Ann and Haig's Garden

The heart of our 4-acre garden is our collection of more than 80 varieties of ferns. There are native ferns, ferns from around the world, and ferns that date back to the dinosaurs. Our property also includes dozens of dogwoods, viburnums, and rhododendron; many Japanese maples; various other specimen trees and shrubs; a wide assortment of hydrangeas; and several stately oaks. The woodland gardens have a variety of ground covers, some carpeting large areas, providing a dramatic contrast to the towering trees. The pool garden has summer blooming plants with of course a few ferns. A favorite feature of the garden is the 700-yard woodchip path that meanders around the property. Over the 33 years that we have lived here, several of the ferns have spread into large swaths, including one field of ostrich ferns we affectionately call Jurassic Park. Our house was built in 1940, part of the modern architecture movement that was popular in New Canaan at the time. It was designed, built, and lived-in by the grandson of H. H. Richardson, one of the leading American architects of the late nineteenth century. The house was built during the Depression by unemployed boat builders from Maine and has nautical features inside and out.

This garden's estimated size is 4 acres.

Open Days 2024:  Saturday, June 8
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.