Specialty Garden Centers in the Hamptons

The Hamptons has many wonderful Garden Centers. From annuals, perennials, shrubs, fruit trees, and large/rare trees, to tropical, native, and deer resistant plants, there is a wide variety of plant species to choose from. Some Garden Centers also have charming Gift Shops offering a selection of pottery, birdhouses, sculptures, garden tools, and garden ornaments. In addition, many are full service Garden Centers, featuring expert horticulturalists, landscape architects, designers, and soil scientists on staff to help you design your own garden and landscape to suit your individual taste and needs. Here are some specialty Garden Centers in the Hamptons to help get you started.

Lynch’s Garden Center at 175 North Sea Road in Southampton has been in business for over 80 years, now owned by Midge Fowler since 2015. Featuring an extensive selection of natives, tropicals, hardy trees, fruit trees, shrubs, orchids, perennials, annuals, herbs, garden vegetables, and aquatics. They carry native plants such as Redbud, Pennsylvania Sedge, Inkberry, and Bayberry. They have a variety of deer resistant plants, including Catmint, Russian Sage, and Boxwood. Their plants Butterfly Weed, Bee Balm, and Hyssop attract beneficial pollinators. They also offer a vast selection of pottery as well as a gift shop featuring unique giftware such as birdhouses, wind chimes, soaps, candles, and a full range of garden center tools and supplies. They take pride in their outstanding customer service. Midge says, “There is something for everybody here.” Open year-round.

Marders Garden Shop at 120 Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton, located in a large 19th century barn, began 41 years ago by Charles and Kathleen Marder. They are a destination Garden Store, including a Gift Shop featuring items such as garden gifts, scarves, candles, and jewelry. About one-half of their 80-acre nursery is large/rare trees. They have the widest variety and depth of plants in the area, including giant trees up to 90 feet in height with root balls up to 15 feet in diameter and can transplant trees with root balls up to 30+ feet on site. They have expert horticulturalists and a soil scientist on staff. Featuring their own exclusive composted soil mixes as well as a variety of fertilizers and grass seeds – all organic or non-synthetic. Charlie advises, “To get your garden ready now, start by feeding the soil!” Open year-round.

Unlimited Earth Care at 2249 Scuttle Hole Road in Bridgehampton was founded in 1993 by Brazilian landscape designer Frederico Azevedo. Garden products and accessories are selected with the most avant-garde designs, including sculptures, tools, and lighting, receiving awards in different fairs and exhibitions around the globe. They offer landscape design, installation, maintenance, and lawn care services. They also carry a selection of seasonal flowers, native and succulent plants. They have been working with organic farms specializing in native plants over the past 20 years. The unique variety of products, designers, plants, and growers places them beyond a simple garden shop into literally a concept store. Frederico believes, “Native plants along with the right design and soil preparation addresses the full spectrum of sustainability issues as part of their mission, including being water-wise, not using herbicides, preserving natural areas, and creating wildlife habitats.” Open year-round.

Whitmore Gardens at 26 Montauk Highway in Amagansett, is a full service Garden Center operating for over 40 years. They offer landscape design and installation and also full garden and lawn maintenance services. They have a wide range of plant material. Featuring annuals and perennials like geraniums and nepeta; trees and shrubs like the popular boxwoods and hydrangeas; to more uncommon varieties like Asimina triloba or Pawpaw tree. They also have a selection of really amazing specimen plant material. They have an outstanding staff of landscape architects, designers, and horticulturists. Chini Whitmore recommends, “In designing an eco-friendly landscape: use native plant species and plants that encourage pollinators, use organic fertilizers and pesticides that will promote soil health; create edible landscapes; and have a compost system.” Open from mid-March to the end of December.

The Bayberry Garden House & Landscaping at 50 Montauk Highway in Amagansett, with its signature wisteria covered steep roofed cottage, is spread out over 12 landscaped acres offering visitors inspiration for their own gardens and properties. Operating since 1959, the sales staff and designers draw on 58 years of accumulated knowledge and experience when assisting retail customers and design clients. A full range of services from retail shopping to consultation, landscape design, installation, and maintenance are available. Bayberry carries a full spectrum of plants in many sizes including shade and flowering trees, evergreens for screening, flowering and evergreen shrubs, perennials and annuals. Also in stock a selection of tropical plants, native plants, and deer resistant varieties such as Bayberry and American Holly. A large selection of pottery, garden ornaments, and outdoor furniture is on display in the gift shop and throughout the grounds. Designer Ken Pascual remarks, “Design and installation projects range from small intimate terrace settings and eco-friendly gardens to large ponds and multi-acre estates.” Open seasonally from April through October. Design services available year-round.

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. You can plant trees, shrubs, and perennials as soon as the ground is not frozen. Here on the East End, the general rule is to wait until after the last frost date of May 15 for planting annuals and tropical plants. Groundcovers can be planted throughout the growing season, but do best when planted in the spring. Celebrate the season by visiting your local Garden Center and get some expert advice for designing your own garden.