The Great Hill Schoolhouse

About

The Great Hill Schoolhouse is a historic property on 2 acres that is owned by landscape designer John Holm and industrial designer Harry Allen. The original structure served as a local schoolhouse for a century until the 1940s. Over the last twenty years, John has replaced lawn, pachysandra, and foundation plantings with (mostly) native trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and sedges. It's a sustainable landscape that draws inspiration from natural plant communities with great emphasis on structure, texture, and movement. In fall, plants are left to provide winter interest and to provide habitat for overwintering insects and sustenance for birds. Much of the garden's character comes from the juxtaposition of the loose, flowing nature of the meadowstyle planting against structural elements such as hedges, rock walls, and mature boxwoods. The crisp edging of the path that takes you through the garden offsets the organic elements. The house is set underneath a copse of mature sugar maples that provide shade for a woodland garden and a patio with potted Japanese maples. There is also a crevice style rock garden with a collection of alpines, desert plants, and troughs.

This garden’s estimated size is 2 acres.

2025 Open Day: Saturday, September 20

Hours: 10-4