A Busy Day in East Hampton, New York
As many of you know, my work schedule is very busy - lots of media appearances, special events, and book signings, but it’s always a treat when my travels take me to nearby East Hampton, New York.
Last weekend, Kevin Sharkey and I conducted a book signing at BookHampton, a quaint, popular and longtime book shop located on Main Street, right in the village of East Hampton. It was a joy to sign books for many of my neighbors and friends in the area. I also hosted a cocktail party at the ERES boutique to preview the store’s summer collection. And of course, I spent time at Lily Pond, my East Hampton home. The gardens are looking spectacular this time of year - so full of color and life.
Here are some photos - enjoy.
-
- This picture was taken early in the morning – the best time to take garden photos. The circle and round turn at the end of the driveway are planted with pink saucer magnolias, and many ferns. The green is so bold next to the light colored gravel.
-
- The rounded trees are parrotia persica, or Persian ironwood. Native of northern Iran, its leaves turn a rich purple to brilliant red. Its bark has a flaking, peeling nature, giving the tree a colorful and unusual appearance. I planted four of these Parrotia persica trees and they have grown magnificently over the years.
-
- Looking at another section of the garden are the full perennial beds filled with ageratum, delphinium, salvia, lavender, and bordered with lady’s mantle.
-
- In this garden, I planted Japanese maples, aruncus, solomon seals, boxwoods, ferns and hostas – they’re looking so beautiful and full.
-
- The Japanese maples have done very well – I expect they will thrive for years to come.
-
- Here is another view of the garden path and these shade loving plants.
-
- The double row of hornbeams on either side of the old brick walkway appear so much taller every time I visit.
-
- This garden surrounds a Ginkgo biloba tree. Luckily, all the Ginkgo trees I planted 25-years ago in East Hampton were male, so they do not drop all the billions of berries that the giant Bedford tree does. I planted this garden with red Japanese maples, hostas, ferns, and more boxwood.
-
- The swimming pool in the backyard at Lily Pond is adorned with aqua glazed strawberry pots which are planted with many different succulents, colocasia and rhapsis, the broadleaf “Lady Palm”. The tall shrubs are European hornbeam. The smaller shrubs are boxwood.
-
- And here – young, white clematis fill the trellis gate with cheerful white blooms.
-
- These blooms are so big and showy. They have such bright white petals that curve gently at the tips with sunny yellow anthers.
-
- Later that morning, we headed to town. It was nice to see so many guests already lined up in front of BookHampton when we arrived.
-
- BookHampton is open year-round and often features fun, lively events with interesting authors.
-
- Inside, there were stacks of “Martha’s Flowers” for guests to purchase.
-
- Kevin and I signed dozens and dozens of books. As a longtime resident, I always enjoy doing events in East Hampton.
-
- Here are some very happy “Martha’s Flowers” owners.
-
- And as always, I try to take as many photos as possible with guests who attend our signings.
-
- Here are Lindsey Groginski, from our own public relations team, and Eryn Voight, who does public relations for Clarkson Potter.
-
- Here, Kevin and I are joined by local radio personality, “Big Fat Joey”, Joe Palmisano, and his family.
-
- And here I am with our security officer, Ed – he also loves flowers, and I was so happy to personally sign a book for him and his fiancee.
-
- Before leaving Kevin and I posed for this fun snapshot with the BookHampton staff. Store manager, Jess Bartel, and the entire team were so nice and helpful.
-
- Later that day, I hosted a cocktail party at ERES to celebrate the boutique’s newest collections. Here I am with owner, Lorna Dreher, and some of our guests. Everyone, of course, loved seeing my dogs, 11-week old puppy, Emperor Han, Creme Brulee and Empress Qin. Bete Noire was also there getting lots of attention. It was a great day in East Hampton.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
