In response to growing interest in learning how to incorporate native and pollinator plants into existing gardens, the South Fork chapter of the Suffolk Pollinator Alliance hosted its second free self-guided tour on June 20 of five private and three public gardens.
Westhampton Garden Club co-chair Alicia Whitaker and Quogue Wildlife Refuge co-chair Marissa Nelson, assisted by Peggy Begilis and Suzanne Janson, said this was an opportunity to learn directly from a diverse host of gardens in Westhampton, Remsenberg, Quogue and East Quogue.
Our first stop was the Quogue Library's Pollinator Garden, where we signed in and received a list of locations. The library recently underwent renovations and expansions, opening up grounds so WGC members can maintain organic (pesticide-free) and educational pollinator gardens with a variety of native plants that flower at different times throughout the growing season. During the signing session, Adelina Scott, 16, of Westhampton Girl Scouts, handed out 50 milkweed plants, each with an informational tag, that she had grown for her Gold Award project.
The Quogue Gardens we visited on the tour were a great example of how gardeners can change the character of a landscape by removing invasive plants, reducing grass in large planting beds, and planting native plants. The Bay Avenue Native Plant Garden in East Quogue shows how a community garden using native plants has transformed a neglected park, which also inspired other improvements to the park's marina facilities and access to bay views.
Thanks to many supporters, the Butterfly Garden at Quogue Wildlife Refuge is filled with native plants and flowers that attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, making it a special place worth visiting. The garden is free and open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
A homeowner in Quiogue noticed that his land was thriving with wildlife after planting native species, so he began expanding his flower beds each year to include more native species. His next attempt was to border his privet hedge with a mix of native shrubs.
Inspired by entomologist and conservationist Doug Tallamy, a Westhampton homeowner removed as much of his lawn as he could and rewilded his 1.5-acre lot by planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and pollinator-friendly annuals.
Fellow Westhampton resident and “barefoot gardener” Suzanne Ruggles has been a leader in using native plants for 35 years because they're environmentally friendly, easy to care for and safe for the soil, air and water.
The Remsenberg homeowners reimagined their property with an English-style garden with a wide variety of native plants grown with ecological horticultural techniques, and also created an example of how to use native plants within the framework of a formal garden with raised flower beds and rose arbors.
Inspired by the response, tour organizers are planning to return to the tour in 2025.
Lynda Confessore is the public relations chair and board member for the Westhampton Garden Club and all of its committees, events and activities.
