San Benito County has a climate that makes gardening a joy. Outstanding gardens can complete the look of a beautiful home and one of the best examples in Hollister is the magnificent garden at the Hawkins House on South and Monterey Streets. The house was built for Thomas "Warren" Hawkins in 1893. It is now owned by Ken and Barbara Dassel. Ken maintains the beautiful property and has an expert green thumb.The garden has 90 roses, in many varieties. The Dassels also have a vegetable garden and an amazing collection of grafted fruit trees on the property. Sharlene Van Rooy, with the San Benito County Historical Society provided a little more information about the home, " Designed by J. Fairley Wieland, the house is a Queen Anne with Eastlake features including turned posts, balustrade, and a decorated pediment over the entrance. The home was used in the television movie East of Eden starring Jane Seymour."