Annual Hamptons Garden Party Returning Over Memorial Day Weekend

Some of the most spectacular blooms will be showcased at Mulford Farm in East Hampton on Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25 as part of the Garden Club of East Hampton’s annual Garden Party and Plant Sale.

The eye-catching display will commence on Friday evening with the Garden Party and Silent Auction. From 6 to 8 p.m., partygoers will have the chance to not only admire the extraordinary selection of annuals, perennials, herbs, geraniums and gorgeous orchid arrangements, but also beautify their own home by purchasing the flowers and plants. For those looking to spruce up their outdoor oasis, but not sure what would work best, there will be Garden Club experts on hand to chat about the collection which was selected especially for East Hampton’s Zone 7 climate.

The evening will also offer the opportunity to bid on an impressive assemblage of silent auction items, including golf packages from the East End’s most exclusive clubs, vacation home stays, art, plants in containers and many other items donated from local retailers, and there will also be a tasty array of hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Then, on Saturday, the remaining plants will be available for purchase during the Plant Sale, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“Proceeds from the event will go toward the 11 Community Gardens and projects maintained and designed by our members for East Hampton,” Debbie Druker of the Garden Club of the East Hampton relayed.

The Garden Club of East Hampton was founded in 1914 and has been a member of The Garden Club of America since 1915. The organization’s mission is to “restore, improve and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and civic improvements.” The Memorial Day weekend benefit is the Club’s sole fundraiser, and proceeds back initiatives in beautification, education and conservation in East Hampton, as well as on the state and national levels.

Throughout the years, the Club has been responsible for installing The Mimi Meehan Native Plant Garden, Rachel’s Historic Dooryard Garden at Mulford Farm, the Janice S. Brightwell Heritage Apple Trees at Mulford Farm, the Brick Courtyard Garden at the East Hampton Library, the Mary Nimmo Moran Garden at the Thomas and Mary Nimmo Moran Studio, the Millstone Garden Park on Main Street, the Pollinator Garden at the East Hampton Town Hall, the East Hampton Post Office, the Railroad Station roses and plantings, and the Nature Trail, which they also maintain thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers. For the Nature Trail and Railroad Station, the Ladies Village Improvement Society (LVIS) lend their green thumbs to ensure those two spots stay in tiptop shape.

GCEH, in partnership with the Town of East Hampton, also manages the Amagansett Orchid Conservation Project and aids with water quality testing of local waterways, with a focus on Big Reed Pond. Each year, GCEH interns embark on a yearlong project working with Montauk’s Third House Nature Center to examine the Montauk pond and it’s nearby flora and fauna. To honor their hard work, GCEH awards the teens a scholarship.

Tickets to the Garden Party is $50 per person and admission to the Plant Sale is free.

Mulford Farm is located at 10 James Lane in East Hampton. For more information, visit gceasthampton.org.