A Self-Guided Walking Tour of the

Jill Griesse Historic Garden and the Holly Shai Lady’s Garden

Welcome! As you read this guide, imagine you are standing at the front gate of the Museum. To your right and left, along the fence, is the garden that represents what would have been found in stately gardens in 1842. If you step towards the front porch and turn around, you will notice that the two sides of the beds mirror one another; what is planted on the east side of the gate is also on the west.

We are going to travel east; but first let’s look at some of the specimens in the 1842 garden. In April, when the daffodils are in bloom, on either side of the gate are rare and historic daffodils. As we move along, you will see that some of the daffodil markers look more like botanical names, and that is no mistake, because that is how they are known. These were not hybridized; they are naturally occurring species. The roses you see are all very old-fashioned, with their wicked thorns, fragrant blooms, and lovely hips in the fall. At the end, before turning south, you will see a plant that we are often asked about. It is a variety of St. John’s Wort. The buds are a deep purple, and the blooms and eventual seed pods go through a veritable visit of the rainbow.

The large bush, as you turn south, is a “Beauty Bush,” and it is indeed a beauty when in full bloom! Next to this are the magnificent taxus, sometimes called yew, with their ancient trunks and thick branches. Under these is a garden that represents the era of the fraternity houses’ occupation of the Avery-Downer House.

Across from these beds is a gorgeous sweet-bay magnolia, which blooms a bit later than the varieties we see throughout Granville.

Ahead of you, you will see the Dale and Tina Knobel Folly. On either side of the building are two beds, again mirroring each other, that are planted with perennials that bloom in white. The two trees are thorn-less hawthorns, under them are the daffodils Xit and Thalia, as well as anemones, and red-branched dogwoods.

If you turn to your right, you will see the beds along the side of the building. One notable plant here, and one that we get many questions about, are the so-called “plume poppies,” that tower up to the roof line in the summer. They line the Octagon Room and require severe containment. However, these were planted by Robbins Hunter, Jr., along with the white anemones that are in the same area. These have been in the gardens since the 1960’s!

Heading west, passing the Octagon room, you will see a small sign saying “kitchen garden.” And while we love the sage and rosemary in this bed, the true gem is the towering Granville Rose. Originally brought in 1803 by settlers from Granville, Massachusetts, the rose is a true old-fashioned gem. To the best of anyone’s knowledge, this and another at the Granville Historical Society are the only surviving today. Spectacular in June, when it is in full bloom – its only bloom in a year – the rose’s fragrance is intoxicating.

You can reach the Holly Shai Lady’s Garden from here by either going up the steps along Alfie’s Wholesome Food, or by going through the space between the museum and the Octagon Room. The Lady’s Garden, named for the bronze statue by Alan Cottrill is the home to those varieties that are usually vulnerable to deer as well as the most historic and precious varieties of daffodils in the museum’s collection. The Lady herself has an interesting story. Robbins Hunter, Jr., bought the original from Zanesville after a public outcry due to her lack of modest clothing. The original statue was one of three representing the Fates. It was stolen in 2006, and replaced with the statue you see today, largely due to the efforts of the Granville Garden Club who raised the money and commissioned the statue as you see her today.

Moving up the stairs from this garden, to the walk way between Just Write and Alfie’s, you will arrive at the west entrance to the museum, with the magnificent ramp plantings, installed by Jill Griesse, the wonderful weeping cherry trees, and the Granville Garden Club’s pollinator garden, which runs along the walkway between the Library and the museum.

If you peer into the space between Just Write and the ramp, you will see three treasured mountain laurels, delicate plants in this region, which delight the eye when they are in bloom. They are among our cherished treasures and are carefully protected. The clematis growing up the white railings is the so-called “Autumn Clematis” and is spectacular when it blooms in the fall.

The pollinator garden is aimed to help all pollinators but has a focus on butterflies and non-stinging bees. All the plants in this bed are designed to provide food throughout the year for these wonderful species that do so much for us. Given the time of the year, you will find asters, butterfly bushes, lavender, and other nectar rich plantings that both feed the pollinators and delight the eye.

From here, if you turn south along the walkway between the Library and Alfie’s, you will see what we fondly call the “Library Strip,” which is planted with spectacular unique daylilies donated by a friend of the museum. You will also note the occasional tomato plant, or pepper, or even cucumber that has been dropped from a patron of Alfie’s. We leave these for everyone’s enjoyment and as an illustration of the dynamic life of gardens and plants! One year we even had pumpkins!

WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED LEARNING MORE ABOUT OUR GARDENS.

Please visit us again. You might be surprised at what will be blooming next time!

Get a closer look…

The Jill Griesse Historic Garden at the Robbins Hunter Museum/Avery-Downer House creates an educational, all-season landscape in the heart of the Village of Granville.  Celebrating the life of Jill Griesse, the garden and daffodils are a “collection of a lifetime.”

The garden honors the late Jill Griesse and her passion for daffodils, gardening and the Robbins Hunter Museum.  The Griesse family graciously donated a selection of Jill’s priceless daffodil collection which began the inspiration for this special garden.  Working with well-known landscape architect and horticulturist, Laura Burchfield, a design was developed to include elements required for a sanctioned American Daffodil Society (ADS) display garden.  One of only 25 such gardens in the country, this designation calls attention to this important collection of bulbs and, in other seasons, the historic and modern cultivars that are planted.

The historic garden is designed with three gardens representing three periods of significance to the Avery-Downer House and to include historic design, ornamentation, and plants from each era.  The garden is used to educate visitors and the community, both children and adults, about how landscape design has changed over time and facilitate new programming on historic gardens and gardening in general, such as exhibitions, classes for adults and children and the annual Granville Garden Tour. 

A new Greek Revival Folly, designed by classical architect William Heyer, stands prominently at the south end of the garden.  It provides an intimate gathering place and allows for small public and private events including private parties and weddings, lectures, musical performances and theatrical performances, partnering at times with Denison University, Newark-Granville Symphony, and Central Ohio entities.

Started in 2015, the garden and its plantings are lovingly tended by a corps of dedicated volunteers. 

Your support enables us to maintain and improve the plantings and hardscapes as well as to provide educational and entertaining programs related to gardening.

Philanthropist, political activist, community leader, competitive swim coach, business partner with her husband and mother of three:  Jill Griesse did it all and did it well.  In her last year, while fighting the most challenging battle of her life, pancreatic cancer, she chaired the 2012 National American Daffodil Convention in Columbus, Ohio, ending with a candlelight dinner under a tent at her home, Pau Hana.  There she had over the past three decades planted thousands upon thousands of daffodils consisting of more than 700 varieties.

Two nights later, she once again shared Pau Hana and the daffodils for the benefit of the Robbins Hunter Museum.  Director, Ann Lowder said, “When we were fortunate enough to have Jill accept our invitation to serve on the Board of Trustees, she really put herself into it.  She rolled up her sleeves and went to work, attracting strong community leaders and embarking on five years of a fundraising event at Pau Hana during daffodil season.  She has an enormous strength of purpose.”  Her efforts on behalf of the museum enabled the completion of many projects and put the museum in the position of being Granville’s premier tourist attraction.

To honor the memory of Jill, the Robbins Hunter Museum began in 2014 to create an historic garden landscape interpreting three historic periods.  Using the architectural plans of Laura Burchfield, MLA, beds will incorporate thousands of daffodil bulbs representing every cultivar.  Partners will include the American Daffodil Society and the Granville Garden Club, both of which Jill was a proud member.

Thank you to for supporting the Jill Griesse Historical Garden through the 2019 Granville Daffodil Stroll!

Spencer and Beth Barker

Alan and Jeanne Bolton

William Cornell

Ben and Lisa Englefield

Graydon and Barbari Griesse

Paul and Linda Griesse

John and Mary Hinderer

The Hirsh family

Kevin Kerr and Michael Kennedy

Patricia R. and Herbert J. Murphy Foundation

Lucy Porter

Lou Reese

Thomas Wortham and John Kauffman

The Jill Griesse Historic Garden is a gathering place where everyone can play, learn and grow. Help us build and endow the garden so it can be a treasured space in Granville for years to come. Select the Donate Now button to make a secure donation.

Ordering Bulbs for your Garden?

Brent and Becky's Bulbs is sure to have what you are looking for!  Click on the link below and you will be taken to Brent and Becky's online store.  Choose Robbins Hunter Museum from the pull down menu, start shopping, and a percentage of every dollar you spend will support our organization.  It's really that simple! 

Learn more about how you can help us to maintain and add to this amazing public space for the Village of Granville that Jill loved. Please fill out the form below.