With the summer season in full effect, I decided to write my very first blog on the Hamptons which started my love for Hydrangeas. The Hamptons is located on the East End of Long Island, New York, and is the go-to place for those hoping to spot celebrities. Still, it’s also known for its custom homes, main street shopping, night entertainment, Memorial Day all-white parties, beautiful sandy beaches, vineyards, lush green landscaping, and my favorite hydrangeas.
You can find hydrangeas everywhere on the East End including main street shopping areas. You will see beautiful custom homes on the East End, the Hamptons also offer beautiful scenic beaches.
Most homes on the East End have hydrangeas as foundation shrubs.
(foundation plants are installed around the house, close to the walls, under the windows, and beside the doors.)
My love for the hydrangeas began over two decades ago during my first visit to the Hamptons. I was amazed at how wide varieties and colors of hydrangeas could be found on the East End even the nearest gas station was outfitted with beautiful hydrangea blooms. After purchasing my first home in 2012 I knew hydrangeas were the shrub I wanted planted everywhere I could establish them. My property was a total disaster due to neglect from the prior owner. Having a limited budget, offered me the opportunity to “DIY” my backyard and create the Hamptons Oasis retreat that I fell in love with. After careful research and studying as much as I could on the growing habits of hydrangeas, I drew up a site plan and got to work. After digging over a hundred holes and probably making five hundred trips to my local big box stores for shrubs, I was able to turn my nightmare into the retreat that I now look forward to every summer. To help tie in the whole Hamptons "beach house feel" I recovered all my outdoor cushions to a white fabric and I was able to find white patio umbrellas and a hammock to match.
I even hosted my first All-White Party and it was a success!
Where’s the pool? Ok, so I do not have an in-ground pool like most homes on the East End but I have a water fountain and I live fifteen minutes away from Lido Beach which is just as beautiful. So, after 2 years of digging, being covered in dirt from head to toe, and taking ibuprofen every other night, I’m beyond satisfied with my Hamptons DIY Oasis Retreat!
Where is your favorite local summer getaway? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading!
Gloria Cassell
Hamptons, summer, beaches, backyard
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