The warm weather has picked up since Memorial Day weekend, the plants are blooming and the rain we've had has been beneficial -- although we could use a little more. The plantings in the gardens are responding, and I think that is certainly linked to the fact that we are planting more and more native plants. One example is marsh mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos), also known as rose mallow (pictured right in pre-bloom), which grows in average to moist, even swampy soils. It has large, disk-like pink flowers from July to September and is native to Long Island and throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.  Here in the gardens it is planted with Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans). a native grass commonly found on Long Island. 



 

The herb garden is lush and very productive at this point in the season. The culinary bed boasts a beautiful patch of fennel, we have a thistle-like plant called cardoon, and the many oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, celeriac and dill plants are looking their best. 

This season-long pollinator garden really comes into its own, especially the textile and dyeing bed.  As spring bloomers fade, they are replaced by many members of the Daisy family, all great dye plants. In addition, sunflowers, marguerite, daisy, zinnia, marigolds, coreopsis, dahlia and more all make great dye plants and provide summer interest to the herb garden.



Acanthus spinosus or bear's breeches always elicits comments -- maybe because at this time of year it greets visitors as they pass the gates into the Inner Garden. It's difficult not to notice the tall spikes of white flowers with mauve bracts as you walk along the brick pathway.  Acanthus has been around for millennia -- its leaves are the motif for the tops of Corinthian columns -- and are often carved into the legs of fine furniture.



While Bridge Gardens is full of colorful flowers, we also have many plants whose main attraction are their leaves and textures. People often forget that green is a color, too, and that there are many shades of green. Using a bright chartreuse green in a shady area brings light in, a useful strategy employed by the shade gardener.



Stepping away from the planting beds, the lawns are noticeably lush and thick, and are dotted with clover -- they are ready to welcome you for our first of two music nights this Friday, July 15. Charles Certain and Friends, a perennial favorite, will once again play for your enjoyment, starting at 6pm. It's a good night to enjoy the benefits of your membership, as members get in free!



I also want to extend a very special thank you to our team of volunteers who've stepped up to help with weeding, watering, dead-heading, and helping as docents for large garden tours, including friends from the Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons . . . this has been a busy season, with many local and regional garden groups coming by for visits. It has been my pleasure to host these avid gardeners, and I hope that you will add Bridge Gardens to your garden club's list for a future tour! If you are interested, let me know -- we'd love to schedule a tour of the gardens with you.



Tuesday mornings are also a busy time this summer when the Children's Museum of the East End's campers come to visit for their "CMEE Garden" program . . . it's wonderful to spend time with these budding, young gardeners! 

 Community Garden Update 

        

We have many programs planned for the Summer and Fall, including a new monthly series we are calling: Fridays at Four: Tasting and Tour.  Please join us as we partner with local winemakers, brewers and more for a series of tours of the garden accompanied by a local beverage. It's a great way to start the weekend!  

$20/person. $10/Bridge Gardens members. Space is limited. RSVP by calling 631.283.3195 or Events@PeconicLandTrust.org