Sleepy Cat Farm: A Gardener's Journey

Sleepy Cat Farm is a luxurious estate in Greenwich with a variety of garden experiences, including formal boxwood and undulating hornbeam hedges, dense woodland, reflecting pools, arbors, and follies. It is the vision of Fred Landman, who acquired the property in 1994 and collaborated with architects and landscape architects to create a garden of which the house could be proud. The landscape unfolds in a series of garden rooms and pavilions, pathways and pools, statuary and staircases, trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds, hillsides and vistas that change daily, monthly, and almost minute by minute. Down the hill from the main house is an organic farm that supplies produce to the community. Landman and his wife, Seen Lippert, are committed to sharing the beauty of the property with others through charitable events and tours.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2021
Publisher: Monacelli Press

Nestled within the picturesque surroundings of Greenwich, Connecticut, lies a magnificent estate known as Sleepy Cat Farm. This breathtaking property boasts an abundance of garden experiences, including formal boxwood and undulating hornbeam hedges, dense woodland, reflecting pools, arbors, and follies. What sets this estate apart is its ferme ornée, which offers organic produce to the community.

The vision behind Sleepy Cat Farm is the remarkable work of one man, Fred Landman. In 1994, Landman acquired the handsome Georgian Revival house and its sprawling grounds, driven by a deep commitment to harmonizing the house and garden. With the guidance of Greenwich architect Charles Hilton and renowned landscape architect Charles J. Stick, Landman embarked on a transformative journey to create a garden that would be a source of pride for the house.

Drawing inspiration from his travels in Europe and Asia, Landman meticulously crafted a landscape that unfolds in a series of garden rooms and pavilions, pathways and pools, statues, staircases, trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds. The landscape is a testament to his dedication and expertise, as it changes daily, monthly, and even minute by minute, offering visitors an endless array of surprises, intrigue, and unexpected beauty.

To enhance the charm of the estate, names were assigned to various aspects of the garden. The Golden Path, the Grotto, the Iris Garden, the Spirit Walk, the Perennial Long Border Garden, the Pebble Terrace, the Woodland Walk, and the Celestial Pavilion, to name a few, each evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue. Buildings and follies were added, each with its own storybook name, such as the Barn, the Limonaia, the Chinese Pavilion, the Cat Maze, and the Arbor.

Down the hill from the main house lies an operational organic farm, a project of Landman's wife, Seen Lippert. Lippert, a professional chef who previously worked with Alice Waters in California before relocating to the East, shares Landman's passion for creating beauty and sustainability. Together, they oversee the farm, which supplies fresh and nutritious produce to the community.

Landman and Lippert are deeply committed to sharing the beauty that they have created. They generously open their property for charitable events and tours for gardeners and horticultural enthusiasts, allowing them to immerse themselves in the tranquility and splendor of Sleepy Cat Farm.

In conclusion, Sleepy Cat Farm is a testament to the vision, dedication, and expertise of Fred Landman and Seen Lippert. This magnificent estate offers a breathtaking blend of house and garden experiences, with a ferme ornée that provides organic produce to the community. Through their generosity and commitment to sharing the beauty of their creation, Landman and Lippert have created a haven of tranquility and inspiration for all who visit.

Weight: 1336g
Dimension: 249 x 277 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781580935814