If you dream of an outdoor garden event surrounded by beauty and history, this spot just might be perfect for you. Today we are deep diving into the floral and ageless Hermitage Garden.

In 1819, construction of the Hermitage Mansion was well underway, and the Jacksons needed a garden to match the mystique of what the Mansion would become. At the recommendation of a friend, Andrew Jackson hired English gardener William Frost for design and planning of the garden.

The design was and is a typical foursquare English garden, common in Europe since the Middle Ages, consisting of four quadrants and circular center beds planted with flowers, herbs, shrubs, vines, vegetables, berries and fruit trees.

Though very few early descriptions of the garden at The Hermitage exist, it is known that Rachel Jackson purchased flowering plants including geraniums, daisies, wallflowers and polyanthus from Cincinnati to add to the garden in 1825.

Today, the garden is used for every event you could imagine—from tented affairs, open air wedding ceremonies and receptions to elopements, vow renewals, brunches, corporate receptions and even fundraisers.

As the only venue that has a backdrop of the actual Hermitage Mansion, this spot choice will bring you up close and personal to the life of the Jackson family and make you feel like you are in a dream of the past.

For the modern-day event, typically we see clients divide events up into the front two quadrants, depending on the size and needs.

The right hand area closest to the Hermitage Mansion is often used for ceremonies due to its landscape and the fact that it’s the first shaded as the sun sets!

The left-hand quadrant closest to the Mansion is usually where receptions are held and tents are placed!

The Garden’s two back quadrants are areas we’ve seen used for things like yard games and catering setups. The garden in its entirety is one acre, but keep in mind the Jacksons do have a family cemetery in the back right quadrant that guests typically don’t access during events out of respect.

The garden’s capacity is right around 200 guests, and when it fills up, it is quite the scene of natural beauty + fun and dressy guests. Add some string lights and some live music, and before you know it… you’ve got an outdoor soiree like no other.

Typically clients who choose NOT to rent the garden and choose another venue will often escape over toward the trees and blooms for some quality picture backgrounds that are not to be underestimated, even when it’s chilly outside!

We’re pretty big fans of all the blooms planted year in and year out by our marvelous garden team led by Sarah Edmonds. She and her team plant in and out of season, so the garden stays consistently floral as much as possible! We’re particularly fond of the snowball bush below that blooms just a few weeks in April!

As far as details go for a garden affair… you cannot beat floral extras like seed giveaways.

And before we conclude… we cannot forget to mention that the Hermitage Garden poses as the most precious and incredible background for an elopement or mini-wedding and reception for smaller guest counts.

The Garden can be booked stand-alone for a reception or event or for a ceremony and reception. We would love to give you a site visit to view the Garden at any point! Please feel free to check out the Garden’s page on our website for more information or email us at events@thehermitage.com to schedule a visit!

I Do to the Venue: The Garden

If you dream of an outdoor garden event surrounded by beauty and history, this spot just might be perfect for you. Today we are deep diving into the floral and ageless Hermitage Garden.

Emily Dolch