About Us

Hopewell has been in the same family for four generations. The house, designed by architect John Lawrence in the early sixties, is a true 60’s classic. Kit and Mark Grote, the present owners, began the garden in the late 80’s planting mostly native plants from Johnny Mayronne’s Natives Nursery in Covington, LA.

Over the years they have collected plants from many parts of the country. Some unusual ones are Davidia involucrata (Dove tree), Cryptomeria Black Dragon and numerous grasses. Kit has a collection of several gingers plus many other perennial plants purchased from Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge, LA over a fifteen-year span. Some additional nurseries are West Farm Franklinton, LA, Deerfield Folsom, LA, Inwood Garden Covington, LA, Doug Yong Forest Hill, LA.

The garden has two small ponds. One is an old cattle tank from the St. Benedictine Abbey just across the road from the property. This is incorporated with a minimal steel basin that mimics the form of the adjoining sculpture. Scattered throughout the garden are several of Marks sculptures.

Mark now a retired professor from Loyola University has participated in teaching for the Fulbright Foundation and has had numerous European exchanges, as gardeners the Grote’s have been mindful of their observations of English gardens mixing structure with an undulating free-flow planting.

Katrina toppled over 100 trees offering the Grote’s more opportunity to expand the garden. Nature continues to open up new possibilities for future planting.

Hopewell Garden
75343 River Rd.
Covington, LA 70435

The garden is open from May 30th to October 30th
Saturday and Sunday
By appointment only
504-628-4187