2026 TRADE SECRETS GARDEN TOURS

VISIT EXTRAORDINARY NEW ENGLAND GARDENS THIS MAY


The Garden of Bunny Williams & John Rosselli

The property of Bunny Williams and John Rosselli encompasses twelve acres of varied gardens, including woodland, vegetable, parterre, orchard, perennial borders and many container displays that surround the 1840’s Federal home. A mowed path through the orchard and meadow leads to the pool house, a Greek Revival folly made with rustic, locally harvested oak columns. Uphill from the pool is Bunny’s Studio: an inspiring contemporary place with an impressive view of the Berkshire Hills. From the Studio, paths weave their way through the Woodland Garden, past carpets of ferns, wildflowers, woodland peonies, and an understory of dogwoods and redbuds. The Woodland Garden opens up into Elizabeth’s Circle, a contemplative and calming space where large boxwood balls tumble down the hill from the woods edge. Stone steps lead down to the Parterre, located behind the Conservatory and guest barn. Brick walkways, covered in moss, are surrounded by patterned boxwood hedges that edge seasonally planted beds, allowing for a different color scheme each year. Beyond the Conservatory, which showcases tropicals, a pergola leads visitors around the main house to a series of Belgian-style swooped yew hedges that frame a mass planting of hydrangeas. Just past the hedges is a sunken garden, filled with bold mixed borders and box-edged beds, brimming with perennials, annuals, and bulbs, including a granite edged koi pond. Continuing through an arbor in the sunken garden brings you to the Birdhouse Village, where Bunny’s collection of antique birdhouses is on display amidst native plants, towering pines and old apple trees.  In the middle of the property is also a vegetable & cutting garden; a great variety of organic vegetables and herbs are grown along with tulips, peonies and dahlias from spring through fall in symmetrically designed square beds, edged with antique terracotta tile. Unused produce makes its way to the chickens, which are housed in an extraordinary octagonal coop. Visitors will most likely have the pleasure of meeting Bunny and John, as they enjoy sharing their garden with their guests.

Terrain Description: This garden features pathways of gravel, cobblestones, grass, and mulch. While most areas are relatively flat with mild inclines, some steps are present but can mostly be avoided. Seating is available throughout the garden, as well as in the barn and studio.

The Garden of Michael Trapp

  • Michael Trapp ($25/ticket)

  • Available to view from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  • Estimated time to tour the garden: 20 minutes *Be sure to leave some time to pop into the shop

  • 7 River Road, West Cornwall, CT 06796

  • Please Note: Capacity to this garden is limited. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Underwriters receive early access!)

Venture through the shuttered gate that sequesters Michael Trapp’s garden and step into the fractured fairytale that this renowned designer/antique dealer has forged. Slender paths lead through a cobbled labyrinth of idiosyncratic spaces staged with wonderful Corinthian capitals, huge slabs of stone set as dining tables, Roman fountains, and towering topiary spires that have been sculpted personally by Michael over decades. Stairs are swathed in wisteria, deft espaliered apples run their limbs along Gothic ruins, thoroughly lovable lions slumber. There is a craggy grotto beside a sparkling lap pool and a “cabinet of curiosities” filled with fading books and strange natural artifacts to be discovered. All the while, the scenic Housatonic River runs languidly below the balustrade, combining with the panoply of spring bulbs planted in the terraced beds to add a little levity to the ambiance. Michael Trapp’s pocket-sized garden fills minimal space with the full gamut of experiences. Deliciously odd, it reflects the insights of an extremely talented artist with a poignantly noir imagination.

Terrain Description: This garden features narrow cobblestone paths with uneven surfaces and multiple sets of stairs.

Clove Brook Farm

The garden at Clove Brook Farm was begun in 2014 following a full restoration of the circa 1830s Greek Revival farmhouse on the property. The garden has quickly grown into a series of interconnected spaces, beginning with a horseshoe-shaped garden near the house that is surrounded by a clipped hornbeam hedge and anchored by a dovecote. It's this garden where a spectacular show of tulips and sweet peas emerges in spring, followed by towering dahlias in late summer. A few years ago another large garden "room" was added which centers on an oval swimming pool and neoclassical style pool house. This garden is also bounded by a hornbeam hedge and includes perimeter beds filled with various herbaceous perennials which evolve throughout the growing season, starting with poppies in early spring, then peonies, roses, lilies, and finally dahlias. A large kitchen garden has also been added, designed in a formal style, and planted with a large variety of vegetables during the growing season. The garden continues to evolve as embellishments to the formal garden spaces are added, and informal and naturalistic plantings are installed at the edge of the property. The evolution of the garden has been documented in A Year at Clove Brook Farm (Rizzoli, 2021), with foreword by Martha Stewart.

Terrain Description: This garden features mostly grassy paths, a set of stone steps, and a fairly steep slope leading to the Pool Garden. Seating is available throughout the property for occasional rest.

The Garden of Katie Ridder & Peter Pennoyer

This hornbeam-enclosed flower garden with formal bluestone paths frames fourteen flower beds and was inspired by Wave Hill in the Bronx. The garden is centered on a small terrace with a fountain bowl and a wisteria draped pergola. Their house, designed by Peter Pennoyer, faces directly onto the garden with a mudroom in the form of a small temple aligning with the central path. The beds feature fastigiate beech, dwarf conifers, grasses, annuals, and ever-developing unusual combinations. Their landscape architect, Edmund Hollander, designed their property with simple hedgerows and trees, reserving the flower garden and woodland path for Katie Ridder to unleash a less disciplined approach. Their land runs the length of an old farm stone wall. The principal elements align from east to west: meadow, flower garden, greenhouse, woodland path, cutting garden, and, finally, the corn field of the neighboring farm.

Terrain Description: Flat

Wethersfield Estate & Garden

Stroll through an Italian Renaissance garden with breathtaking views.

Wethersfield Estate & Garden occupies 1,000 acres in northeast Dutchess County, where it is the highest point in the region with an elevation of 1,200 feet. From that vantage point, it offers majestic views of the Berkshires, the Catskills and the Taconic Hills. Comprised of a Georgian-style house– classical gardens, a carriage house, and a farm, Wethersfield Estate & Garden is generally considered to be one of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance gardens in the United States. Founded by Citigroup heir, philanthropist and investor, Chauncey Stillman, in 1938, Wethersfield Estate & Garden is now a non-profit organization devoted to the proper stewardship of land, habitat protection, conservation, culture, and the arts. Wethersfield hosts a diversity of formal and native-inspired garden spaces, such as an Arts and Crafts English perennial garden, cut flower garden, hedged yew topiaries and mature tree specimens, and 20 miles of trails for equestrian activities and hiking. Wethersfield strives to integrate the latest horticultural knowledge to maintain a sustainable and historical garden in a changing world. Wethersfield Estate & Garden is on the National Register of Historic Places and was awarded the 2021 New York State Historic Preservation Award for Excellence in Historic Landscape Preservation.

Terrain Description: This garden features steep and uneven terrain with steps, gravel, lawn, pine needles, and packed earth, with no paved paths. Limited wheelchair access; a hilltop picnic area offers an alternative resting spot. Handicapped-accessible bathrooms are available, and seating is provided throughout.

2026 TRADE SECRETS GARDEN TOURS MAP

CT Garden Tours

  • The Garden of Bunny Williams & John Rosselli: 1 Point of Rocks Rd, Falls Village, CT (Street Parking)

  • The Garden of Michael Trapp: 7 River Rd, West Cornwall, CT (Street Parking)

NY Garden Tours

  • Clove Brook Farms: 857 North Clove Rd, Millbrook, NY (Street and Parking Lot)

  • The Garden of Katie Ridder & Peter Pennoyer – 366 Ludlow Woods Road, Stanfordville, NY (Street Parking)

  • Wethersfield Estate & Garden: 257 Pugsley Hill Rd, Amenia, NY (Field Parking)

Helpful Tips

  • Bring Your Tickets - Please have your ticket ready to present at each check-in table. Entry will be delayed without it.

  • Rain or Shine - This event happens rain or shine—come prepared for the weather with comfortable shoes and appropriate gear.

  • Expect Crowds - Some gardens are quite popular! Please be patient, kind, and follow the flow of foot traffic.

  • Plan for Limited Cell Service - Some garden locations have little to no reception—plan your route in advance and consider printing or downloading directions.

  • Pack In, Pack Out - We ask that you carry out anything you bring in. Trash cans are not available on-site.

  • Restrooms - Portable or on-site restrooms will be available at all gardens.

  • Respect the Property - These are private homes and sacred spaces—please stay on marked paths, do not pick plants, and respect all posted signage.

  • Waitlist Tickets - Waitlist tickets are not tickets for entry. If a spot opens up, you'll be notified and given the option to purchase a ticket.

  • Please plan to finish your visit by the end time—many gardens are at private homes, and we want to respect the generosity of our hosts.