Inspirations from LongHouse Gardens for Your Own Backyard
May 31, 2012 | At Home
The unofficial start of the summer has passed and East End properties are playing host to al-fresco dining, poolside parties, and lawns full of family and friends. An inviting outdoor space creates the perfect backdrop for these seasonal soirees, and LongHouse Reserve serves as the go-to spot to be inspired for your own garden.
Famed textile designer, notable author, and art collector Jack Lenor Larsen founded LongHouse in 1991, today a botanical gem nestled on 16 acres in East Hampton. A visit will have you looking for ways to incorporate LongHouse-esque elements into your own landscaping designs. Here are a few of my favorite cues:
CRYPTOMERIA: This evergreen flanks the long driveway to the private residence, creating privacy and a quintessential Hamptons hedgerow. It’s dense, looks lush year-round, and is generally deer-resistant.
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES: A perennial garden that requires little work, adds beautiful texture, and allows one to easily maintain vegetation (isn't on the "gourmet lunch" menu for deer) is demonstrated in the ornamental grasses at LongHouse. I was so inspired by my visit that I have now strategically placed ornamental grasses on my property to mask items like pool boxes.
RHODODENDRONS: These flowers are a wonderful way to add an evergreen and pop of color to a yard. The green leaves give visual interest during the winter months, and the flowering blooms create a display of colors in the late spring/early summer. One caveat—deer have a fondness for this shrub, so proper placement is necessary.
Whether you're a garden enthusiast or have a landscaping crew, LongHouse Reserve is a source for brilliant ideas that work well in your backyard. LongHouse is now open for the season through October 7. Plan your visit accordingly, as the property is a private estate with public garden hours Wednesday and Saturday from 2-5 PM in June, and Wednesday through Saturday in July and August from 2-5 PM. 133 Hands Creek Rd., East Hampton, 604-5330
—LISA EHRLICH
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA EHRLICH
Hamptontoes is a blog by interior designer Lisa Ehrlich, who shares her musings on all things interior design related, along with tidbits for living a happy and stylish life. Stay tuned for bi-weekly blog posts on décor, entertaining, and her take on the Hamptons.
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