WHAT TO GROW NOW | Hardy Hibiscus
For gardeners craving a big splash of color, hardy hibiscus, aka rose mallow, delivers towering presence. Unlike their tropical hibiscus cousins, which don’t do well once the mercury dips below 50°F, native rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) attracts pollinators; thrives in full sun; appreciates consistent moisture; and dies back in winter—only to return with a flourish of oversized blooms in summer. Fast growing, these low-maintenance beauties can grow three to seven feet tall and up to four feet wide, adding tropical impact to perennial gardens, hedges, and borders.
Among the standout cultivars, ‘Lord Baltimore’ dazzles with deep red flowers on four-foot stems, while ‘Luna Red’ offers a more compact profile and richly colored blooms perfect for mid-border planting. ‘Strawberry Swirl’ brings a painterly touch with pale pink petals and red centers. For smaller spaces, ‘Disco Belle Pink’ is tidy, floriferous, and long-blooming. For drama with a different silhouette, try scarlet rose mallow (Hibiscus coccineus), a southeastern native with star-shaped crimson flowers and slender, deeply cut foliage.
Any of the hardy cultivars in Proven Winner’s Summerific series are good bets as well, blooming reliably for weeks in high summer. ‘Berry Awesome’ offers soft lavender-pink blooms with dark foliage, while ‘Cookies and Creme’ pairs buttery yellow petals with a bold red eye. Though non-native, hardy Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is much loved for its tall, upright shrub form, and generous show of flowers, which range in color from white and yellow to varying shades of pink and purple. —Monica Michael Willis
ASK AN EXPERT | Natural Swimming Pools
Ed Drohan, of Alter Ecosystem Ponds in Sag Harbor, explains the basics of building a natural swimming pool on the East End.
Natural swimming pools are chemical-free backyard alternatives to traditional pools. The concept originated in Europe, but it’s been catching on over the last decade with upscale American homeowners looking to combine sustainability with style. The appeal’s obvious: Imagine swimming or paddling in your own freshwater pond, complete with koi, water lilies, and dragonflies skimming the surface.
“By code, natural swimming pools are called recreational ponds in the Hamptons,” according to Drohan, who has spent nearly three decades designing and maintaining ponds on the South Fork. “A recreation pond (or any body of water over two feet intended for swimming) is treated like a pool, so as long as it’s within the building envelope, no additional permit is needed.”
For structural integrity and aesthetics, top builders like Drohan begin with a gravel-lined gunite shell surrounded by rocks and wetland plantings. Once everything’s in place, the gravel, aquatic plants, and fish, along with an external pump and skimmer, work together to filter impurities and keep the water moving, much like a spring-fed pond. “You need all the links in the chain. The fish eat bugs and algae, their waste adds nitrogen to feed the aquatic plants, which then help filter the water,” Drohan notes.
“Recreational ponds aren’t for everyone,” cautions Drohan, especially if you’re averse to algae or swimming alongside goldfish. “But there’s a beauty to having a recreational pond versus your typical chlorinated pool,” Drohan says. “You get a backyard swimming hole, plus fish, frogs, birds, and a much bigger bang for your buck in terms of nature.”
COCKTAIL HOUR WITH A TWIST
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere… but why wait? With so many excellent nonalcoholic (NA) libations available, happy hour can happen any time of day.
Craving an Aperol?
Try Lyre’s Italian Spritz ($38), a bright, bittersweet blend of orange and rhubarb that satisfyingly mimics the classic Italian aperitivo.
Poolside pick:
Seedlip’s newest NA spirit, Notas de Agave ($32), delivers a tequila-like essence with vibrant prickly pear, agave, and a vanilla-pepper finish. Serve it on the rocks with Fever Tree Light Indian Tonic and fat wedges of fresh lime.
Garden party favorite:
Seedlip’s Garden 108 is herbaceous and refreshing—perfect for a faux dirty martini with a splash of olive brine.
Celebratory bubbles:
For al fresco gatherings, pour a crisp, bubbly Prosecco-like NA wine, such as Lyre’s Classico ($23), topped with a splash of strawberry-basil or hibiscus-ginger simple syrup from Meadowland’s Sweet Bird Kit ($28).
Santé!