The weekend before I left for Poland, Prague, and Ireland, Kevin joined me for a visit to my home on Lily Pond in East Hampton. The main reason for the trip was an event called Landscape Pleasures, sponsored by the Parrish Art Museum in nearby Southampton. Landscape Pleasures is a wonderful horticultural event – a walk through of eight fantastic private gardens on the Eastern End of Long Island. I simply love seeing amazing gardens.
My own gardens were doing some amazing things themselves, and I got up very early to photograph them. There was a light fog, and the air was filled with the scent of the ocean, which is only a block away. Of course, my roses were doing their glorious thing – blooming!
The entrance gate looking in the direction of the Atlantic Ocean.
Part of the fernery in the garden - everything was thick and beautiful.
The native American variety of wisteria which blooms a week or so
later than the more common Chinese varieties - I love the fat and plump
blooms of purple.
The house in the early mist - you can see how the climbing roses are
just covered with blooms - and the fragrance is unbelievable! 
The circle lawn with the neighbor's great trees beyond is quite a sight - I always think I am in an English park.
The stone walkway through the shade garden is almost too narrow now, but I cannot bare to cut back the viburnums and hydrangeas.
After this week I will have to widen this path - but see how mysterious it looks.
The mossy path, the various green hues of all the shade-loving plants - amazing how things have matured!
Francesca loves looking for squirrels and chipmunks in the garden.
A very large aloe underplanted with dicondra - two of these flank the front stairs.
One errant rose in a garden of pink, peach, apricot, and white! This
is some of the red rootstock onto which most of the old climbers are
grafted. Out came the secateurs - the red rose is now gone. We have
planted the teal blue pots with all kinds of alocasias, lysimachia, and
ferns
One majestic ginko - luckily a very healthy male - has grown so much
that the lawn had to be replaced with a new garden of shade-loving
hostas, ferns, gingers
the double row of hornbeams on either side of the old brick walkway
a gorgeous climber
Another view of the shade garden - on a hot day this area of the garden is always at least ten degrees cooler.
Francesca waiting for something to happen - she is definitely an alert little creature!
Kevin and I decided to make flower arrangements because the roses
were so fantastic - an old white painted iron urn was mounded with
apricot and cream roses.
In a small silver luster urn, I arranged some single white climbers and some centifolias.
I found this very large pink luster ball vase and mounded it with
alchymist roses and some other gorgeous pinkish types. I decided to try
and photograph it - not realizing that no matter what I did or where I
went, I could not rid the 'see all' orb of my persona - a very good
look at the yard, the house, the drive, the lawn, and me!
I took it into the house and tried to hide in a chair, but there I
am right there in the 'mirror' in what some call the 'witch's ball.'
This is a pear tree that has become the rose tree - a pink climber has found a wonderful trellis in the branches of this tree.
a view of the walkway in front of the porch
more of the roses
more roses
Here's the pool when the mist lifted - it looks especially beautiful this year.
This is Carlos helping me move some heavy pots. He used the dolly, which made the transport so much easier.
Francesca - still waiting
I wonder if Heaven looks like Lily Pond? Sure hope so!
Posted by: Nancy | July 01, 2008 at 11:26 PM
The beauty of Lily Pond can be seen in every picture. I am sure this has been said before but thank you again for sharing a private part of you with all of us. That is why we, the viewers, love you and your organization. You are always sharing the best goodies with all of us. Wishing you a fantastic summer!
Posted by: Mona C | July 01, 2008 at 11:37 PM
As much as I always admire all of the parts of this property, somehow it's the hornbeams that make me sick with envy.
It's all insanely beautiful.
Posted by: kt | July 01, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Hi Martha, What spectacular photos of your Lily Pond gardens! All of the flowers, ferns, shade plants and the ginko tree look absolutely fantastic. Alex has been doing a fabulous job caring for your property. I especially love the reflective vases and the photos of Francesca. Where is Sharkey? I'll bet she is out herding the squirrels! I would love to be in that shady area that is 10 degrees cooler right now. Summer has finally arrived here in the Seattle area and everything is finally starting to bloom. I hope you have a pleasant 4th of July in the mountains and at the beach. Thank you so much for sharing. Jan PS I have really enjoyed your Saturday show on FLN- Martha Stewart Green Living. I'm going to look for some of those houseplants that remove toxins from the air. Thanks for the info, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 02, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Your roses are astounding. You have so many wonderful pictures of your garden. Please make a picture book for all of us to enjoy!
Posted by: sushi2 | July 02, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Martha:)
So such Beauty". The pictures cause the mind to travel to another time,like an "olde" garden by a lovely "English" cottage. I could get lost in your garden and be very happy for a long time.
Linda Gail
Posted by: Linda Gail | July 02, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Hi Martha,
Your yard looks so nice. It's great to see everything in full bloom this year. I hope to emulate that type of yard someday.
Posted by: Sean Milton | July 02, 2008 at 12:27 AM
What a wonderful and magnicifent property! I do love your shade garden...just look at all those lush ferns. I am inspired to keep carrying on with my own shade garden. It has three incredible cedars that provide a huge and lovely canopy on hot Summer days. The ferns and astilbe are lush and full this year. The challenges of shade gardening are many but i feel so rewarded at times.
Enjoy all your gardens Martha and, once again, thanks for the incredible photos.
Posted by: Sherey | July 02, 2008 at 12:28 AM
The pictures of your estate are just shear beauty and something to be very proud of.
Posted by: Natalie MacMillan | July 02, 2008 at 12:36 AM
I've been out of town, but it has been fun to catch up on your travels. Your rose gardens in the Hamptons are breathtaking!
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | July 02, 2008 at 12:53 AM
splendid pictures Martha. it looks absolutely gorgeous.
Posted by: neil | July 02, 2008 at 01:59 AM
Wow, this was like a virtual vacation. Much needed and enjoyed. Thanks so much!
Posted by: Marie | July 02, 2008 at 02:19 AM
Divine...! I especially like the photo of the gate with the beautiful trees in the background. :o)
Posted by: Isle Dance | July 02, 2008 at 03:05 AM
Martha, Your gardens are exquisite, perhaps because they are so obviously planted with soul as well as skill. I'm reminded of the words of Joan Chittister: "We are each called to go through life reclaiming the planet an inch at a time until the Garden of Eden grows green again." ES
Posted by: Eralphs | July 02, 2008 at 05:41 AM
A garden blooms even more beautifully, when it is tendered with love and care. Exquisite Climbers (David Austin?) always add that English Garden Ambiance. I would be remiss if I did not mention that I adore the Francesca photos;. she looks like a burnt copper ornament. Cheers!
Posted by: Roderick | July 02, 2008 at 06:12 AM
Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures!With your very hectic life style,a place for you to relax and reflect!You are so generous to share every experience. Thank you
NMM
Posted by: Neoma | July 02, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Every subject you photograph and present on your blog is a mini-visual vacation for me. Many thanks.
Posted by: Vicki from Pittsburgh | July 02, 2008 at 08:22 AM
I hope Francesca gets to chase a squirrel or chipmunk. She is so "ugly" she is cute!! :>) I just love her facial expressions! She reminds me of a dog we once had. BTW, I love the photos too.
Posted by: Beth | July 02, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Martha, I think this is the most intimate look at your East Hampton gardens you've shared to date! What a beautiful space! I have only ever grown Chinese Wisteria but, after seeing your photo, I'm motivated to try my hand at the American variety. I have heard rumors of a forthcoming book all about your homes, including Lily Pond Lane - what a treat that would be for those of us who love these glimpses into your inspiring properties!
Posted by: Kevin L. | July 02, 2008 at 08:57 AM
The stone walkway through the shade garden is beautiful, as is the photo! It looks misty which makes for interesting photos,I think. I love the second view of the shade garden as well. I am a big fan of pathways and you have many nice paths.
Posted by: Laura Nelson | July 02, 2008 at 09:08 AM
A child would love the mysteriousness of the paths, a place to get lost with their imagination. The images were breathtaking....and the rose arrangements fantastic.
A dewy, misty morning wedding would be too stunning there in your magical garden.
Posted by: Angie D from Ohio | July 02, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Thank you Martha for sharing these pictures. Not only am I impressed with the gardens themselves but the fact that the entire Lily Pond property is only 1 acre. It demonstrates that we need not have sprawling estates to accomplish beautiful things.
Posted by: darrell white | July 02, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Loved these. Looks like you had some hot weather everything is just lush!
Posted by: Ladymissgailo | July 02, 2008 at 10:17 AM
It looks positively English! Who needs a visa to England when there's Lily Pond Lane?
It's beautiful. There are so many gorgeous places on the property. Even though it's only about an acre, there is still so much going on. Lovely!
Thanks,
Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | July 02, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Awww, so serene and beautiful.
Also, I want to borrow Francesca for a day ... or, maybe a month!! :)
Posted by: Jodi aka soNOTcool | July 02, 2008 at 10:29 AM