Cricket Hill Garden, Thomaston, Connecticut

Cricket Hill Garden is a hidden gem nestled in Connecticut’s countryside. This charming 7-acre display garden and nursery offers visitors a unique blend of rare peonies and unusual landscape edibles.

When you visit Cricket Hill Garden, you’re stepping into a world of botanical wonders. Located in USDA zone 6, this specialty nursery showcases some of the most beautiful and rare plant varieties you can find in the region. The garden is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, making it a perfect destination for your spring or summer day trip in Connecticut.

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Cricket Hill Garden

Cricket Hill Garden is a family-owned plant nursery in Thomaston, Connecticut that specializes in peonies. Founded in 1989 by Kasha and David Furman, it was one of the first nurseries in the United States to offer true-to-name varieties of Chinese tree peonies.

When you visit this “Peony Heaven,” you’ll find a stunning selection of tree peonies, known as “The Aristocrats of the Garden.” The nursery has expanded its offerings over the years while maintaining its commitment to growing high-quality plants with beautiful blooms.

Spring is an ideal time to explore Cricket Hill Garden when many of their peonies are in bloom. You’ll also find fruit trees available for purchase. The garden showcases creative landscape design, with tree peonies interplanted with hostas and self-seeding flowers that create a harmonious garden display.

If you’re unsure about how to grow these magnificent plants, the knowledgeable staff provides expert advice for planting and growing, ensuring your own garden can flourish with these spectacular flowers.

Rating: 4.8 (33 reviews)
Location: 670 Walnut Hill Rd, Thomaston, CT 06787
Contact: (860) 283-9393
Website: Visit Website

History and Background

Cricket Hill Garden stands as a horticultural treasure in Connecticut with over three decades of dedicated cultivation. Its remarkable journey from a specialized peony nursery to a diverse garden destination reflects the passion and vision of its founders.

Founding of Cricket Hill Garden

Kasha and David Furman established Cricket Hill Garden in 1989 with a pioneering vision. They created one of the first nurseries in the United States to specialize in Chinese tree peonies, bringing these exotic and beautiful plants to American gardeners.

The Furmans began with a clear mission: to grow and share specialty peonies with the community. Their initial focus on rare Chinese tree peonies set them apart in the American nursery landscape. The 12-acre property they selected in Connecticut provided ample space for both growing their beloved plants and creating display gardens.

Their expertise and passion quickly established Cricket Hill as a destination for plant enthusiasts seeking unusual varieties not commonly found elsewhere.

Evolution Over the Years

Over time, Cricket Hill Garden expanded beyond its initial focus on tree peonies. In 1993, the garden underwent substantial alterations, enhancing its formal garden space which now covers approximately one-half acre of the property.

The second generation joined the family business when son Dan Furman became involved, helping to guide the garden’s evolution. Under this combined family expertise, Cricket Hill broadened its offerings to include unusual landscape edibles and fruit trees alongside their renowned peony collection.

Today, the garden serves as both a nursery and display garden, allowing you to see mature specimens of their plants in a beautiful setting. Their online presence has helped them reach peony enthusiasts nationwide, with their website (treepeony.com) serving as a resource for plant lovers.

The Peony Collection

Cricket Hill Garden boasts one of the most diverse peony collections in the United States. Their extensive selection includes over 350 distinct cultivars of Chinese, Japanese, and American tree peonies, making it a true paradise for peony enthusiasts.

Unique Varieties

At Cricket Hill Garden, you’ll discover rare and unusual peony varieties you won’t find at typical nurseries. They were among the first in the USA to sell true-to-name peony varieties, showing their commitment to authenticity and quality.

Their collection features both tree peonies and herbaceous varieties with different bloom times. If you’re looking for early-blooming options, they have specialized selections tagged specifically for this purpose.

One of the most exciting offerings is their open-pollinated tree peony seedlings. These unique plants come from their diverse gene pool of 350+ cultivars, with natural pollination creating one-of-a-kind specimens for your garden.

Cultivation Practices

Cricket Hill Garden operates in USDA zone 6 in Connecticut, giving them expertise in growing peonies in northeastern conditions. This knowledge translates into healthy, hardy plants that will thrive in similar climates.

Their family-owned nursery, founded in 1989, brings over three decades of experience in peony cultivation. You’ll benefit from their specialized growing techniques when you add their peonies to your landscape.

The garden maintains a forest farm approach, integrating peonies with other landscape edibles and unusual plants. This cultivation style demonstrates how peonies can be part of a diverse, productive garden space rather than standalone specimens.

For personal guidance, you can visit by appointment only. Just email or call ahead to arrange a time to explore their peony collection and receive expert advice on selecting the perfect varieties for your garden.

Events and Workshops

Cricket Hill Garden offers exciting seasonal events throughout the year that allow visitors to learn gardening skills and enjoy the beautiful grounds. These hands-on experiences are perfect for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

Educational Tours

You can expand your gardening knowledge with Cricket Hill Garden’s educational workshops. On Saturday, April 5th, 2025, join their Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop from 10am to 12:30pm. For $75, you’ll learn valuable grafting techniques at their Thomaston location.

For those interested in flower propagation, mark your calendar for Saturday, September 6th, 2025. Their Peony Propagation Workshop teaches you how to multiply beautiful peonies from your garden. This hands-on session runs from 10am to 12pm at the garden.

Fall brings a special Edible Landscaping Walk on Saturday, October 18th, 2025. You’ll discover how to incorporate food-producing plants into your landscape design while enjoying the autumn colors.

Annual Peony Festival

The highlight of Cricket Hill Garden’s calendar is their spectacular Peony Festival. This celebration showcases hundreds of blooming peonies in various colors and forms across their Connecticut property.

You can wander through stunning peony displays, from tree peonies to herbaceous varieties. Garden staff provide guided tours explaining the different types and their care requirements.

The festival typically includes special sales on peony plants, allowing you to bring home varieties you’ve fallen in love with during your visit. Light refreshments are often available as you enjoy the fragrant blooms.

Photography enthusiasts will find countless opportunities to capture the perfect peony portrait among the breathtaking displays.