GARDENS GALORE
By Katlean de Monchy–
Guild Hall in East Hampton is bringing back the Garden as Art event on Sunday, September 8. It kicks off with a 10 AM talk by Charlie Marder of Marder’s at the Hilarie and Mitchell Morgan Theater, followed by self-guided tours of five private gardens in Wainscott and East Hampton from noon to 4 PM.
The Marder talk in the theater will include historic photos of one of the properties on the tour, the Woodhouse Playhouse, and should not be missed.
A historic photo of the Woodhouse Playhouse (Photo courtesy of Richard and Mirra Brockman)
The Woodhouse Playhouse on Huntting Lane in East Hampton was built by Guild Hall founder Mrs. Lorenzo E. Woodhouse in 1916. The tour invites you to explore its interior and gardens. This property is noted for its historical significance in the performing arts. The nearly three-acre property includes a pool, a serene fountain and mature trees that have been preserved since the Woodhouse era. It is for sale with Sotheby’s International for $17.5 million.
Another garden, created by Ed Hollander of Hollander Design Landscape Architects, reflects Long Island’s agricultural heritage. It seamlessly links to a Peconic Land Trust area and an agricultural reserve, complete with natural meadows, green roofs, and a stepped garden that encourages biodiversity.
Also on the tour is a garden belonging to Carl Bengtsson and Kathy Sutherland, designed by Harmonia Inc. The contemporary landscape showcases a New York stone entrance with one river birch and hydrangeas, leading to a circular patio with a fire pit, and includes a custom-built treehouse.
A house on Main Street in East Hampton
A hidden gem behind an ivy-covered wall on Main Street in East Hampton includes a 90-year-old crimson weeping Japanese maple, a perennial garden around a croquet court, and a bubbling pond. Originally designed by Galen Williams and now maintained by Elizabeth Gardens, this property also features a putting green and a hidden fort.
The same house on Main Street in East Hampton
Lastly, the gardens at Landscape Details offer an artful blend of intricate stonework, a peaceful meditation pool, and lush plantings that enhance the property’s architecture and ambiance.
It should be noted that the word “gardens” in the description of the day does not mean that all of the properties will be floriferous. Garden here means the entire outdoor areas of the homes, the landscapes, hardscapes, bushes and trees. And while roses will be reblooming now, and black-eyed-susans, dahlias, panicle hydrangeas, some ever-blooming bushes, pots of geraniums and salvia will provide splashes of color, the eye should adjust to the realities of September. There will be no tulips.
Five gardens all unique and accessible this one day for $200 with a discounted rate for members here. It is only $25, if you want to just attend the morning lecture.
(Courtesy Edwina von Gal)
In addition, here is a chance to visit Edwina von Gal’s garden and four others on the Nature Conservancy’s Open Days program on Saturday, August 7 from 10 am to 2 pm. Registration is $10 at the Garden Conservancy.
The list of gardens is the Pomeroy Garden in East Hampton, the Hunnewell Garden in Water Mill, Alexandra Munroe & Robert Rosenkranz Gardens in East Hampton, Marshouse –the Garden of Edwina von Gal in East Hampton, and the Biercuk & Luckey Garden in Wainscott.
Two days of gardens. If you are up for it, that would be ten gardens to visit.
