In Situ – Where Art Meets Landscape

In Situ is a grand garden covering 8 acres in rural Redding, CT. This is my second garden tour and the pictures tell more than my words can express. I visited the garden this past Sunday, 9/22/13, with my son, Ben, and his girlfriend, Shelby during the Open Days Tours. In Situ truly combines art with the landscape, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces.

In Situ’s landscape designer is Richard Hartlage from Land Morphology in Seattle, Washington. They create designs that respond to the land which is shown in the placement of the elements used in the property. This garden does not have as many colorful flowers and plants as I expected, but it might have been the time of the year. However, I think Richard may have designed In Situ this way. The private estate is like a piece of art itself, skillfully crafted into the property which is surrounded by the 312 acre Saugatuck Falls Natural Area.

I really enjoyed the art and sculptures throughout the garden which complimented the choice of plants, stones and design. Great thought was taken in placement and choice. My favorite piece was the mirrors. By itself, it blended into the environment, but add a few people and it was just fun. I only wish there was a legend, or plaques, to identify the art and plants.

In Situ is divided into garden rooms that are made up of meadows, stone walkways, water features, woodlands and architectural arbors and stone work. The spaces vary from the natural to recreational like a pool and a basketball court to multiple dining areas and places just to sit and relax.

In Situ’s mission is to provide scholarships to under privileged college students who aspire to attend art schools in the US. They offer the use of the gardens and property to companies dedicated to sculpture, music, fashion or the culinary arts as a means to stage charity functions in support of their mission. For more information, email info@insitu.org.