Garden Study Weekend 2024
Garden Study Weekend Symposium
September 7, 2024
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.
Garden Study Weekend 2024
Great Dixter: Past. Present and Future
Fergus Garrett since 1993 has held the position of Head Gardener at Great Dixter. Fergus is a hands-on gardener and plantsman with a keen interest in working practices. He is interested in ecology and how an ornamental garden and biodiversity interact. Fergus will talk about the history of the 15th c. manor house and share his memories of Christopher Lloyd, their relationship, and the way they worked together to develop Great Dixter and how they challenged and experimented with principles of garden design. The design of the borders, the planting style, meadow gardening and the importance of a biodiverse garden will be discussed as well as the way forward for a sensitive historic garden.
The History of Lawns: From Pasture to Plastic
Peter Del Tredici, a botanist specializing in the growth and development of trees, is the Senior Scientist, emeritus, at the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University. He is the author of Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast: A Field Guide. In this illustrated lecture, Peter will present a brief history of lawns and the techniques used to create and maintain them. He will discuss the social and ecological issues surrounding their use in historical and modern landscapes. He will offer ways to manage lawns that increase their ecological functionality and decrease their negative impacts. Peter concludes with a discussion of the alarming trend to replace real grass athletic fields with plastic turf.
Exuberant Planters
For over 30 years Katherine Tracey has been experimenting with the unexpected on the grounds of Avant Gardens, a nationally known nursery and design firm in Dartmouth, MA. Formally trained as a painter and textile designer, Kathryn developed an appreciation for color and pattern that continues to inform her horticultural pursuits. She has curated the Avant Gardens plant list to include the best uncommon plants for the Northeast.Kathryn believes everyone has room for a smashing container planting either beside a door, on a terrace or in a garden bed. In this talk she will share her innovative and easy-care ensembles that maintain a wow factor up until frost.
This Curious Life as a Plantsman
Matt Mattus is a creative who cannot stop growing, collecting or learning. With an inherent curiosity, he challenges conventional wisdom and seeks out the obscure. He constantly experiments with growing plants, trialing classic techniques against the newest horticultural methods to find which has merit and which may mislead. Matt grows most everything in his greenhouse and garden, from lesser-known seed-sown annuals to rediscovering conservatory plants to achieving success with towering delphiniums in New England. He is the author of Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening and Mastering the Art of Vegetable Growing. His presentations are known for their useful content. Be prepared to take notes!
Moderator
Page Dickey is a celebrated garden writer, lecturer, and designer. Page is a director emerita of the Garden Conservancy, where she co-founded the Open Days program. She serves on the boards of The Little Guild, Stonecrop Garden, and Hollister House Garden. Page has written eight books and edited a ninth. In the most recent, Uprooted: A Gardener Reflects on Beginning Again, Page reflects on leaving her beloved garden of 34 years, finding a new home, and falling in love with its land.
Schedule of Events
8:00 AM – Registration and light continental breakfast
9:00 AM – Morning session opens
12:00 PM – Lunch and shopping at Hickory Stick Bookshop
1:00 PM – Afternoon session opens
4:00 PM – Cocktails, music and a very special Silent Auction
at Hollister House Garden, Washington, CT,
Patrons $800
(includes invitation to Friday night dinner honoring our
speakers, reserved seating at the symposium and a $500 donation to Hollister House Garden)
Hollister House Garden Members $300
Garden Conservancy Members $300
Non-members $350
8:00 am – 3:30 pm
The Heritage Hotel and Conference Center
Southbury, CT
4:00 – 7:00 pm
Hollister House Garden
Washington, CT