[PLANT PROFILE] CORNFLOWER

April 23, 2025 Karen Logan

CORNFLOWER

Centaurea cyanus (Bachelor Buttons)

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Late Spring Blues

There’s something magical about walking through the garden in late spring and catching flashes of brilliant cobalt blue dancing in the breeze. That’s the unmistakable charm of Cornflower, also known as Bachelor Buttons, a beloved classic that never goes out of style. Here at Vineyard Gardens, we celebrate this beauty in all its hues: the traditional electric blue, soft pinks and deep purples. As part of Andrew Wiley’s Hardy Annual Project, Cornflower was sown in December to encourage strong root development, and are now ready to be transplanted into your garden.

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) is a true multitasker. It’s stunning in the garden, a joy in a vase, and secretly useful in more ways than one—from herbal tea to bath salts to everlasting bouquets.

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Why You'll Love

Growing Cornflower

They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and bloom abundantly in late spring and early summer.

Easy to grow – Even beginning gardeners will find these flowers rewarding.
Pollinator-friendly – Bees and butterflies love them.
Versatile beauty – Ideal for wildflower meadows, cottage gardens, borders, and containers.
Reseed readily – A delightful thing about cornflowers is they reseed themselves in your garden year after year. Plants that reseed are a gardener’s dream—they pop up at just the right time, fill in bare spots, and help tie the garden together beautifully. Cornflowers, along with larkspur and foxgloves, are excellent reseeders that bring a touch of spontaneity and charm to any garden space.

The blooms grow thigh-high on slender stems and create a whimsical, meadow-like effect when planted in mass.

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Varieties Available

at Vineyard Gardens

We carry a colorful selection of Centaurea cyanus to brighten up your garden beds and bouquets:

Blue Boy – The classic brilliant blue that never disappoints
Select Ultraviolet – A moody, rich purple variety
Lady Mauve – Soft and romantic in pink tones

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Harvesting for

Cut Flowers

Cornflowers make wonderful cut flowers, especially for rustic, natural-style arrangements.

Cut early in the morning, just as the flower is starting to open.
Strip the lower leaves before placing in water.
Change the water every other day to extend vase life.

Cornflowers last around 5–7 days in a vase and pair beautifully with other cottage garden favorites like yarrow, snapdragons, and larkspur.

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Ready to

Grow Your Own?

Whether you're filling a wildflower border or planting for pollinators, cornflowers are the perfect addition to your late spring palette.

Don’t forget to tag us in your cornflower creations. We’d love to see your gardens, bouquets, and dried flower projects!

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Learn About : LARKSPUR

Learn About : SPRING BLOOMS & POLLINATORS

[PLANT PROFILE] AMMI

April 16, 2025 Karen Logan

Ammi and Cosmos ‘Double Click Cranberries”

A Touch of Whimsy

If you've ever wanted your garden to feel like illustrations from a romantic storybook, Ammi is your flower.

Ammi brings a soft, graceful texture to garden beds and bouquets with its lacy, delicate blooms and feathery foliage. It’s like nature’s lace—light, elegant, and full of charm.

At Vineyard Gardens, we’re proud to be part of Andrew Wiley’s Hardy Annual Project, and that means we’ve got strong, healthy Ammi plants just waiting to bring their magic to your garden. These were sown in December, a technique that allows their roots to develop deeply and ensures robust, resilient plants that bloom beautifully in the months ahead

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Ammi Varieties

at Vineyard Gardens

✧ Ammi majus ‘Select White’: Pure white, delicate blooms that resemble Queen Anne’s Lace. They bring a lightness and airiness to garden beds and are breathtaking in wedding bouquets or wildflower-style arrangements.

✧ Ammi visnaga ‘Green Mist’: Soft green-tinted white blooms with a fuller, denser flower head. The perfect filler flower, Green Mist adds a gentle, misty quality to both borders and floral work. Known for its vigorous growth, it can spread easily in the right conditions—great for some gardens, but it might be a bit too assertive in more managed spaces.

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Why Grow Ammi?

Ethereal beauty – Soft, lace-like blooms
Cut Flowers – A must-have for garden-style floral arrangements
Pollinator-friendly – Bees and butterflies adore them
Cold-hardy annuals – Early sowing leads to early blooming!

Ammi bridges the gap between structure and softness—perfect for cottage gardens, naturalistic plantings, and cutting gardens.

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How to Grow

Ammi in Your Garden

Now is the perfect time to plant our winter-sown Ammi —strong and rooted thanks to winter sowing.

Location: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well-drained, average garden soil
Spacing: 9–12 inches apart to allow for their airy shape
Watering: Keep moist during establishment, then water during dry spells

Once established these low maintenance beauties will reward you with tall, graceful stems topped with dreamy blooms from late spring into summer.

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Cut Flower Magic

Ammi’s doily lace form adds movement and softness to any bouquet.

Harvest when about 80% of the tiny flowers in the head have opened.
Cut early in the morning for longest vase life.
Strip lower leaves before placing in water.
Pair with peonies, snapdragons, cosmos, or roses for a garden-gathered look.

Digitalis purpurea, Antirrhinum Potomac Dark Pink with Ammi majus and Ammi visnaga ‘Green Mist’

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What You

Can Do Now

Stop by our nursery to pick up Vineyard Gardens winter sown Ammi
Prep your garden beds for easy transplanting
Tag us in your bouquet and garden photos—we love seeing your Ammi in action!

Fill your garden with the soft lace of Ammi. You'll be amazed how much beauty can come from something so delicate.

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Learn About : SNAPDRAGONS

APRIL GARDENING TIPS

[PLANT PROFILE] LARKSPUR

April 7, 2025 Karen Logan

LARKSPUR

Delphinium consolida

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A Late Spring Spark

Why Hardy Annual Larkspur Deserves a Spot in Your Garden

There’s a certain kind of magic in plants that rely on the cold to gift us beauty just as the world is warming again. Hardy annual larkspur (Delphinium consolida) is one of those graceful gifts. With its feathery foliage, towering spires, and an almost ethereal range of blues, pinks, purples, and whites, larkspur is a must-have for anyone who loves cut flowers or wants to bring a touch of cottage garden charm to their late spring landscape.

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An Annual That

Can Handle A Chill

Unlike many annuals that must wait until after the last frost, larkspur thrives in the early season—it actually needs a cold period to break seed dormancy. As part of Andrew Wiley’s Hardy Annual Project, larkspur was sown in December to encourage strong root development, and those plants are now ready to be transplanted into your garden.

Once established, larkspur sends up strong, straight stems topped with layered blooms that almost look too delicate to be real. But don’t be fooled—these plants are workhorses. Hardy to around 20°, they’ll shrug off chilly spring nights while other flowers are still in their seed trays.

Larkspur QIS Dark Blue with Papaver ‘Amazing Grey’

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Elegance

in the Garden

Hardy annual larkspur is one of those old-soul flowers that rewards a little planning with a lot of beauty. They’re a graceful, low-fuss way to add vertical interest and early color. It thrives in garden beds, wildflower meadows and acts as a natural pollinator magnet. In a world that sometimes feels rushed, there’s something satisfying about planting a flower that asks you to think ahead and to trust the process.

And did we mention color? While larkspur’s deep indigo blues are the most iconic, they also come in pastels.

Antirrhinum Potomac Deep Orange and Larkspur QIS Dark Blue

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A Cut Flower Favorite

For cut flower lovers, larkspur is ideal. The blooms are long-lasting in the vase, and the more you cut, the more the plant gives. Harvest when just a few blossoms at the base of the stem have opened and the rest are still in bud—this way, you get the full bloom show indoors. Some growers swear by a quick dip in boiling water to extend vase life even further.

If you’re dreaming of armfuls of early summer blooms, larkspur might just be your next garden obsession.

They pair beautifully with peonies, sweet peas, bachelor’s buttons, and early roses.

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Growing Tips

🌿 Cool-Season Lovers: Larkspur thrives in cool weather. Plant in early spring best results.

🌿 Support Matters: Provide stakes or netting to keep tall stems upright, especially in breezy spots.

🌿 Harvest at the Right Time: For the longest vase life, cut stems when only the lower third of the blooms have opened—they’ll continue to open from bottom to top.

🌿 Winter-Sown for Summer Beauty: At Vineyard Gardens, our December-sown larkspur are ready to plant now. Early winter sowing helps develop strong roots, setting the stage for full, vibrant summer blooms

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Larkspur

Varieties Available

A member of the Delphinium family, larkspur offers tall, elegant spires of blooms that not only bring drama to any bouquet but will also readily reseed in a sunny garden.

Deep Blue

Fancy Blue Purple
Fancy Rose Striped
Fancy Smokey Eyes
Frosted Skies
Misty Lavender
QIS 'Lilac
QIS 'Pure White'
QIS 'White'

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Learn About : HARDY ANNUALS

Learn About : OUR SPRING SALE

[PLANT PROFILE] SNAPDRAGONS

April 3, 2025 Karen Logan

SNAPDRAGON

Antirrhinum majus

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A Hardy Annual

and an Outstanding

Cut Flower

As a kid, I loved snapdragons. My grandmother taught me how to pinch them just right so their "mouths" would open and close. It felt like a little bit of garden magic, and to this day, snapdragons hold a special place in my heart. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are classic garden favorites, loved for their tall, spiky blooms, vibrant colors and their long blooming season.

Snapdragons bring a touch of childhood magic to the garden!

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Hardy and Resilient

One of the standout features of Snapdragons are their ability to perform exceptionally well in different growing conditions. As a hardy annual, it can tolerate light frosts, making it a great early-season or late-season bloomer. If planted in an area with sun before the warm weather arrives, deadheaded or cut for flowers, they can bloom all summer long. Their adaptability makes them a valuable addition to any garden, where season extension is key.

A hardy annual that thrives in cool weather and extends your flower season.

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Ideal for

Cut Flowers

The 'Potomac Series' takes snapdragons to a whole new level, making them an excellent choice for both long blooming gardens and cut flowers. With strong stems, a long vase life, and the ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, these hardy annuals are a must-grow for anyone who loves cut flowers. Their tall, sturdy stems make them easy to arrange in bouquets and can last 7-10 days in a vase. The Rocket series is another good variety for cuts.

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Growing Tips

Cool-Season Lovers: Plant out in early spring or fall. They thrive in cool weather and may struggle in extreme summer heat.
Support is Key: Provide staking or netting to keep stems upright, especially in windy locations.
Pinch for More Blooms: Pinching young plants encourages bushier growth and more flower-producing stems.
Harvest at the Right Stage: For the longest vase life, cut stems when only the lower third of the flowers have opened. Their blooms open sequentially from bottom to top.
Vineyard Gardens December sown Snapdragons are ready to be planted out. By sowing them in the early winter it ensures a strong root system allowing them to bloom all summer long!

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Snapdragon

Varieties Available

This Season

The Potomac Series (Andrew’s Hardy Annual Project): We have a beautiful selection of Potomac Series snapdragons ready to plant now! Andrew seeded four varieties in December—‘Cherry Rose,’ ‘Dark Orange,’ ‘Potomac White,’ and ‘Royal’—which are in larger pots, with strong root systems and a long blooming season. In addition, we have early-arriving Potomac Snapdragons in 3” black pots in Royal, Pink, Orange, and Cherry Rose. These are the best cut-flower snapdragons we will have this season, and they’re hardened off outside and ready to go.
The Rocket series: These are another good variety for cut flowers. Available in White.
Snaptini series: We are growing this dwarf series that are too short for cut flowers but extremely beautiful and very hardy. 4 packs are available in Red, White and Yellow.
Twinny Peach and the Candy Showers series in Pink and White.

The ‘Potomac Series' is a rewarding flower to grow with their stunning color range, excellent vase life, and ability to withstand cool temperatures. Add these beauties to your garden, and you’ll enjoy their blooms from spring through fall!

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Learn About : HARDY ANNUALS

Learn About : OUR SPRING SALE

HARDY ANNUAL CUT FLOWERS

April 3, 2025 Karen Logan

Ammi visnaga 'Green Mist' a cousin to Queens Anne Lace

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HARDY ANNUAL

CUT FLOWERS

The Delight of Late Spring Bouquets

Have you ever longed for a garden that bursts into bloom early in the season, filled with flowers ready to be cut and arranged, lifting your spirits from the greys of winter? Hardy annuals might just be your new best friend. These resilient flowers thrive in cooler temperatures, one of the first to awaken your landscape as winter fades.

Learn more about Hardy Annuals & Succesion Gardening

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What are

Hardy Annuals?

Hardy annuals are flowers that complete their entire lifecycle—from seed to bloom to seed again—in one growing season. But unlike tender annuals, they can tolerate (and even prefer) the cooler temperatures of early spring and fall. Vineyard Gardens sows theirs in early winter to establish strong roots, rewarding you with a head start on blooms as soon as the temperatures rises.

Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Boy' - ready to plant!

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Favorite Hardy

Annual Cut Flowers

Ready to Plant Today!

Want to get started? Here are some tried-and-true hardy annuals, sown in December at Vineyard Gardens, that are beautiful in your garden and on your table.

Agrostemma : Brings a delicate yet striking presence to garden borders and meadow plantings. Attracts pollinators. Adds ethereal quality to cut flower arrangements.
- Ocean Pearl
- Purple Queen
Ammi Majus ‘Select White’ : Delicate, lacy flowers that resemble Queen Anne’s Lace, adding a whimsical touch.
Ammi visnaga ‘Green Mist’ : Lacy, green-tinted white flower, that resembles Queen Anne’s lace, adding a soft, ethereal touch to garden borders and floral arrangements.
Antirrhinum majus (Snapdragons) Vibrant, long-lasting, and available in a variety of colors. Potomac Series is the best cut-flower snapdragons we will have this season. Hardened off outside and ready to go.
- Cherry Rose
- Dark Orange
- Potomac White
- Royal
Centaurea cyanus (Bachelor’s Buttons): Easy to grow. Frilled blooms atop slender, upright stems. Versatile addition to wildflower meadows, cottage gardens, and floral arrangements..
- Blue Boy
- Select Ultraviolet
- Lady Mauve
Larkspur: In the Delphiniums family, gorgeous flowers that will reseed in your sunny garden. Tall, elegant spires that add drama to any bouquet.
- Deep Blue
- Fancy Blue Purple
- Fancy Rose Striped
- Fancy Smokey Eyes
- Frosted Skies
- Misty Lavender
- QIS 'Lilac
- QIS 'Pure White'
- QIS 'White'
Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet Peas): Delicate tendrils, a sweet fragrance, and endless color options make these an old-fashioned favorite.
Orlaya 'White Lace' : Delicate, lacy white blooms resembling Queen Anne’s Lace. Soft airy appearance. Ready to be planted! A great cut flower.
Papaver commutatum (Lady Bird) : Bright red blooms with striking black spots, these poppies add a bold splash of color to bouquets. While their vase life is short, sealing the cut stem with a quick flame can help prolong their beauty.
Papaver:
- Bridal Silk
- Imperial Pink
- Papaver rhoeas
Salvia horminium : Vibrant, long blooming colorful, papery bracts in shades of pink, purple, and white. Bold color and unique texture add contrast in a cut flower arrangement.
- Pink Sunday
- Blue Monday
Scabiosa : Adds a bold contrast to garden borders and cut flower arrangements while attracting bees and butterflies.
- Black Knight
- Fata Morgana
- Merlot Red
- Oxford Blue

Cutting flowers encourages more blooms, so don’t be shy about filling your vases!

Want to dig deeper? Explore a couple of our favorite varieties below and tips for planting success!

Antirrhinum majus 'Snapdragons'

Lathyrus odoratus 'Sweet Peas'

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A Garden

That Gives Back

There’s something magical about stepping into the garden in late spring early summer, scissors in hand, and gathering a bouquet of homegrown blooms. Hardy annuals make this possible, bridging the gap between winter’s dormancy and the abundance of summer.

So why not carve out a little space in your garden for these cold-tolerant beauties?

Ladybird Poppies, Cornflower, Larkspur [illustration by karen blackerby logan]

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April Garden Tips

Learn more : Early Spring Color

HARDY ANNUALS

March 24, 2025 Karen Logan

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HARDY ANNUALS

The Magic of Succession Gardening

Ever notice a lull in your garden between spring’s bloom and summer’s peak? That’s where hardy annuals shine—seamlessly filling the gaps and keeping the garden alive with color and movement. This technique, known as succession gardening, ensures a continuous display while supporting pollinators.

In December, we seeded a vibrant mix of cornflowers, poppies, Queen Anne’s lace, larkspur, and sweet peas—all carefully timed to establish strong root systems before winter. With early planting (as soon as March or April), these hardy annuals burst into bloom just when the garden needs them most, creating a dynamic, ever-changing landscape.

Learn more about Andrew Wiley's poetic gardening style

Vineyard Gardens Display bed in June filled with hardy annuals and biennials

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Why Hardy Annuals?

Extended bloom time – Last year, poppies planted on March 15 bloomed through July 4!
Strong root systems – Early winter seeding promotes healthier, more resilient plants.
Pollinator-friendly – A rich nectar source when other flowers are scarce.
Seamless integration – They blend naturally into garden beds as perennials take over.

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Best Uses for

Hardy Annuals

🌿 GARDEN BEDS – Hardy Annuals fill empty spaces and create a natural flow with perennials. All the hardy annuals we carry are perfect for your formal or informal flower gardens, landscapes or cottage gardens.

🌿 MASS PLANTINGS – A striking, meadow-like effect with minimal effort.

🌿 CUT FLOWERS – Hardy Annuals are great cut flowers! Below is a selection that are beautiful in your garden and on your table.

Larkspur
Sweet peas
Centaurea (Corn Flowers)
Scabiosa
Snap dragons (Antirrhinum)
Ammi majus/ Ammi majus 'Select White'
Ammi visnaga 'Green Mist'
Agrostemma (Both Colors)
Orlaya
Papaver: You must cauterize them (burn the tip of the stem with a lighter) in order for the bloom to last longer after cut.

🌿 CONTAINERS – Hardy Annuals provide early-season lush foliage and color with a mix of tall and trailing varieties. All the hardy annuals we carry are beautiful in containers.

Tall Plants: Cornflowers (36”), Queen Anne’s Lace, Larkspur
Front of Border/Containers: Asperula orientalis ‘Cloud Nine’ (long-blooming)
Other Selections: Poppies, Bellis, Variegated Vinca

🌿 WINDOW BOXES – Shorter hardy annuals are great for lining the front edge of a window boxes.

Asperula: Bloom mid April through the end of June
Papaver : Bloom May through second week of July

With a little planning, hardy annuals transform a garden’s “quiet moments” into a season of abundance.

Want to dig deeper? Explore a couple of our favorite varieties below and tips for planting success!

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Available Now!

Antirrhinum (Snapdragons) are part of the Potomac series which are excellent cut flowers.
Centaurea cyanus are also known as Bachelor Buttons or Cornflowers.

Larkspur 'Fancy Rose Striped'

Larkspur 'Fancy Smokey Eyes'
Larkspur 'Frosted Skies'
Larkspur 'Misty Lavender'
Larkspur QIS 'Lilac'
Larkspur QIS 'Pure White'
Larkspur QIS 'White'
Orlaya 'White Lace'
Papaver 'Imperial Pink'
Papaver 'Lady Bird'
Papaver rhoeas
Scabiosa 'Black Knight'
Scabiosa 'Fata Morgana'
Scabiosa 'Merlot Red'
Scabiosa 'Oxford Blue'

Agrostemma 'Ocean Pearl'

Agrostemma 'Purple Queen'
Ammi visnaga 'Green Mist'
Ammi majus 'Select White'
Antirrhinum majus 'Cherry Rose'
Antirrhinum majus 'Dark Orange'
Antirrhinum majus 'Potomac White'
Antirrhinum majus 'Royal'
Asperula orientalis
Asperula orientalis ‘Cloud Nine’
Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Boy'
Centaurea cyanus 'Select Ultraviolet'
Centaurea cyanus ‘Lady Mauve”
Larkspur 'Deep Blue'
Larkspur 'Fancy Blue Purple'

Lathyrus odoratus / Sweet Peas

Antirrhinum majus / Snapdragons

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VINEYARD GARDENS

DISPLAY BED

In June our display bed is in it’s full glory filled with hardy annuals and biennials. A tapestry of texture and color.

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spring checklist

need help this spring?

[PLANT PROFILE] SWEET PEAS

March 19, 2025 Karen Logan

SWEET PEAS

Lathyrus odoratus

A Fragrant Climbing Favorite

Sweet peas are a hardy annual that thrive in cool weather and full sun, producing an abundance of blooms from late spring through fall. Their delicate tendrils eagerly climb trellises, fences, or arbors, bringing vibrant color and a light, sweet fragrance to the garden. Reminiscent of classic cottage gardens, their scent and charm make them a favorite among gardeners and flower lovers alike.

Part of Andrew Wiley’s Hardy Annual Seed Project, these sweet peas were sown in the fall to develop stronger roots, resulting in longer-lasting flowers and a more robust growing season. Regular watering, deadheading, and support for climbing will keep them flourishing. When plants reach about 8 inches tall, pinching the central stem encourages more branching and fuller growth.

A top choice for cut flowers, sweet peas look stunning in bouquets and bloom more when harvested regularly. Whether left to climb in the garden or brought indoors, they bring beauty and fragrance wherever they grow.

SWEET PEAS A GREAT CHOICE FOR CUT FLOWERS!

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SOWING

SWEET PEAS

Follow these simple steps to set your plants up for success.

1. Prepare the Soil

Dig a large hole and mix in plenty of compost—sweet peas thrive in rich, well-draining soil.
Choose a sunny spot for the best growth and yield.

2. Planting & Supporting

For best results, plant sweet pea seedlings before they become root-bound to avoid root disturbance.
Provide a support structure like bamboo canes or trellises to help vines climb.

3. Water & Feed

Keep soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, especially as plants begin to grow and flower.
Apply a balanced fertilizer regularly—peas are heavy feeders and need extra nutrients to thrive.

4. Maintenance for Continuous Growth

Deadhead (remove spent blooms) from sweet peas to encourage flowering into late summer or even fall.
Cut Sweet Peas frequently to keep plants producing.

WITH PROPER CARE, YOUR SWEET PEAS WILL REWARD YOU WITH LUSH BLOOMS ALL SEASON LONG!

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NOW AVAILABLE!

A variety of hardy annual Sweet Pea seedlings Andrew sowed in the fall are now ready to be planted out!

High Scent
**Cupanis Original**
**Elegance Lavender**
**April in Paris**
**Raspberry Twirl**
**Queen of Hearts**

**Mermaids Dream**
**Enchante**
**Zinfandel**
**Royal Wedding**
**Watermelon**
**Strawberry Fields**

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spring checklist

need a hand this spring?

[PLANT PROFILE] SALVIAS

June 5, 2024 Karen Logan

SALVIAS

Salvias are North American natives in the mint family. There are over 900 species, both annuals and perennials and a few biennial.

GROWING SALVIA

Salvia flowers come in a variety of colors, but mostly blues and purples. There are some varieties of pinks, fuchsia, white, red and a yellow one we are trying this year. They are easy to grow, easy to care for, deer resistant, bloom abundantly and have long lasting blooms. They do best in full sun and well drained soil. We have a wonderful selection of perennial and annual salvia at the nursery.

THINK OF LATE SUMMER AND FALL EFFECT WHEN PLANTING NOW. THE LATER BLOOMING SEASON EXTENDER SALVIAS CAN DO THAT FOR YOU!

**PLANTING**
**——————**

- Salvias prefer full sun
and well drained soil.
- Dig a hole twice the
diameter of the
container the plant is in.
- Mix in a 3-inch layer of
compost. (Mix the
compost in with the
existing soil.)
- Remove the plant from
its container and place
it in the hole so the
top of the root ball is
level with the soil
surface.
- Space plants 1 to 3 feet
apart, depending on
the variety.
- Carefully fill in around
the plant and firm the
soil gently.
- Always water thoroughly after
planting!

**CARE**
**——————**

- Add a thin layer of
mulch around the plant
to retain moisture
and control weeds.
- Water often and
deeply.
- Dead heading will lead
to more blossoms. Follow
the flower stem all the
way to the base and
cut there.
- Wait until new growth
begins in early spring
to remove old stems.
- Divide every 3 years.
The best time to divide
is in early spring, before
new growth begins.

Salvia are pollinator magnets! Wonderful plants for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

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PERENNIAL SALVIAS

The perennial salvias mostly bloom in early summer and if deadheaded will give a second flush of bloom that same year. The perennial Salvias are blooming now!

Perennial Salvias Available this Year:

Salvia Wind Walker Red

————————
*A perennial species of*
*Salvia that is majestic*
*for it’s size, 4’ tall.*
*Graceful arching stems*
*with brilliant red flowers*
*bloom from late June*
*through fall. Cut this*
*Salvia back to 6” in*
*early summer to keep*
*stems shorter and*
*stronger. Hummingbirds*
*love it! On the Plant*
*Select Program, a native*
*plant group out of*
*Denver Colorado.*

Salvia nemorosa Species

Savatore Blue: Aromatic royal purple/blue spikes adds depth and upright interest to garden beds and planters
Dark Matter
Caradonna
Feathers Peacock
White Profusion
Blue by You
Violet Riot
East Friesland
Blue Marvel
Rose Marvel
Snow Hill

Perennial salvia

Salvia greggi Mirage. A new perennial salvia series we are carrying. We have Mirage Salmon and Mirage Blue
Salvia Midnight Model : striking violet blue flowers in a round, dense clump.
Salvia Evening Attire : Huge, vivid violet blue flowers are packed tightly into a refined habit.
Salvia Moulin Rouge : Huge, rosy pink flowers.
Salvia verticillata ‘Purple Rain’: An oldie but Goody
Salvia sclarea ‘Clary Sage’ : A biennial species of Salvia that we grow from seed. This one is native to the Mediterranean basin. It is very showy with big spikes bearing large colorful bracts that seem to last all summer. This is a big plant! The straight species is pink with darker pink edges.
- Salvia sclarea turkestanica : this variety has white flecks with pink.
Salvia argentea : Commonly called silver sage is a clump-forming biennial with silvery leaves and white flowers
Salvia Lyrical Blue : meadow sage, indigo-blue petals and burgundy accents
Salvia Lyrical Rose
Salvia Rhythm and Blues

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ANNUAL SALVIA:

SEASON EXTENDERS

Plant them now and they will be gorgeous in the fall!

We also carry a vast selection of annual salvias. They are considered season extenders because they bloom all summer and into late fall. Sometimes the Pineapple Sage is still blooming in November! They benefit from being planted early so they can reach full size. Annual Salvia do great in containers or in your garden beds but remember they are annuals so will not come back next year. This year we have a wonderful stock of Salvia Indigo Spires, Salvia guaranitica Black and Blue, Salvia leucantha and Salvia uliginosa. They are referred to as tender Salvias and are good season extenders!

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Annual seed grown Salvias are fabulous garden performers.

(4” and larger pots)

Clary sages (salvia) are grown from seed . These Salvias are a Vineyard Gardens favorite. The bracts are prominent making the flower large and exotic looking. Long lasting blooms. It grows at Monticello.

Salvia horminium Blue Monday (a VG favorite)
Salvia horminium Rose Sundae
Salvia patens Patio Sky Blue

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Salvias grown from plugs

Salvia guaranitica Black and Blue

Salvia Indigo Spires: A deep blue. Will still be blooming in your gardens with the asters and mums in fall.
Salvia Amistad (Andrews recommendation)
Salivia Skyscraper Orange
Salvia Skyscraper Pink
Unplugged Pink
Salvia Rockin Deep Purple
Salvia Rockin Blue Suede Shoes
Salvia Rockin Fuschia
Salvia Wendys Wish: A customer favorite. A hot pink flower.
Salvia Love and Wishes: A customer favorite. Antique shade of pink
Salvia leucantha ‘Mexican Sage’: great season extender. Blooms in October.

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Salvias (sage) in the herb house

Salvia elegans ‘Pineapple Sage’ (annual): Elgens means it is tender and will not overwinter. A great season extender. Does especially well when planted in spring or early summer and allowed to reach full size before bloom. A 4” pot of Pineapple sage will reach 4-5 feet tall and wide in one season. It bears beautiful red spiked flowers in late summer and into the fall. It’s foliage smells like pineapple and can be brewed into a tea.

Salvia officinalis or the culinary sages (perennial)
- The species and Bergarten are the two most popular ones used for culinary purposes.
- Purple Leaf Sage
- Golden Sage
- Tricolor Sage: An very ornamental sage with purple, pink and white leaves.

COOL WEATHER ANNUALS

April 25, 2024 Karen Logan

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JOIN US THIS SATURDAY MORNING

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GARDEN WORKSHOP

COOL WEATHER ANNUALS

SATURDAY APRIL 27TH // 11:00AM // VINEYARD GARDENS

Chris Wiley, owner and expert horticulturist, will be discussing cool weather annuals and their growing conditions.

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COOL WEATHER

HARDY ANNUALS

CENTAUREA ‘CORN FLOWER’ & LADYBIRD POPPIES

We seeded an assortment of hardy annuals last fall, such as Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus), Ladybird poppies (Papaver commutatum), Rose of Heaven (Silene ‘Blue Angel’), Larkspurs (Delphinium), Feverfew, Queen Anne’s Lace (Ammi Majus), Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) and some biennials like Lychnis coronaria, Digitalis purpurea (hybrids) and Verbascums that bloom early and will flower through June and some into July. In addition to blooming in June, these annuals knit together a beautiful planting scheme with the evolving summer perennials.

We have a lot of the red Ladybird Poppy that will be gorgeous in June & July! We also carry the beauty Imperial Pink from Select Seed!

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MAGNOLIA MAY

30% OFF
MAGNOLIA STELLATA ‘Magnolia Royal Star’

Sale runs through May
*This specific magnolia only

TIMING IS KEY IN GARDENING! DON’T WAIT TO GET STARTED!

SUCCESSION GARDENING

March 15, 2024 Karen Logan

Digitalis purpurea illustration by karen blackerby logan

LESSONS IN

SUCCESSION

GARDENING

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There is a time in early summer when groups of perennials are either ending their season or just starting their growth spurts. During this ‘in-between’ period in June, the addition of hardy annuals effectively bridges the blooming gap filling in the empty space of spent perennials. This strategic planting is known as succession gardening, a layered gardening style that has continuous blooms throughout the season. Succession gardening breathes more color, cut flowers, birds and bees into the garden.

We seeded an assortment of hardy annuals last fall, such as Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus), Ladybird poppies (Papaver commutatum), Rose of Heaven (Silene ‘Blue Angel’), Larkspurs, Feverfew, Queen Anne’s Lace (Ammi Majus), Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) and some biennials like Lychnis coronaria, Digitalis purpurea (hybrids) and Verbascums that bloom early and will flower through June and some into July. In addition to blooming in June, these annuals knit together a beautiful planting scheme with the evolving summer perennials.

Hardy annuals can be used both in formal gardens and natural settings.

SUCCESSION GARDENING TIPS

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The flowers of hardy annuals can occupy negative space in June and then the foliage of neighboring perennials fill that space in July.

Hardy annuals are best planted early, typically around mid march, depending on the weather. Planted early they will give you the maximum desired effect.
Vineyard Gardens has a great selection of our fall sown hardy annuals that are available now and ready to plant.
These plants can be directly sown in the spring but will not give you the size, vigor or highly anticipated jaw dropping display due to the warmer temperatures as spring progresses.

Alternatively, hardy annuals can be removed in July and replaced with tender annuals.

Tender annuals include Cosmos, Dahlias, Tagetes, Browalia, Ageratum, Coleus, Impatiens or Cleome.

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[PLANT PROFILE] GERBER DAISIES

June 12, 2023 Karen Logan

GERBER DAISIES

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Vividly colored Gerber Daisies are best planted in spring after all chances of frost have passed. In our zone, they are considered annuals. They bloom beautifully throughout the summer and die off in winter.

***Varieties***

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* Patio Series:
*Tall larger flower*
*Available in two colors.*
* Jaguar Series:
*Short & ornamental*

GROWING TIPS

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* Bred for the outdoors
* Flourish all summer
* Best grown in 7” pots or
larger
* Large bloom size 4”-5”
* Height 15-18” with
flowers

unleash the wild on your yard

doug tallamy

ANNUALS

June 6, 2023 Karen Logan

ANNUALS

Annuals are plants that are glorious during the summer but do not survive the winter. They produce flowers and seeds all in one season and then the mother plant dies. The seed falls to the ground and often germinates the following spring and the next generation of seedlings emerge. Often the seedlings are identical or very similar to the mother but they also can be somewhat different and different from each other, like brothers and sisters. When the plant reseeds in the area where the mother plant was, it is called colonizing. Poppies, Bachelor Buttons, Cleome, Larkspur, Browallia americana and Nigella are annuals that colonize. Some biennials, like foxgloves, do this as well.

Annuals usually have a much longer bloom season than perennials. Some bloom all summer long. Many reseed and colonize.

Calendula Bon Bon mix / A dwarf Calendula blooms all summer in full sun or part shade. Calendula flowers are edible. Other edible flowers to use as garnishes include Bachelor Buttons, Borage Borago officinalis, Nasturtiums and Violas.

Calibracoa Sweet Peach. Annual blooms all summer.

Calendulas(Taller). Taller calendulas make good cut flowers. Edible.

Reseeding Tips

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* Deadheading flowers
***will keep the plant***
***blooming longer. If your***
***goal is for the plant to***
***reseed, stop***
***deadheading later***
***in the season to***
***let the seed mature.***
***Seeds need to mature in***
***order to reseed.***
* Do not mulch heavily
***around the mother plant***
***if you want it to reseed.***
***A lot of annuals need***
***light to germinate.***
* Many people mulch
***their beds after gardens***
***get cleaned up in fall.***
***You should do it lightly***
***or not at all if you want***
***annuals and biennials***
***to germinate.***
***These are details that***
***will enhance reseeding***
***success.***

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Annuals We Have Available

We have many favorites! The tried and true ones are still around.

There are new introductions of cultivars within each of these.

Geraniums / Impatiens / Cosmos / Cleome / Portulacas / Salvias / Marigolds / Alyssum / Ageratums / Nasturtiums / Nicotianas / Dahlias / Asters / Zinnias / Morning Glories / Amaranthus / Gomphrenas / Pentas / Lisianthus / Scabiosa / Snapdragons / Dusty Miller / Callas / Caladiums / Coleus / Agapanthus / Tropical Hibiscus / Fuchsia

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LONG BLOOMING PROVEN WINNER ANNUALS

Argyranthemums / Osteospermums / Lobularias / Calibrachoas / Euphorbia Diamond Frost / Petunias / Torenias / Diascias / Phlox / Verbenas

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LESSER KNOWN ANNUALS THAT ARE STRONG GARDEN PERFORMERS

Browallia americana / Orlaya grandiflora / Ammi majus / Erigeron karvinskianus / Nigella / Ceratotheca triloba / Rhemania angulata / Emilia coccinea / Tithonia / Sanvitalia / Dahlberg Daisies / Daturas Ricinus / Clary Sage (Blue Monday and Pink Sundae) / Tibouchina urvilleana

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RECOMMENDED DEER RESISTANT ANNUALS

Lantanas / Salvias / Daturas / Ricinus

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TRY ADDING ANNUAL VINES TO CONTAINERS & HANGING BASKETS

Mina lobata / Thunbergias / Cobaea scandens (Cup and Saucer Vine) / Mandevilla

Nasturtiums

Salvia Amistad / Salvia Hummingbird / Verbena Vanessa Purple / Nemesia Bluebird / Petunia Vista White / Hippo White Polka Dot / Dichondra / Euphorbia Frost

Dahlia

Cosmos Sonata Pink

Geraniums

Osteospermum Serenity Bronze

Petunia Easy Wave Blue

Portulaca Fuschia

Portulaca Fuchsia

Salpiglossis

Thunbergias

Calla Lily_Zantedeschia Snow Storm

Ipomoea Heavenly Blue

Calibrachoa_Million Bells

Sweet Alyssum

Nicotiana langsdorfii

Coleus

Cleome Senorita Blanca

Cleome Senorita Rosalita

Hibiscus Tropical Jewel Amber

Hibiscus Tropical Jewel Ruby

Lanatana Bandana Mango

Lantana Sunrise Rose

Lantana Bandana Lemon Zest

Lantana Bandera Red

Lantana Lucsious Golden Gate

Lantana Samantha

Tibouchina urvilleana

Tithonia

Eschscholtzia Californica Orange Poppy

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Add annuals to your perennial beds, containers & hanging baskets

Annuals long bloom season offers a consistency in color that defines the border. The reseeding characteristic helps tie the garden together with repeating blooms throughout the bed. They seem to come up between and within the perennials in a random fashion with no apparent pattern. It is best not to overcrowd perennials but you can plant plenty of annuals between your perennials. Learn to identify the seedlings so you don’t pull them out, thinking that they are weeds.