Marshall Watson Takes Us Behind The Hamptons Horticultural Scene

Marshall Watson sets the same goal for landscapes as he does for interiors: “Peace, proportion, practicality—and romance.” When home in Springs, he can be found pottering in his garden, which includes fruit trees, a potager and a monarch butterfly garden, among other delights. So inspiring is his handiwork that it graces the cover of Blue Carreon’s new book, The Gardens of the Hamptons, whose July release prompted LUXE to tap Watson for his horticultural need-to-know.

Get social: I’m on the board of the Garden Conservancy, which promotes the preservation of private gardens. There are many other groups to join, too: the Garden Club of East Hampton, the Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons, the Southampton Rose Society and the East Hampton Historical Society, where you’ll find me in charge of Rachel’s Garden, an 18 th -century dooryard garden at Mulford Farm.

Excursion time: Judith Leiber’s sculpture garden is like a secret; also, Madoo, LongHouse Reserve, Sylvester Manor and the LandCraft Garden Foundation. And the coolest of the cool visit the bohemian Arts Center at Duck Creek.

Inspiration station: The organic community gardens at Bridge Trust and Quail Hill Farm are inspirational, as are the Mimi Meehan Native Plant Garden and Amber Waves, a teaching farm. And don’t miss the little rose garden at Rogers Memorial Library.

Treat yourself: For annuals and perennials, try Fowler’s Garden Center, and for herbs and tomato plants, Whittendale’s Florist & Greenhouses. For cut flowers, Bridgehampton Florist, Buckley’s Flower Shop and Lilee Fell Flowers. Marders is a plantsman’s dream, with gifts like Japanese tools, and East Hampton Gardens is cute as a button with interesting pots and topiary.