Inspiration and a night out at LongHouse Reserve

You've heard of the Orange Bowl and the Super Bowl and all sorts of invitationals, but I'm guessing you never put plants in the same sentence with bowl and invitational. But that's what the folks at LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton are doing as they host the third ON & OFF the Ground invitational and Open Bowls exhibition of planters beginning on June 26, which just happens to be the birthday of a certain garden columnist who shall remain nameless.

Using hand-picked vessels to inspire container garden design, contestants are charged with the artful arrangement of their choice of plants. The competition will be judged by garden furniture designer John Danzer, and also will include a competition of Open Bowls -- decorative objects that can stand alone as focal points in the garden. Danzer's prize-winning urns, baskets of historical design and architectural scale planters also will be on display.

Last year’s winners will be featured on "P. Allen Smith's Garden Home" television show (check local listings).

The fun kicks off at 5:30 p.m., and judging begins at 6:30.Then, weather permitting, stick around for a concert by Aeolus Quintet, part of the Music Festival of the Hamptons. Admission is $20 for the general public, $10 for members.

Tickets: longhouse.org