Everything is taking shape at the Gardens. In the inner garden, our native crab apple (Malus coronaria) tree will be blooming in the next few weeks, as pink tulips and giant snowflakes mix it up in the borders during the waning days of the daffodils. Soon, the alliums will be blooming. Color is returning to the landscape.  

 

Come enjoy a late Spring afternoon, and relax on the newly relocated bench under the crab apple -- and see a few old friends who've moved next door. The duck, baby bird and spire topiaries have joined the inner garden plantings!  Our camellia near the garden house is also in full bloom, but only through this weekend (please stop by) and is our featured flower of the month (see below). However, our Japanese woodland peony is just about to bloom . . . there is plenty to see.  

 

   

In the vegetable garden, the spring crops are being harvested -- arugula, spinach and Asian greens. Our upcoming program will focus on what vegetables should be planted now for summer harvesting (see details below). The herb garden is also just starting to fill in. Stay tuned as this special feature of the garden is in full swing come summer and lasts through the fall. 

   

The outer garden is also undergoing change. In addition to the relocation of a few of the topiaries -- the lavender garden is also leaving. As Garden Manager Rick Bogusch put it: "To everything there is a season . . . a time to build, a time to tear down. So it is with the lavender garden, which begins its transformation this year into a new space for growing food." As part of a multi-year plan, Rick and his crew will be planting wheat where the lavender used to grow.  

  

Welcome to our new intern, Christopher Picot. Chris will be working with Rick and  Steve this season. A student at Ohio State University, Chris has a duel major: civil engineering and horticulture. From Akron, Ohio, Chris interned last summer in Sandwich, MA (on Cape Cod) for Heritage Museums and Gardens, where a fellow intern suggested he check out Long Island public gardens -- which has brought him to Bridge Gardens this season. An outdoor enthusiast with an interest in biking and organic gardening, Chris is looking forward to exploring this part of the East Coast. Please stop by and say hi.  

 

  

Camellia

The camellia at Bridge Gardens is one of the new varieties of Camellia Japonica, which is hardy in Zone 6. Called "April Snow," this variety of camellia has white, rose-form flowers in late April through early May and grows 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide in 15 years.

While not fragrant, our camellia sits amongst blooming hyacinths, which provide a great two senses experience. 

 

We hope to see you walking the paths and lawns of Bridge Gardens -- and joining us for one or more of the programs we have planned for May.

Bridge Gardens will be open weekends through May and will begin summer hours Memorial Day weekend (Wednesdays through Sundays).   

  

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Volunteers Welcome -- All Ages! 

If you can spend a few hours to help

us get the grounds and beds ready for visitors,  

little ones join their parents in picking up sticks at the garden

contact our volunteer coordinator,
 Kathy Kennedy at 631.283.3195, ext. 29.   

Weeding, mulching, picking up sticks and branches and raking

 will make the gardens shine!

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Bridge Gardens "Conversations with . . ."  

Thank you to all the speakers and the attendees to this year's series of  

engaging conversations in the gardens. We hope everyone who took  

part this year enjoyed -- and learned -- from our programs with  

Rick Bogusch, Mark Cappellino,  

Katharine Griffiths and Edwina von Gal.   

Rick Bogusch & Katharine Griffiths

We are looking forward to next year's speakers!  

 

We hope to see everyone this summer for our hands-on workshops.  

Your Garden, Month by Month with Rick Bogusch   

Saturday, May 11 

Each month, Garden Manager Rick Bogusch will give gardening tips and answer questions related to specific areas in the garden. This month: "planting for summer bounty." We'll visit the vegetable garden and talk about the plants that should be transitioning into the ground over the next few weeks. Bring your questions and get inspired!  

10:00 to 11:30 am. $5/person, free to members of Bridge Gardens. Program is rain or shine.    

***Save the date and join us on June 8 for Rick's workshop on the Rose Garden!

Greeting Cards for Mom - a Watercolor Class  

Saturday, May 11

Celebrate Mother's Day with an afternoon watercolor class in the Gardens! Paint with your mom or grandmother, or make a special gift for her. Professional watercolor artist and instructor Lois Bender will guide you in creating something to be treasured for years to come!

1:00 to 3:00 pm or 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  $30/person, materials included, prepaid registration required. To register, please contact Lois at loisbender@gardenspiritsny.com.

***Lois' watercolor classes continue on June 15 and 29!

East End Food Revolution Day at the Bridgehampton School Greenhouse  

Friday, May 17 from 5-7 pm

The Peconic Land Trust will be participating in this Bridgehampton community event sponsored by Slow Food East End and the Edible School Garden Group. This is a global day of action for people to make a stand for good food and essential cooking skills created by chef Jamie Oliver. A pot-luck supper, cooking demonstrations, music as well as a screening of the Trust's film "Growing Farmers" will  round out the evening. Frank Trentacoste of Bhumi Farms (one of the new farmers leasing land from the Trust in Amagansett) is Jamie Oliver's "ambassador" for the event on Long Island. Cooking demonstrations with Nadia Ernestus, Bryan Futerman and Bhavani Jaroff, local farmers will be on hand to answer questions, and the Bridgehampton School Marimba Band will provide the music! For more information and to RSVP, visit the Slow Food East End's webpage or facebook page. 

Save the Date: BRUNCH!  

While the season is just getting started, we are already planning for our Labor Day weekend event! Join us on Sunday, September 1 for our second annual BRUNCH, a benefit for Bridge Gardens. We are thrilled that Chef Bryan Futerman and his crew from Foody's will once again be serving up a wonderful array of local food specialties.  

Save the date, tell all your friends and join us for a gastronomic treat  

featuring fresh produce right from the gardens.  

For more information, including information on becoming a sponsor, contact Lisa Pepe at 631.283.3195 ext. 13.   

Bridge Gardens Membership 

The Gardens officially opened for the season on April 6 -- and programming continues through the season with the series, "Your Garden, Month by Month." Join Bridge Gardens today and receive free admission to the series, as well as admission to the Gardens all season long, including Friday's at Six Music in the Gardens. Join or renew your membership today by contacting Tom Hobson at 631.283.3195 ext. 20.
$50/individual; $75/family.