Bridgehampton architect Preston T. Phillips [below] boasts a discerning roster of tastemaker clients including fashion designer Regina Kravitz, whom he designed a summer home in Southampton for, and painter Lowell Nesbitt, for whom he created the ultimate upstate New York country house. Featured in countless shelter titles, including Southern Accents, Elle Decor, and Architectural Digest, Preston is often lauded as one of the exceptional architects of the East End, but KDHamptons knows about his other passion — caring for his extraordinary gardens of peonies. If you are planning on planting these beautiful fragrant flowers in your Hamptons garden this season [we did!], be sure to follow Preston’s top tips below:

KDHamptons: Ok spill the beans Preston, where do you acquire your big beautiful peonies from?

Preston: Well I acquire my peonies from a grower in Oregon, whose stock is excellent. After which it’s all about the right conditions. Remember, peonies want a lot of sun!

KDHamptons: What are your three top tips for caring for peonies?

Preston T. Phillips: Well drained soil, full sun, and don’t plant them too close together as they don’t like to be crowded.

KDHamptons: When should we have all peonies planted in our Hamptons garden by?

Preston: I think fall planting is best but if you are buying now, be sure to plant before the blooms appear.

KDHamptons: Is there a big “no-no” regarding peonies?

Preston: Yes. The most common mistake I see people make is over fertilizing & watering. Don’t be too anxious for your blooms to appear. Let the plant grow on its own natural schedule.

KDHamptons: Do you cut peonies for arrangements inside? Any tips?

Preston: I always cut fresh peonies for dinner parties, they make sensational arrangements. The vase needs to have a relatively narrow throat, sort of like the wire support rings you use in the garden, to hold the blooms upright. The foliage is also wonderful, so cut longer stems to showcase the green leaves.

KDHamptons: When should we trim the dying blooms on the plant? Or don’t deadhead?

Preston: I deadhead the blooms as soon as they are finished which promotes additional buds.

KDHamptons: Where does your love of gardening come from?

Preston: Through visiting my grandparents farm in Alabama as a child. I would never miss an opportunity to visit my grandparents and work with them in the garden.

KDHamptons: You told me about “swapping” on our garden tour, and I’m looking forward to a peony swap! Please share the backstory with KDHamptons readers?

Preston: Well, swapping is less prevalent now, particularly out here, but in my grandparents’ day that was the only way to add something new to your garden, especially from other regions and climates. When friends and relatives would travel to visit each other, they would bring along a special plant, flower, or seed to share with their hostess. Many of the varieties of flowers that grow in my garden came to me in this fashion. I still give plants to interested friends, also seeds such as Columbine.

KDHamptons: Which part of your garden is your favorite? How many varieties of flowers and plants do you estimate you have?

Preston: That would be like picking a favorite child! Actually the garden beds are designed to bloom at different times of the spring, summer and autumn so each is important in its own way. In winter the Evergreen backdrop is equally important. I really have no idea how many varieties of peonies, heirloom bulbs, Iris and Day Lilies, as well as many “old fashioned” blooming shrubs I have. It’s really a “Country Garden”.

KDHamptons: What is your favorite East End nursery?

Preston: There are many favorites and they are all good for different things. I go to Marders for trees and shrubs, Lynch’s in Southampton for garden staples and perennials. If having a photo shoot or party and “ringers” are needed [particularly around Labor Day when my garden has mostly bloomed out], Eastland Farms in Water Mill always has a huge stock of plants in bloom to use as filler. All three of those nurseries sell a variety of peonies. [PSST! Interestingly, Agway in Bridgehampton is my go-to place for annuals for the same reason ~ always lots of stock in full bloom.]

**Currently working with a client on the first Hamptons home he designed here in 1978, more information on Preston T. Phillips, please go to: [ www.prestontphillips.com ]

**All photos in this feature by Kelli Delaney Kot