What's New at Bridge Gardens:
July/August 2013
The recent hot weather reminds us that summer is here! Bridge Gardens is the ideal place to spend an afternoon with plenty of shade trees to relax on a summer afternoon. Please stop by the garden and see what is blooming -- everything changes quickly and there's always something new to see. Summer vegetables are plentiful as are the flowers of the season, including the following of note from Garden Manager Rick Bogusch: 
The beautiful white Hydrangea 'Annabelle', with its stunning white flower that can be over 10 inches in diameter and will bloom annually even after a severe pruning or a severely cold winter. Many enthusiasts will use 'Annabelle' as a hedge.
Other Hydrangea varieties to look for are the Hydrangea 'Ayesha.' 'Ayesha' has unforgettable flower heads that open cream-white, then shift to pale blue and light pink. Individual florets are reminiscent of old-fashioned lilac flowers. Some think they look like popcorn. 'Ayesha' has a long-blooming period, starting in midsummer.
 'Fuji Waterfall'- this hydrangea has semi-double ray florets that change from white to pale blue or pink. They are held away from the central petal-less flowers by long stems. 'Fuji Waterfalls' flower clusters cascade from the top down on this 3-4' tall x 6' wide extraordinarily beautiful shrub.
Hydrangea 'Blue Bunny' This Dutch introduction is also known as 'Wim Wenders.' 'Blue Bunny' forms its flower buds on new wood (like the popular 'Endless Summer' hydrangea), so it is a reliable bloomer every year. 'Blue Bunny' provides a drift of blue lacecap flower clusters from midsummer to fall and is a strong and vigorous shrub, similar in size to 'Fuji Waterfall.' Ours is just budding up and should be in bloom by the end of the month.
 Look for the 'Anastasia' Asiatic Lily which is a triumph of lily breeding; 'Anastasia' is an Oriental/Trumpet lily hybrid. Its flowers are numerous and huge and have a luscious spicy-sweet scent that permeates the surrounding area. Growing 4-6' tall, 'Anastasia' is vigorous, persistent and has a long blooming period, starting in mid-July.
Also in the Gardens are some other beautiful lilies: the Lilium 'Miss Libby' is an Oriental/Trumpet lily cross. 'Miss Libby' has pale yellow blooms washed with bronze-tinted cherry,  grows 4-6' tall and is known for its strength and adaptability. All revenue from sales of 'Miss Libby' are donated to the American Cancer Society. The Lilium 'Ice Follies' is a trumpet lily with gigantic white flowers that are deliciously fragrant. It's a robust grower, reaching 5-6', and gets bigger and more floriferous every year.
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 the summer. And "like" us on Facebook -- we'll be posting more and more photos of the Gardens as the season progresses.
Bridge Gardens is Open
Wednesday - Thursday: 12:00 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: noon to dusk
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Become a member today! Call Tom Hobson at 631.283.3195 to join.
$50/individual; $75/family of 4
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Bridge Gardens Fridays at Six Music in the Gardens
Continuing every other Friday beginning August 2nd 6:00 p.m. til duskUpcoming performances
August 2: Joe Hampton with Southold Slip and Matt Wellen
August 16: Charles Certain & Friends
August 30: Joe Hampton and the Kingpins
Visit our online calendar for more info.
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Volunteers Welcome -- All Ages!
If you can spend a few hours to help
water, deadheading and pulling some weeds,
contact our volunteer coordinator, Kathy Kennedy at 631.283.3195, ext. 29.
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Connections in the Gardens
We hope to see everyone this summer for our hands-on workshops.
Watercolors and Sketchbook Workshops with Lois Bender 
Fridays, July & August 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Learn to capture the beauty of Bridge Gardens with watercolor artist and teacher, Lois Bender. Bring your own art supplies (if you have them) and a snack. Visit her website wwwLoisBenderArt.com to learn more information. $45/person For more information and to register, contact Lois at LoisBender@GardenSpiritsNY.com.
Garden to Table with Chef Peter Berley  Wednesday, August 7, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m The Peconic Land Trust is very pleased to host James Beard Award-Winning private chef, educator, and cookbook author Peter Berley at Bridge Gardens for a personal cooking demonstration in the garden! Chef Berley will demonstrate his unique techniques for creating simple yet scrumptious savory bites using freshly picked greens and vegetables direct from the vegetable beds at Bridge Gardens. Enjoy a taste of his creations, and learn more about his highly regarded garden-to-table approach to delicious, healthy eating. $30/person, $15/Bridge Gardens members. Space is limited, reservations required. Reserve today by calling 631.283.3195, ext. 19 or by email to Events@PeconicLandTrust.org. Your Garden, Month by Month: Herbed Vinegars Workshop  Saturday, August 10, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Join the Peconic Land Trust at Bridge Gardens for a fun, hands-on workshop in the herb garden with garden manager Rick Bogusch. The herb garden's culinary bed reaches its peak in August and there's an abundance of herbs for harvesting, many of which are members of the mint family. Rick will guide you in making your own herb-infused vinegars to take home and enjoy at your table. $10/person, free/Bridge Gardens members. Rain or shine. Space is limited, reservations required. Reserve today by calling 631.283.3195, ext. 19 or by email to Events@PeconicLandTrust.org
Fun with Natural Dyes
Wednesday, August 14, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Before the mid-19th century, the vegetable and herb garden was the source for materials used to dye cloth. Today, the market for natural dyes in the fashion indust ry is experiencing resurgence. Visit the herb garden's textile quadrant at Bridge Gardens and learn more about this lesser known aspect of the garden from Manager Rick Bogusch and horticulturalist Jeff Negron. Bring your own pre-washed white t-shirt or bandana and try your hand at dyeing using materials from the garden. Please dress accordingly.
$5/person, free to members of Bridge Gardens. To reserve, call 631.283.3195, ext. 19 or email toEvents@PeconicLandTrust.org. Rain cancels.
on these and other great programs.
~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 
Tickets art $125/person and are on sale now by calling Robin Harris at 631.283.3195 or RHarris@PeconicLandTrust.org. For more information, including information on becoming a sponsor, contact Lisa Pepe at 631.283.3195 ext. 13.  Bridge Gardens Membership Join Bridge Gardens today and receive free admission to Rick's garden talks and Fridays at Six. Join or renew your membership today by contacting Tom Hobson at 631.283.3195 ext. 20. $50/individual; $75/family. |
