Mystery Tree

This large tree hangs over the back corner of my yard. I had not paid much attention to the tree till this year when I noticed these long flower clusters hanging under the leaves. The leaves looked like maple, but the bloom was all wrong. I was visiting Floret and she worked it out. The tree is an Oregon Maple.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day Weekend is the start of the summer season in the Hamptons. The ferns out on the porch at Noel & Debbie's house on North Main Street is another sure sign of summer.

Fern Starts

These ferns are just breaking through the winters leaf matter. The lichen covered branch was a nice addition to the shot. We had fiddle heads with lunch yesterday, from Citarella. I would not disturb our local ferns as I enjoy them too much all summer to eat them now.

A Break from Pink

Blue pots seem very popular this season, Lynches' has a huge selection.

The Big Arbor

This arbor at the store Mecox Gardens has the most sumptuous wisteria. I know of no other plant with such large full blooms.

Pink and Gray

When I built my garage I wanted a storage attic that I could stand up in. In the village we have a height limit for free standing buildings, my answer was to sink the garage into the ground with retaining walls where the doors open. This left a spot for some green on the top of the wall. I first tried rhododendron is this spot but they looked too scraggly in the winter so I replaced then with these tighter structured azaleas.

Summer Preparations

There green Beehive shapes are forms I build for the 4th of July parade in Southampton. I will keep you posted as this project progresses.

Some Big Birds

Wild turkeys have become more common in the Southampton area over the last ten years. I recall seeing articles in the Southampton Press about their being reintroduced to the area. They seem to be attracted to the warmth of tarmac and are often seen at the road side.

Barn House

This handsome barn was built as a house from the start. The interior features marvelous loft like spaces and a rich exposed post and beam frame.

BOOM

These Tree Peonies blooms burst open when the rain stopped. The next rain will knock off most of the petals, tree peonies are not rain tolerant. The tea cup was added to show the size of the blooms. The cup is stuck to the top of an ornamental glass walking stick with a wad of gum.

Art Furniture

These one piece steel picnic tables are imported from Belgium. They are each formed from a thick sheet of steel with a choice of finish colors. The tables are for sale at Baywoods in Water Mill. I think they are very cool.

Tough Little Guy

The western side of my home came with a bed of spear mint. This mint seems to invade all in reach. I had also thought that the mints command of the western bed was impenetrable, to my surprise there is an up-start. A bit of Lilly of the Valley has invaded the mint bed.

Signs of Summer

The pool got opened and cleaned yesterday. For a second we got a splash of sun.

The Right Spot

I had a large dead spot at the base of the cherry tree. I though nothing could grow in that tangle of roots. Two years back a planted a patch of Ajuga there. For the last two years it has grown and grown. It is nice to see a happy plant thrive in a "dead spot"

Holiday Planning

I have been asked to help with a float to represent The Southampton Rose Society in the up coming 4th of July Parade. Here is a rose fabric I found and some silk roses that are being looked at for texture and color. 

Flower Suprise

I have been growing this Bay Tree for the last three years. I winters over in the window of the pool house, that seems to give it just the right protection from cold. I was not expecting to see blooms this spring when I moved it back outdoors.

Just an Idea

I built this model of a loft style guest bed with desk for her son's beadroom. We rae still thinking about what to actually build in the room.

Grass Seed

We do not see grass in bloom often. Most lawns are cut too often to get a chance to bloom.

The Canal

This photo of the Shinnecock Canal looking south shows two east bound lanes of RT 27, the lock set that allows boats to pass between the Peconic Bay and Shinnecock Bay and the RR bridge with the new two level train passing. When I first came out the the Hamptons there was a very popular map on many restaurant place mats. The map started at the canal, so as we cross the canal we would say 'we are on the map'

Deep Into Spring

Sure sings of spring: the lilacs are in full bloom, I am going to work in shorts, the roof on the car has been full open and the cover is coming off the pool on Friday.

New to Main Street, Southampton

Main Street Southampton Village got resurfaced this week. On Monday they scraped up the old top. On Tuesday they put down a new surface. It was amazing how fast this process went.

Fiddle Heads

These ostrich Ferns will be fully unfurled in a few weeks. You can see their tight curls rising from the woodland floor. I have eaten fiddle heads from our local greengrocer in past seasons, I was a bit disappointed in the taste, maybe I did not prepare them best.

Side By Side

I think the simple straight forward lines of these two modern barns are very attractive. A few people have experimenented with building them for living space as they feature large open loft-like interiors.

A World of Pinks

There is so much pink about this time of the year. This orchard on Seven Ponds Towd Road has pale pink apple blooms to the left and rich pink peach blooms to in back. I would have guess the later to be cherry, but I spoke with the farmer and he told me peach.

Kansas, Almost

Today this lone farm house set out in the fields could be in Kansas or on most any farm in North America. In a month of so you will know this field is planted in Long Island potatos, not wheat or corn.

Pink Trash

After the last rain most of the blooms from my cherry tree landed on the patio. In a few days they will lose color and get swept up for compost.

Cottage at the Shore

When I hear beach house or bungalow this is the home that comes to my mind. The inside smells of cedar and pine wood. Children end up sleeping on the porch. Clams from North Sea Harbor cooking in chowder, corn from the local North Sea Farm.

Rising Tide

The ornamental rhubarb is growing so fast that the daffodils can barely keep their heads above the rising green tide around them.

All Aglow

This colorful array of lighting is displayed in the window at Revco Electric supply. The display demonstrates the owner's deep knowledge of Italian modern lighting among other things.

Micro Climate

This corner of my back yard has a Magnolia Grandiflora with a Jack-in-the-Pulpit. The Jack was a hitchhiker and came in with the Magnolia. Both plants enjoy the heat from the dryer vent and a steady drip from the AC during the summer. I am not sure how either of these would do without the extras from the house.

Classic Barn

I love this old barn, part of a compound that is now used as a residence. Many of the barns in the Hamptons are set down into the ground, as the prime crop out here is potatos. Potatos store best in  a root cellar.