Hollis Garden is a neo-classical European designed garden located on Lake Mirror Park. The garden was designed to contain different "rooms." Each room is based off of the importance of agriculture to the Native Americans and Floridian pioneers.
The first two rooms contain a grotto surrounded with tropical ferns and a gazebo designed to protect visitors from the sun.
"Hollis Garden is one of my children's favorite places to go," Lakeland resident Lisa Davis said. "The large green grassy areas are perfect for them to run around on and my little girl absolutely loves the fish in the lily pond."
Three of the rooms are designed with specific colors; red, yellow and white. Each season brings a different shade of rich red for the flowers inside the Red Room.
"Every year ADPI as an annual photo shoot with the new members and we were looking for somewhere new and we couldn't believe the beauty within this garden," Florida Southern sophomore Bayley Brewer said.
The ninth room brings about the importance of sunshine and happiness. It is known to "brighten" anyone's day that enters it.
The white room is a quiet area for meditation and reflection. This room brings out the meaning of purity and serenity.
"The water serves as a thread that connects all the ages that are represented in the garden. Jay Hood and Mr. Hollis were very thoughtful in that specific design, and we preserve it," Hollis Garden foreman Stacy Smith said.
Hollis Garden is open April-August and September-March. The garden is open every Tuesday through Sunday.
Related Links: