Gardens - Estate Overview - French Parterre - Rose Garden
Lunar Lawn - Japanese-Style Garden - Greenhouses
Cutting Garden - Other Points of Interest - Seasonal Interest



When Marjorie Merriweather Post purchased Hillwood in 1955, a small greenhouse existed in a service area outside the motor court at the mansion’s entrance. By this time, she had accumulated a large collection of tropical orchids and found that the existing greenhouse was not adequate. Two more greenhouses were added on each side of the existing greenhouse, creating five growing spaces each with a different climate to grow the wide variety of species and hybrid orchids that comprise her collection.

Mrs. Post hired an orchid curator to tend these temperamental beauties and breed new varieties for her pleasure. The curator delivered orchids in bloom to the mansion throughout the year, always displaying them in Mrs. Posts’ bedroom, the breakfast room, the library, and the French drawing room. Mrs. Post was so fond of her orchids that she often had a large selection shipped from Hillwood to grace her rooms when she was in residence at her other properties. Today 2,500 orchids remain in cultivation in the greenhouses, while new varieties are added to carry on the tradition of filling the mansion with these exotic blooms.

Holy GhostEventually, a sixth greenhouse was added for the production of cut flowers in winter when the cutting garden ceases to yield. Hillwood Museum and Gardens continues winter production of cut flowers today for use in the mansion. In autumn, the greenhouses are filled with standard chrysanthemums, just as Mrs. Post preferred. By winter, seasonal flowers of amaryllis, poinsettias, narcissus, camellias, and azaleas are in bloom. Early spring brings a flush of sweetly scented freesias, lilies, and snapdragons, accompanied by stock, Bells of Ireland, and forced tulips. Potted plants are transferred to the mansion to fill the nooks of the breakfast room. Long-stemmed flowers are arranged into magnificent centerpieces for the dining room table and into lavish sprays for the drawing room and pavilion.


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