Outdoor Oasis in the Schmitt Garden

Tricia and Bud Schmitt have lived in their Holliston house in a quiet neighborhood for 34 years. Shortly after they moved in, the septic system failed, calling for an overhaul of their yard. As the site was excavated, local contractor Herb Brockert inquired about what should be done with all of the stones dug out of the ground. The Schmitts wanted them hauled away, but Brockert convinced them that the stones could be used in their landscape. Over the years, those same stones were put to great use by Bud, who developed an interest in stone masonry. His handiwork is evident all through the garden.

After the new septic was installed, the Schmitts were faced with a half-acre blank slate encircled by original trees. Tricia had inherited a fondness for gardening from her father, who supplied some divisions from his New Jersey garden. A magazine article about garden rooms captured Tricia and Bud’s interest, and soon they were dividing their landscape into a series of individual garden spaces. The entry garden is charming graveled courtyard shaded by a mature Japanese maple. Granite steps lead to the upper garden with a pond, ornamental plantings and enclosed vegetable beds. Tricia and Bud collaborate on the garden projects, designing many of the gardens so that they provide lovely views from the indoors, particularly in winter.  

Tricia loves conifers of all shapes and sizes, and her collection beautifully complements the stones that Bud artfully installed. The garden also features a mature stewartia, boxwoods, hydrangeas and Bloomerang lilac topiary. Recently added privacy gardens are planted with 53 new cedars, hollies, rhododendrons and other evergreens. Vegetables are grown in handsome raised vegetable beds created by Peas Love & Parsley. Seating areas and charming accessories create inviting outdoor spaces. The garden is a wonderful outdoor living room for the entire family, including daughter Lauren and two young grandchildren. Lauren also shares a passion for native plants, and works as a horticulturist at Weston nurseries in Hopkinton.

Tricia is a long-time member of the Holliston Garden Club, and is also renowned for her “Schmints”–delicious, chocolate covered mints sold at Superette in Holliston. The Schmitt garden is included in the Enchanted Gardens Spring Garden Tour in May.