare ones and hear how they adapt and responded to changes in the environment over time. We’ll discover how trees form fungal partners and interspecies networks to communicate and stay healthy. And finally, we’ll talk about how we can be better stewards of the land we share with these wonderful ancient beings.

Note: This is an outdoor walking tour starting at 9:00am. Dress for the weather and walking on uneven terrain, and periods of standing. Group size limited, early registration suggested.

HHG Members $30

Non-members $40 (includes admission to the garden)

Herbariums have been used for centuries to document and preserve plant species for scientific study. Today pressing plants serves both botanical and artistic purposes.

Explore the history of herbariums and the art of flower pressing in this fun workshop. Learn techniques for pressing and preserving plants, and explore ways to use your specimens- whether for creating botanical artwork, building a personal herbarium, or as a special way to document your home garden. You will put together your own 8×10 inch wooden flower press, practice some basic pressing skills and learn what you need to start your own pressed plant collection. (Class size limited to 15.)

Lisa Zurles is Hollister House Garden’s education manager, a native plant enthusiast and a Connecticut Master Woodland Manager. She learned to press plants at the Native Plant Trust, where she studied botany and horticulture as part of their Native Plant Studies Certificate program. She loves sharing the joy of plants and the myriad way plants and flowers enrich our lives.

HHG Members $30

Non-members $40 (includes admission to the garden)

Magical and simple, cyanotypes are a camera-less technique that results in graphic blue and white prints.

Developed in 1842, cyanotype utilizes specially treated paper and sunlight to create dreamy, evocative images. We will use this alternative photographic process together with pressed plants to make beautiful botanical cyanotypes. All supplies will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring objects or pressed plants with interesting silhouettes from home to use in their compositions. Class size limited to 15 students.

HHG Members $90

Non-members $120 (includes admission to the garden)

In June, Hollister House Garden’s peonies become star attractions.

Venture out to the garden with watercolor instructor Betsy Rogers-Knox to take a detailed look at the exquisite ‘Mrs Franklin D. Roosevelt’ awarded the American Peony Society’s Gold Medal in 1948. Then return to the barn for a step-by-step watercolor class and learn how to use layered washes of color to capture the beautiful pastel shades of this peony. A simple template will be provided for those who prefer not to draw their own. All skill levels are welcome and personal instruction will be provided. Class size limited to 12.

HHG Members $90

Non-members $120

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 while enjoying a glass of wine.

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 while enjoying a glass of wine.