“I love seeing the change in the landscape from Southampton to Montauk as the trees open up to the sky”
Your work in Florida harks back to an earlier era of grand estates. How are the Hamptons different?
MN: It’s important to retain the agricultural feeling that has been such an integral part of this region. As opposed to Palm Beach, I don’t particularly love when there’s too much formality in the Hamptons; every day should feel like a weekend.
Do you enjoy working with different plant materials in the Hamptons?
MN: Definitely. I just did this perennial border for a client in Sagaponack, which I haven’t done in a long time. But the client knew what she wanted, and so I tried getting plants that would flower and look great over long periods, including lamium, phlox, hardy geraniums, different varieties of Nepeta, Thalictrum, hollyhocks, and stachys. At my own house in East Hampton, I lost a huge linden tree during Hurricane Irene, which opened up the whole yard. So I did a big flower garden in pink, white, and purple cleomes sprinkled with Verbena bonariensis, and it looks great! Up here, I see plants almost as paint, as opposed to Florida, where the material is more sculptural and visually interesting for a much longer season.
Do you have a favorite natural landscape on the East End?
MN: I love it all. I used to think I hated the woods, but then friends moved there and now I love it. I love the farms by the ocean. I know the traffic on 27 is terrible, but I love seeing the change in the landscape from Southampton to Montauk as the trees open up to the sky. One of my favorite moments is when you drive west, just past Town Line Road, and see the meadow, farm fields, and sky all coming together. I love that moment, and I’m proud of being a part of the Hamptons and Long Island in general.
