If you’ve ever driven along West Avon Road and found yourself slowing down, maybe even craning your neck a little, you already know Chrissie and John D’Esopo’s garden.

It spills with color. It feels abundant. It looks, in the best possible way, like it might be too much for a single yard to hold. Most people just know it as the Flower House.

Long before “Instagrammable gardens” were a thing, Chrissie was opening her home to the public. Not as a business, and certainly not as a brand. Simply as an invitation: come walk, look, enjoy, and in the process, help support local causes.

What began as garden tours grew into a beloved tradition. Visitors wandered winding paths lined with overflowing annuals, rare conifers, and wild topiaries sculpted into personalities all their own. Proceeds went directly to community organizations like domestic violence shelters, arts groups, schools, and libraries that rely on steady grassroots support.

At times, sharing went even further. Chrissie and her husband hosted gourmet dinners at their home, donating every dollar of proceeds to charity while covering the food costs themselves. Guests came for the experience, but left knowing their evening out had quietly helped someone else’s life become a little more stable, a little more hopeful.

For many Avon residents, memories of the Flower House make them smile, even if they have never walked through the gates. The garden still offers something simple and powerful: a moment of wonder while passing by, and a reminder that something lovely exists right here.

We usually drop into your inbox on Sunday mornings, but we are popping in early today because you actually have a chance to step inside. Chrissie and John are opening their gates to the public today, Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

You get an extra treat this time, too. In addition to the three acres of botanical wonderland, the D’Esopos are opening up their restored 1810 historic home. They saved the house from a wrecking ball forty years ago, and it is packed with incredible antique collections and eclectic artwork.

Stepping onto the property, you quickly realize Chrissie D’Esopo didn’t set out to build a landmark. She set out to grow a garden.

In doing so, she and John grew a legacy of quiet generosity, one season at a time. In a world that often celebrates the loudest changemakers, the Flower House tells a different story: that sometimes the most meaningful impact begins with planting something small, and choosing, again and again, to share the results.

Quick Prep for Today:

Here’s what’s on deck this week around the Valley — mark your calendars!

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