FEATURES

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Feathery evergreen Leyland Cypress is his signature hedge. He introduced it to Hamptons gardening after falling in love with it several years ago in New Zealand. Socia surmised that with our milder winters, and if put in a protected spot, it would thrive here. With his magical pruning technique, he keeps it sheared. And on his own property, it stands proud and beautiful between his pool and the staging area. This is the exciting place beyond the hedge where lilac-colored tree carts fight for space with the gorgeous array of plants and trees that he has hand-picked for his customers.

He dots his serene scenes in a curiously refined yet physical manner, using red cedar, heretofore a material primarily associated with fence posts. Because this native juniper is available, doesn't rot and is pretty and fragrant, it has become his timber of choice. Using the cedar to its fullest advantage, he autographs his wooden structures by capturing a special balance between stylistic periods (like Orientalism) and a classicism not usually associated with raw wood.

Call it a touch—a knack—an internal sense of rhythm. Socia's choices are uniquely his: an herb garden is a long stroll from the kitchen, but secretly situated at the end of a shadowy allee. The amusing twig furniture that sets the mood as you enter his ever-growing compound is oversize—gigantic!—and playful. What he refers to as the Rose Garden also has palm trees and is peppered with lush foliate vines—looking like no other boring rose garden that you have ever seen. Socia's style is softer than architecture, less contrived than an "arty" garden and much more interesting than the result when nature is left to her own devices.