Designers Present Third Annual ‘Gardeners Showcase’

Transformed Gardens on View through September

Eleven local nurseries and garden designers, plus the Museum’s corps of volunteer gardeners are taking part in the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s third annual Gardeners Showcase.

They redesigned and transformed garden areas, planted new perennials, annuals, shrubs, and trees—and enhanced the beauty and ambience of William K. Vanderbilt II’s Eagle’s Nest mansion and estate, home of the Museum. The results are on view through September.

The Vanderbilt has reopened its grounds only – not its buildings – to visitors on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission fee: $14 per carload. Members free. Tickets are available ONLINE ONLY. Absolutely NO SALES AT THE GATE. No additional fee to see the gardens.

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All visitors are asked to please wear a mask when unable to maintain 6-feet distancing from others.

Elizabeth Wayland-Morgan, executive director of the Vanderbilt, said “We are grateful for the enthusiastic response of local landscaping and gardening professionals who have volunteered their talents to beautify the historic estate. These floral artisans, as well as our own veteran corps of accomplished volunteer gardeners, have invested their time, labor, and resources. Their enhancements will be enjoyed by thousands of summer visitors.”

Jim Munson, the Museum’s operations supervisor, who created the event, said, “We thought the pandemic might prevent this year’s showcase,” he said. “However, thanks to the undying support and incredible talents of these designers, the showcase has become a reality.

“Many of the gardeners have been affected financially and personally by this health crisis, yet here they all are, once again selflessly giving their time, donations and incredible talents to the Vanderbilt to make it a better place for all. Simply sitting on a bench, listening to the birds and taking in the beauty of the gardens is an absolute gift.”

Participating designers, identified by signage at showcase sites, are:

Carlstrom Landscapes, Inc. (Terrace Pool); Centerport Garden Club (Rose Garden), de Groot Designs, Inc. (front entrance); Designs by Nelson (saltwater pool and balcony planters); Flowers by Friends (Sun Dial Garden and Saltwater Pool); Gro-Girl Horticultural Therapy (Sensory Garden); Haven on Earth Garden Design (Planetarium Garden); Mossy Pine Garden & Landscape Design (Clover Leaf Garden); Pal-O-Mine Equestrian J-STEP Program (Sensory Garden); Trimarchi Landscaping & Design (Courtyard Gardens), Tropic Al (Bell Tower/Bridge Garden); Vanderbilt Volunteer Gardeners (Memorial Garden, Columns Garden, Tent Gardens & Vegetable Garden).

Eagle’s Nest, the spectacular 43-acre waterfront estate of William K. Vanderbilt II (1878-1944), is the home of the Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium.

The Vanderbilt, one of the last remaining Gold Coast estates on the North Shore of Long Island, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each year, the Museum is an increasingly popular destination for history, culture, and education. The Vanderbilt attracts more than 125,000 regional and international travelers each year, including more than 25,000 schoolchildren.