PERENNIALS FOR SHADE

July 15, 2026 Karen Logan

Brightening the Shady Garden with Summer Perennials

Many gardeners feel limited by a lack of sunlight, but a shady yard is an incredible opportunity to play with dramatic textures, architectural foliage, and soft summer colors. If your garden is currently too dark, you don't necessarily need to cut down your beautiful trees, simply "limbing up" lower branches or thinning out a dense canopy can let in the perfect amount of dappled light. Conversely, if you have a full sun bed and want to grow some of these shade-loving gems, planting a few small understory trees or large shrubs will add instant height, visual interest, and the necessary canopy.

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Plants that evolved in the forest understory often sport larger leaves to capture every bit of available sunlight (think Hostas, Rodgersias, Astilbes, and Heuchera). Most shade perennials will actually thrive with a bit more sun, provided they get enough water. The reverse, however, is not true: sun-loving plants placed in the deep shade will quickly grow weak, long, and leggy. For the best results, give your shade plants a rich, moist, but well-drained soil.

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Hosta

Sanguisorba ‘Lilac Squirrel’

Astilbe

Alchemilla, Lady's Mantle

Astilbe Pumila

Anenome

Clematis Boulevard Acropolis

Clematis Sweet Autumn

Ferns

Athyrium Brilliance

Osmunda regalis

Filipendula Kahome

Geranium Max Frei

Geranium Rozanne

Heuchera Dolce Cherry Truffles

Heuchera Berry Smoothie

Heuchera Primo Wild Rose

Heuchera Snow Angel

Hosta Frech Fries

Thalictrum Black Stockings

Thalictrum flavum glaucum

Euphorbia

Foamflower

DEER RESISTANT PERENNIALS FOR SHADE

If deer are a constant pressure on your property, you can still achieve a lush, flowering oasis. These summer-blooming varieties are rarely bothered by wildlife:

Astilbes: Add vibrant pops of color to darker corners with their feather-like plumes, available in a range of sizes and shades.

Heucheras (Coral Bells): While they bloom beautifully for 3–4 weeks in midsummer, they are primarily grown for their foliage. From deep bronzes and dramatic purples to bright lime greens and reds, their color stands out all season.
Everblooming Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra): Unlike their traditional cousin (Dicentra spectabilis), which blooms only in spring and goes completely dormant in summer heat, the everblooming varieties will flower continuously from early summer straight into late summer while gently spreading.
Ferns, Rodgersia, & Thalictrum (Meadow Rue): Outstanding selections that offer structural foliage deer naturally avoid.

PERENNIALS GROUNDCOVERS FOR SHADE

Why spend money on bark mulch every year when you can carpet the bare ground with beautiful living plants? These options thrive and spread efficiently in partial to full shade:

Pachysandra: The ultimate groundcover for deep, dry shade where little else will grow.
Asarum (Wild Ginger), & Epimedium (Barrenwort): Excellent, low-maintenance choices to create a dense green carpet under trees.
Perennial Geraniums (Cranesbill): Incredibly tough and reliable. 'Rozanne' is our top-selling variety for its nonstop violet-blue blooms. We also highly recommend 'Album' (pure white flowers) and 'Karmina' (pink flowers with spectacular, rich autumn foliage).
Bellflowers (Campanula): Campanulas are fantastic choices for partial shade. Depending on your garden's specific architecture, we carry a wide variety of habits.

Our Go-To Shade Favorites

When you stop by the nursery, ask us about any of these favorites, we’ll help you find the perfect match for your garden's unique conditions.

Alchemilla (Lady's Mantle)
Epimedium (Barrenwort)
Ligularia
Anemone (Windflower)
Euphorbia (Spurge)
Pachysandra
Asarum (Wild Ginger)
Ferns (All Varieties)
Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal)
Astilbe
Foxglove (Digitalis)
Rodgersia
Cimicifuga (Bugbane)
Galium (Sweet Woodruff)
Sanguisorba (Burnet)
Clematis (Select Varieties)
Geranium (Cranesbill)
Thalictrum (Meadow Rue)
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
Hakonechloa (Forest Grass)

SHADE LOVER: ASTILBE

POLLINATOR MONTH: NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

SHADE LOVER: HEUCHERA

FILIPENDULA

July 6, 2026 Karen Logan

FILIPENDULA

Meadowsweet / Queen of the Prairie

If you are looking for a perennial that delivers sensational structure, lush foliage, and cloud-like summer blooms all at once, Filipendula is your plant. Valued equally for its deeply lobed leaves and its astilbe-like flower panicles, Filipendula is an absolute must have in the summer garden.

Growing Conditions

Most Filipendula varieties thrive in average, medium-to-wet, well-drained soil and prefer a spot in full sun to part shade. They are particularly exceptional for those troublesome damp areas of the yard where other perennials struggle with wet feet.

A highlight of midsummer!

Filipendula ‘Kahome’ (front) & Filipendula ‘Queen of the Prarie’ (back)

FILIPENDULA VARIETIES

Depending on your landscape, Filipendula offers two completely different scales to design with.

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Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta Magnifica’ (Queen of the Prairie)

This is a bold, architectural plant designed to make a massive statement. In early to mid-summer, it erupts with wide, dramatic panicles of tiny, fragrant, pale pink flowers.

Height: Grows up to 6–8 feet tall (though often slightly shorter in average garden soils).
Bloom Time: June to August.
Sun/Soil: Full sun to part shade; medium to wet soil. While it is native to consistently moist soils, it is incredibly resilient and will still perform well in average garden soils.
Best Garden Uses: Perfect for the rear of perennial borders, cottage gardens, native plant restoration areas, wet meadows, naturalized along the moist banks of streams and ponds, rain gardens or massing.
Native Region of Species plant: Northeastern Highlands of US / Not Ecotypic in New England

Queen of the Prairie is spectacular when planted in large masses. Because of its height, it serves as the perfect living backdrop for mid-sized summer perennials.

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Filipendula ‘Kahome’ (Dwarf Meadowsweet)

If you love the look of Queen of the Prairie but have a smaller garden space, 'Kahome' is your perfect match. This upright, clump-forming dwarf perennial offers the exact same fluffy charm on a miniature scale.

Height: A compact 8–12 inches tall.
Bloom Time: June to July.
Sun/Soil: Full sun to part shade; medium to wet soil.
Best Garden Uses: Front of the border accents, small cottage gardens, and damp rock gardens. Its dwarf size makes it a fantastic choice to mass together as a lush, flowering ground cover.

Ecological Benefits

Beyond its visual appeal, adding Filipendula to your landscape supports a healthy local ecosystem.

Pollinator Magnet: Highly attractive to butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial pollinators during the peak of midsummer.
Deer Resistant: Deer typically pass by Filipendula, making it a reliable choice for properties with high wildlife browsing pressure.

Bring Filipendula into Your Garden

Whether you need an 8-foot focal point to anchor a wet meadow or a tough, 12-inch flowering ground cover for a damp border, Filipendula fills the gap beautifully. Stop by the nursery this week to see their stunning foliage in person and find the perfect spot for them in your yard!

JULY GARDEN TIPS

IN THE WEEDS

June 22, 2026 Karen Logan

Weeding is an inevitable part of gardening, but it doesn't have to consume your entire summer. Over the years, we have developed a few tried and true tricks that drastically reduce weed pressure, keeping your beds looking pristine with a fraction of the effort. Here is how we manage weeds in both the vegetable garden and perennial borders.

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In the Vegetable Garden

Vegetable gardens thrive when soil disruption is kept to a minimum, and managing the foot traffic paths between your crops is half the battle.

Take a standard 3-foot-wide woven weed mat, fold or cut it in half lengthwise, and anchor it securely down between your planting rows. This creates a clean, 1.5-foot-wide walking path that completely suppresses weeds where you step.
Keep the edge of the weed mat tucked as close to the base of your vegetable stems as possible.
When a crop finishes and it’s time to replant that row, simply fold the mat back out of the way, prep the soil, plant your new starts, and flip the mat right back into place.
If you prefer not to use metal landscape staples, weighting the edges down with rocks works perfectly and adds a nice, rustic look to the patch.

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In the Perennial Garden

Perennial gardens require a slightly more nuanced approach than vegetable rows, as you are working with permanent root systems and evolving seasonal plants.

The absolute golden rule of weeding is speed. Get the weeds while they are young and small. At this stage, their root systems are not yet established, making them incredibly easy to pull out with a gentle tug.
Instead of waiting for weeds to mature, get into the habit of lightly disturbing the soil surface with your trowel on a regular basis. This quick, shallow cultivation disrupts and destroys tiny weed seedlings before they can take hold. Cultivating introduces air into the soil, which promotes healthy root respiration for your perennials.
If you love the clean, uniform look of mulch, you can double its effectiveness with a simple bio-degradable barrier. Lay down layers of folded, matte (non-glossy) newspaper directly over the soil before spreading your mulch on top. The newspaper creates an impenetrable light barrier that suffocates existing weed seeds, slowly breaking down into rich organic matter over the season.
Perhaps the most effective way to keep weeds down permanently is to leave them no room to grow. Fill empty gaps in your landscape by densely planting annuals or interplanting perennial groundcovers. When desirable plants claim the space and sunlight, weed seeds simply cannot germinate.

PERENNIAL GROUNDCOVERS

SUCCESSION GARDENING

PERENNIAL GROUNDCOVERS

June 15, 2026 Karen Logan

Virginia Bluebells [photo by keith kurman]

LIVING MULCH:

Perennial

Groundcovers

When it comes to creating a low-maintenance landscape, low-growing, ground-hugging perennial plants are nature’s best defense against weeds. Instead of continually buying and spreading mulch every spring, planting a "living mulch" of groundcovers brings not only more color and texture but vital food and shelter for local insects and birds. They can even serve as a beautiful alternative to traditional grass lawns.

When you choose native groundcovers, care becomes even easier, requiring no supplemental fertilizer and only minimal watering once established. Many selections are fully evergreen, providing reliable winter coverage and essential erosion control. Whether you are dealing with a baking, full-sun slope or a deep, dry canopy of shade, there is a perfect groundcover for the job.

Try planting ground covers at the base of your shrubs instead of mulching. Ground covers are very effective at keeping weeds out and moisture in!

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Groundcovers for Shade to Part-Shade

These woodland-loving plants thrive in partial to full shade, great for planting under tree canopies and around established shrubs.

Exceptional Foliage

Native Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia): A spectacular native beauty that features delicate, frosted foliage and airy spikes of white flowers in spring.
European Ginger (Asarum europaeum): A slow-spreading perennial grown for its remarkably shiny, leathery, rounded leaves. It features hidden spring flowers tucked entirely beneath the foliage that are uniquely pollinated by ants! Evergreen.
Barrenwort (Epimedium): A highly less-common groundcover that is incredibly tough once established, thriving effortlessly in dry shade where other plants struggle.
Pachysandra: While Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) is an industry standard, our favorite is our Allegheny Spurge (Pachysandra procumbens), a gorgeous Eastern US alternative with beautifully mottled, matte-green leaves. Both are excellent evergreen choices.
Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae): A highly deer-resistant, evergreen option that spreads vigorously via underground stolons. It sends up striking 18-inch stalks of chartreuse blooms in the spring and appreciates protection from the hot afternoon sun.

Spring Bloomers

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum): A fine-textured carpet that covers the ground with small, starry white flowers from spring through early summer. It spreads vigorously via shallow side shoots, making it an ideal border accent. Because it isn't aggressive, spring-blooming bulbs can easily push right up through it.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica): A classic choice that forms large clumps of soft blue, bell-shaped flowers in the spring. Virginia Bluebells go completely dormant and disappear by mid-summer. Always plant them in combination with later-emerging perennials, which will seamlessly fill the empty space later in the season.
Native Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis): A stunning, trailing native groundcover in the dogwood family. It features classic white four-petaled flowers in late spring / early summer, followed by bright clusters of showy red autumn berries.

**Virginia Bluebells (*Mertensia virginica*)**

Native Ferns (Excellent Massers)

Ferns spread beautifully to create lush carpets in damp or dappled shade:

Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris): Tall, dramatic, and spreads rapidly via runners to fill large spaces.
Hay-Scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctiloba): A fast-spreading, native ground-covering fern that releases a beautiful aroma resembling fresh-cut hay when brushed against.
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides): A glossy, deep green native fern that stays fully evergreen through the winter months.
And there are many more!

Groundcovers for Sun to Partial Shade

These sun-loving groundcovers are perfect for open borders, rock gardens, path edgings, and areas that get hit with hot afternoon sun.

Pussytoes (Antennaria spp.): A fantastic, low-growing native groundcover that thrives in dry, sunny, and nutrient-poor soils. It features soft, fuzzy, silver-green foliage that adds a beautiful, light-reflecting texture to the landscape. In the spring, it produces unique, soft white flower heads that resemble the pads of a cat's paw. It serves as a great native alternative to non-native lamb's ear and is exceptionally tough once established.
Creeping & Woolly Thymes (Thymus spp.): The ultimate choice for hot, sunny, well-drained spaces or planting between stepping stones.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum calycinum): A true pollinator magnet that produces massive amounts of yellow flowers. It spreads vigorously via underground stems and handles partial shade well, though more sun equals more flowers!
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): An incredibly tough, classic native groundcover. It forms a low-profile, woody, evergreen mat that thrives in sandy, coastal soils where little else will grow.
Prairie Smoke / Avens (Geum triflorum): An excellent, ultra-hardy ground cover. While the spring flowers are lovely, it is best known for its spectacular, feathery, pink neon seed heads that look like puffs of smoke rising from the garden bed.
Persicaria: A fantastic choice for late-season interest. This vigorous, stoloniferous spreader features an exceptionally long bloom window from July all the way into October.
Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis / Laurentia) & Pratia: Two fascinating, ultra-low, mat-forming plants that function beautifully as a lawn alternative, filling in completely around flagstones and handling light foot traffic.

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SUCCESSION

GARDENING

AS A GROUNDCOVER

While traditional groundcovers spread outward via stolons or runners to blanket a flat surface, there is another dynamic approach to coverage known as succession gardening. Instead of relying on a single plant to cover a patch of earth all year long, succession planting uses a choreographed sequence of growth where late-emerging, large-leafed perennials rise up to seamlessly replace early-season plants that have finished blooming and gone dormant.

Though these structural plants may not trail along the ground, they function perfectly as a groundcover by ensuring that the soil is never left bare, vulnerable to erosion, or open to opportunistic weeds. Even better, this layered, multi-species approach dramatically increases the overall biodiversity of the garden, offering varied nectars and pollens for different local pollinators as the seasons shift.

The Great Dixter Inspiration

This sophisticated method of choreographing overlapping plant lifecycles is a concept being perfected at the world-renowned Great Dixter House and Gardens in England, where Andrew completed an immersive internship. Andrew has been refining this technique, naturally weaving together plants to create this beautiful succession within our island ecosystem.

Gorgeous combination of Thalictrum ‘Elin,’ Aquilegia, Euphorbia x pseudovirgata and the leaf and seed pod of Paeonia delavayi

How it Works

The magic of succession gardening lies in pairing "ephemerals" plants that put on a spectacular early-spring show and then completely disappear in the summer heat with late-emerging structural companions. Instead of looking at yellowing bulb foliage or empty dirt patches, these late-blooming perennials push right through the fading greenery, covering it completely so you never have to cut it back manually.

Soft, Early-Season Coverups

Pair spring bulbs with soft, mounding textures that come up in early summer. Let the spring perennials foliage be naturally covered up by the expanding leaves of Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) or the dense, clean mounds of White Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum 'Album').

The Woodland Understory

True woodland ephemerals are built to bloom before the forest canopy leafs out, meaning they vanish entirely by mid-summer. Spring favorites like Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis), native Trilliums, and Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon) leave noticeable gaps when they go dormant. Succession plants that slowly emerge from the soil and then unfurl their leaves when the spring bloomers begin to fade covering up the empty space. Good succession plants are Hostas, Heuchera villosa 'Autumn Bride', Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) or Bigleaf Aster (Eurybia macrophylla).

Larger Structural Plants

Larger spring bulbs and structural perennials leave behind heavy, messy foliage that requires a more robust plant to successfully mask. Large bulbs like Daffodils (Narcissus), Camassia, and Autumn Crocus (Colchicum) can be easily hidden away using towering, architectural late-bloomers like Meadow Rue (Thalictrum), Goat's Beard (Aruncus), or Bugbane/Cohosh (Cimicifuga). A structural giant like Thalictrum will weave its wiry stems right up through the messy, collapsing bulb foliage, completely hiding it from view while throwing up airy lace-like blooms later in the summer.

Late-Season Plants

When mapping out your succession layout, these are some top late-emerging perennials to plant right alongside your spring bulbs and ephemerals to ensure continuous ground coverage:

For Architectural Foliage: Rodgersia, ornamental rhubarb (Rheum), and the smoky, feathery plumes of Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum').
For Structural Summer Blooms: Burnet (Sanguisorbia), Monkshood (Aconitum), dramatic Foxgloves (Digitalis), and highly resilient Wood Spurge (Euphorbia).

By pairing the early risers with the late bloomers, your garden becomes a self-managing, living tapestry that protects the soil, smothers the weeds, adds vital food sources and keeps the landscape visually beautiful throughout the entire growing season!

NATIVE GROUNDCOVERS

ECOLOGICAL GARDENING

POLLINATOR GARDENING

June 10, 2026 Karen Logan

Cephalanthus occidentalis, Buttonbush [photo by karen blackerby logan]

POLLINATION

DYNAMICS

Generalists vs Specialists

Do you want your garden to come alive this summer with bees, butterflies, birds and beneficial insects?

To create a thriving sanctuary, let’s look closely at how nature feeds itself. In the world of pollination, insects generally fall into two different categories: generalists and specialists. Understanding the difference is the secret to unlocking local biodiversity in your backyard.

While many gardeners are familiar with generalist pollinators that visit any colorful flower, regional conservation research shows that a healthy ecosystem depends on specialist relationships as well. Think of generalist pollinators, like bumblebees or standard honeybees that are perfectly happy foraging across a massive variety of different flowers.

Specialists, on the other hand, are strictly tied to specific native plant families. According to data from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE), roughly 25% of our native bee species are pollen specialists. Over thousands of years, these insects have co-evolved alongside specific native plants. They require pollen from specific native plant genera to feed their larvae. Without these specific plants, their reproductive cycle fails. If that exact native plant isn't in your neighborhood, those specialist bees simply cannot survive. A garden filled with non-native flowers might look pretty, but to a quarter of our native pollinators, it is a food desert.

Pollination is complex, co-evolved partnerships between insects and their host plants.

Great Golden Digger Wasp on Monarda punctata Spotted beebalm one of it’s favorite native nectar sources [photo by karen blackerby logan]

Mason Bee (generalist) on High Bush Blueberry [photo by karen blackerby logan]

Monarch on Swamp Milkweed [photo by karen blackerby logan]

Larval Specialists

The Wild Seed Project highlights that specialization extends far beyond bees to butterflies, beetles and moths as well. While adult butterflies are nectar generalists, their caterpillars are strictly host-plant specific, meaning they can only digest the leaves of the exact native plants they co-evolved with. Because a female butterfly will only lay her eggs on these specific hosts, losing the plants means losing the butterflies entirely. The Monarch's total reliance on milkweed is the classic example, but hundreds of our local species share these exact same strict dependencies. Many native beetles are obligate host-plant specialists relying entirely on specific plant families for their food, shelter, and reproductive lifecycle.

Monarch caterpillar on Common Milkweed [photo by karen blackerby logan]

Monarch on Common Milkweed [photo by karen blackerby logan]

Moths, Beetles & Bats: Nightime Pollinators

Did you know that moths, beetles and bats are actually powerhouse pollinators? Recent research shows they are incredibly efficient at keeping our ecosystems healthy, tracking down native plants using specialized evening scents of specific native plants. This is where the magic of a native moon garden comes in. Curated specifically to come alive at dusk, storing the sun’s energy during the day and the flowers open up in the evening. A moon garden uses white or pale flowers and silvery foliage to reflect the moonlight, and their strong, sweet fragrances act as a natural runway guide for nocturnal pollinators. By planting native favorites like Evening Primrose, Sweet Pepperbush, and Swamp Milkweed, you can create an enchanting evening landscape that feeds the moths once the sun sets.

Clethra (Sweet Pepperbush) [photo by karen blackerby logan]

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The Magic of Pollination

Our pollinator friends are performing one of the most magical reproductive partnerships.

Flowers offer sweet nectar and protein-rich pollen as an invitation. As an insect lands to eat, sticky pollen grains hitch a ride on its fuzzy legs and body. When it flies to the next bloom, some of that pollen rubs off onto the female part of the flower (called the stigma). From there, a tiny microscopic miracle takes place: the pollen grain grows a tiny tube that tunnels all the way down the center of the flower (style) into the ovary, fertilizing the egg inside. That fertilized egg transforms into an embryo wrapped safely inside a seed. As the seeds develop, the flower's ovary swells up to protect them and that swollen structure is the fruit!

Take a Closer Look: Next time you bite into a fresh summer strawberry, take a peek at the outside. Those tiny "seeds" on the exterior, and the microscopic hairs attached to them, are the direct remnants of the exact moment a tiny pollinator visited that flower weeks ago!

[Videos] Allium buzzing with bees. Oak Leaf Hydrangeas on the Highline in NYC.

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Why Native

Plants Matter

By introducing native "keystone" plants into our yards we are actively protecting these ancient, irreplaceable relationships.

This beautiful, interconnected cycle is exactly why native plants matter so much. Because some pollinators rely on very specific plants to complete their life cycles, choosing native species is the single most important thing you can do for your landscape. Native plants have co-evolved alongside local pollinators for thousands of years, making them the absolute best hosts for supporting their life cycles.

Lately, there has been an inspiring surge of understanding around the importance of caring for the native ecosystem through native plants to protect our pollinators. More and more of our customers are looking to grow pollinator-friendly gardens and actively cultivate a healthy, native landscape right in their own backyards. To meet this need, horticulturalists are continually conducting ongoing research and field trials on plants that stand out as true pollinator favorites.

At Vineyard Gardens, we’re passionate about helping you create vibrant, pollinator-friendly gardens using native and well-researched perennials. Whether you're starting entirely fresh or enhancing an existing, established landscape, your choices make a real, measurable difference for pollinator health and biodiversity.

Not sure where to begin? Check out the Cape Cod Native Plants website for a fantastic online tool to help you select the right plants for your site conditions.

Learn more : Native Plant List / Cape & The Islands

Learn more: Native Plant Finder / National Wildlife Federation

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Pollinator

Power Plants:

Our Favorite Perennials

Here’s a list of powerhouse plants that will invite pollinators and energize your garden all season long:

Mondarda, Spotted Beebalm [photo by karen blackerby logan]

Native Pollinator Perennial :

Ageratum (Coelestinum)
Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium ‘Gateway’)
Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum)
Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Mallow ‘Rose’ (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolius)
Woods Purple Aster (Eurybia divaricata)
Baptisia (Baptisia australis)
Beebalm (Monarda didyma)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata)
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

Pollinator Perennials:

Agastache (‘Kudos’ Coral, Ambrosia, Mandarin, Blue Fortune, Black Adder, Little Adder)
Bluebeard (Caryopteris)
Coneflower (Echinacea) – Sombrero Series, White Swan, Green Twister
Coreopsis – Solanna™ Bright Touch, UpTick™ Gold & Bronze
Goldenrod (Solidago)
Lavender (Lavandula)
Milkweed (Asclepias)
Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Salvia
Perennial Sunflower (Helianthus)
Stonecrop (Sedum)
Yarrow (Achillea)

Sedum, Butterfly Milkweed, Quickfire Hydrangea

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POLLINATOR FRIENDLY SHRUBS

Native Pollinator Shrubs:

Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Beach Plum (Prunus maritima)
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)
American Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis)
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina)
Willow (Salix)
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Pollinator Shrubs:

Double File Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum)
Fothergilla
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Ninebark (Physocarpus)
Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum)

Buttonbush [photo by karen blackerby logan]

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry [photo by karen blackerby logan]

Elderberry [photo by karen blackerby logan]

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POLLINATOR FRIENDLY TREES

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis Pendula) [photo by keith kurman]

Native Pollinator Trees:

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
White Oak (Quercus alba)
American Holly (Ilex opaca)
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Magnolia virginiana
Dogwoods – Gray, Silky, Red-twig, Pagoda, Flowering

Additional Pollinator Trees:

Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem')
Stewartia

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READY FOR

POLLINATOR

GUESTS THIS

SUMMER?

Let your garden be a living, blooming, buzzing celebration of life.

Visit us at Vineyard Gardens to explore our selection of native and pollinator-friendly plants.

Native Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) [photo by karen blackerby logan]

St. John’s Wort & Cleome (pollinators and deer resistant) [photo by keith kurman]

NATIVE POLLINATOR RESOURCES

HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARK: DOUG TALLAMY

ASTILBE

June 9, 2026 Karen Logan

ASTILBE

Bring Vibrant Texture and Color to Your Shade Garden

GROWING ASTILBE

If you have a shady corner where other flowering plants refuse to thrive, Astilbe is a wonderful solution. These spectacular, clump-forming perennials illuminate dark garden beds with bold swaths of color and intricate texture from late spring through mid-summer.

Astilbes are instantly recognizable by their feathery, plume-like flowers, which come in rich shades of red, pink, lavender, purple, and crisp white. But the beauty doesn't stop at the blossoms, their glossy, fern-like foliage is equally striking, showing off hues of deep green, bronze, and copper-brown. While they are historically celebrated as deer-resistant additions to the landscape, local island deer have occasionally been spotted snacking on them recently, so it's always wise to keep an eye on them!

ASTIBLE ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES!

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COMPANION PLANTING

Perfect Combinations for Moisture & Shade

Astilbes love company, provided their neighbors share their love of cool roots and afternoon shade. They are fantastic for attracting butterflies to the garden! To create a lush, multi-layered look, try pairing them with these moisture-loving favorites:

Shrubs: Hydrangeas or Hypericum (St. John's Wort).
Perennials: Rodgersia (Roger’s Flower), Snakeroot (Cimicifuga/Actaea), Meadow Rue (Thalictrum), and a diverse mix of hardy ferns.

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CARE

Skip the Deadheading!

With most summer perennials, gardeners are trained to consistently snip off faded flowers to trigger a second flush of blooms. Astilbe is the exception. Cutting back spent Astilbe blooms won’t bring more flowers, and you’ll actually miss out on a key attribute! Their dried, copper-toned flower heads possess immense ornamental value and structure. We recommend leaving them standing to add architectural interest to your borders clear into autumn, though you can cut them down at any time if you prefer a tidier look.

Soil & Sun: Plant in partial to full shade. They absolutely thrive in a loamy, humus-rich soil that holds moisture well.
Watering: Check your plants regularly. Astilbes require plenty of water and consistent moisture. Water deeply to promote a robust, resilient root system and protect them from scorching afternoon sun.
Feeding: Apply a high-quality organic fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges.
Dividing: Astilbes are robust growers that quickly form broad clumps. Divide your overgrown clumps every 3 to 4 years in the spring.

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Astilbe Varieties

Vineyard Gardens carries 25 to 30 different cultivars at the nursery, offering an incredible range of heights, bloom times, and colors. Here are a few standout favorites to look for on your next visit:

Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila': A fantastic, low-growing variety that spreads to form a dense, weed-suppressing ground cover. (10” tall)
Astilbe 'Hennie Graafland': A lovely, delicate dwarf variety perfect for front-of-the-border edging. (12”–18” tall)
Astilbe 'Montgomery': Features deep red plumes over dark, bronze-tinted foliage. (20"–24” tall)
Astilbe chinensis 'Superba': One of our absolute tallest pink selections, making a massive architectural statement. (24”–48” tall)
Astilbe chinensis 'Mighty Red Quin': A robust, towering giant featuring massive, ruby-red plumes late in the season. (39”–47” tall)
Other varieties we regularly stock include: Erika, Mighty Pip, Purple Candles, Bressingham Beauty, Delft Lace, Little Visions in Pink, Straussenfeder (Ostrich Plume), Deutschland, Visions, and Mauve.
Stop by the nursery this week to wander through our shade houses and find the perfect texture combination for your woodland garden beds!

JUNE GARDENING TIPS

SALVIAS

June 1, 2026 Karen Logan

SALVIAS

Members of the mint family, Salvias are famous for their incredible diversity, boasting over 900 species worldwide. While about 50 of these are native to North America. However, for those of us gardening in Massachusetts, the Lyre-leaf Sage (Salvia lyrata) is our region's only true native sage. No matter the variety, Salvias are renowned as absolute pollinator magnets, featuring nectar-rich blooms that act as an irresistible beacon for hummingbirds, butterflies, and a wide variety of local pollinators.

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GROWING SALVIA

How to Plant & Grow Salvia for Success

Salvias are sun-loving, low-maintenance perennials that reward you with vibrant blooms and incredible pollinator activity all season long. Whether you are looking for classic blues and purples or want to branch out into vibrant pinks, fuchsias, whites, or reds, there is a variety for every palette. These tough, deer-resistant plants are exceptionally easy to care for. Here is how to give your new Salvias the absolute best start in your landscape:

Choose the Right Spot: Select a location that receives full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) and has excellent drainage. Salvias absolutely do not like soggy roots.
Prepare the Soil: Dig a hole twice the width of the plant’s container to give the roots plenty of room to expand. Mix a 3-inch layer of high-quality compost into the existing soil to enrich and improve drainage.
Plant with Care: Gently remove the Salvia from its nursery pot. Place it in the hole so the top of the root ball sits perfectly level with the surrounding soil line.
Space for Growth: Space your plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the specific variety. Proper spacing ensures excellent airflow and gives the plant room to reach its mature size.
Backfill and Firm: Fill in the hole around the plant with your soil mix, pressing down gently with your hands to eliminate air pockets and stabilize the root ball.
Water Deeply: Give your newly planted Salvias a thorough, deep soaking to settle the soil and reduce transplant shock.
Mulch: Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Encourage More Blooms: Deadheading spent flowers encourages repeat blooming. Follow the flower stem down to the base and cut just above the foliage for a clean finish and more blossoms.
Spring Cleanup: Wait until early spring, when you see signs of new growth, to cut back old stems. This helps protect the plant during winter and gives you a clearer view of what's emerging.
Divide Every 3 Years: To keep your Salvias vigorous, divide clumps every 3 years. The best time to divide is in early spring, before new growth fully emerges.

While Salvias are remarkably drought-tolerant once established, consistent watering during their first few weeks in the ground is key to healthy, deep root development. With just a bit of maintenance, Salvias reward you with long-lasting color and a steady stream of pollinators.

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PERENNIAL SALVIAS

While most perennial salvias bloom in early summer, you can easily extend their performance by deadheading the faded flower spikes. They will reward you with a fantastic second flush of blooms later in the same season!

Salvia Wind Walker Red

————————
*A perennial species of*
*Salvia that is 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!*

Perennial Salvia Varieties

Salvia nemorosa Species (Meadow Sage)

These are the classic garden staples known for their upright flower spikes and compact, mounded foliage.

'Salvatore Blue': Features aromatic, royal purple-blue spikes that add wonderful vertical interest and deep color to garden beds and planters.
'Caradonna': Features striking, dark purple stems that contrast beautifully with its violet-blue flowers.
'Dark Matter': Deeply saturated, near-black buds that open into intense violet-blue spikes.
'Blue Marvel' & 'Rose Marvel': Some of the largest flower spikes in the genus, providing an extra-bold splash of blue or rose-pink.
'White Profusion': A high-performance variety completely covered in crisp, clean white flowers that rebloom beautifully.
'Snow Hill': A dependable, classic white selection that forms a tidy, cool mound in the border.
'Blue by You': An early bloomer featuring rich blue-purple spikes and excellent heat tolerance.
'Violet Riot': Forms a dense, uniform mound packed with vivid violet-blue flowers.
'East Friesland': A compact old favorite featuring rich violet-purple spikes.
'Feathers Peacock': Feathery foliage and soft lavender-blue flowers.

The 'Lyrical' Series

Known for their robust growth, strong branching, and high flower count per stem.

'Lyrical Blue': Deep indigo-blue petals contrasted beautifully by rich burgundy accents.
'Lyrical Rose': Bright rose-pink flower spikes that bring a soft warmth to the garden.

Other Salvias

'Midnight Model': Produces striking, intense violet-blue flowers on a round, dense, perfectly neat clump.
'Evening Attire': Features huge, vivid violet-blue flowers packed tightly into a highly refined, upright habit.
'Moulin Rouge': Makes a dramatic statement with oversized, rich rosy-pink flower spikes.
'Rhythm and Blues': Striking tricolor blue-purple blooms.

Salvia greggii (Mirage™ Series): Woody, drought-tolerant mounds with aromatic foliage.
Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain': An "oldie but goodie" featuring arching stems with smoky purple whorls of flowers that look incredibly soft and romantic.

Biennial Sages

Biennials spend their first year growing lush foliage and explode into dramatic, oversized blooms in their second year.

Salvia argentea (Silver Sage): A striking, clump-forming biennial grown as much for its texture as its flowers. It features massive, fuzzy, woolly silver leaves that look like velvet, topped with elegant white flowers.
Salvia sclarea (Clary Sage): A biennial species native to the Mediterranean basin that we proudly grow from seed right here! This is a massive, very showy architectural plant that features huge spikes bearing large, colorful bracts that last all summer.
- The Straight Species: Features pink blooms with darker pink edges.
- Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica: A beautiful variety featuring striking white flecks and pink bracts.

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ANNUALS: SEASON EXTENDERS

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

Annual Salvias are absolute powerhouses in the garden, providing non-stop color from early summer straight into late fall. From unique varieties we start right here from seed to high-performance selections grown from premium plugs, these plants are the ultimate season extenders. In fact, hardy varieties like Pineapple Sage will often stay in full bloom well into November! To get the absolute most out of them, we recommend planting them early in the season so they have plenty of time to reach their magnificent mature size. While they do beautifully in both patio containers and garden beds, keep in mind that they put all their energy into a single season and will not come back next year.

Planning Ahead

It's the perfect time to think about late summer and autumn interest, when designing your garden beds now. Our late-blooming 'season-extender' Salvias are the perfect tool to keep your landscape vibrant and colorful long after other perennials have faded.

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Vineyard Gardens Seed-Grown Favorites

There is a special charm to plants grown from seed right here at the nursery. These selections are famous for their exotic, oversized bracts and incredibly long-lasting color.

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea): Produces massive, architectural flower spikes with prominent, colorful bracts that look delightfully exotic and last all summer.
Salvia horminium Blue Monday: A true Vineyard Gardens favorite featuring striking, intense blue-violet top leaves (bracts) that retain their deep color for months.
Salvia horminium Rose Sundae: A gorgeous sister variety to 'Blue Monday,' boasting soft, vivid rose-pink bracts that add a beautiful warmth to cottage gardens and bouquets.
Salvia patens Patio Sky Blue (Gentian Sage): Breathtaking sky-blue flowers, set on a compact habit perfect for pots.

'Plug-Grown' Annuals

Grown from specialized starter plugs, these high-performance cultivars grow rapidly into robust, heavy-blooming plants for your large containers and garden beds.

Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' (Anise-Scented Sage): Featuring deep cobalt-blue tubular flowers emerging from dramatic, near-black calyxes.
'Amistad' (Andrew’s Recommendation): A top pick by Andrew! This spectacular hybrid boasts massive, continuous spikes of royal purple flowers sitting on sharp black stems. It is an absolute magnet for hummingbirds.
'Indigo Spires': A deep, rich blue showstopper with extra-long flower spikes. This tough variety keeps going and going. It will still be blooming beautifully alongside your fall asters and mums!
'Skyscraper Orange': Brings unique, warm sunset-orange tones to the annual border on sturdy, upright stems.
'Skyscraper Pink': Features densely packed, bright pink trumpets that stand up beautifully to summer heat.
'Unplugged Pink': A compact, tidy selection covered in soft pink spikes, perfect for mid-sized patio containers.
'Rockin’ Deep Purple': A tough, modern hybrid loaded with rich, royal purple blooms that require no deadheading to keep flowering.
'Rockin’ Blue Suede Shoes': Features soft, light blue petals contrasted against crisp, deep black calyxes.
'Rockin’ Fuchsia': Vibrant, neon-fuchsia blossoms that scream for attention from across the yard.
'Wendy’s Wish': A massive customer favorite featuring brilliant, hot-magenta pink flowers with colorful fluted calyxes.
'Love and Wishes': Another popular favorite, displaying a sophisticated, deep antique shade of reddish-pink and dark maroon stems.

Salvia leucantha ('Mexican Bush Sage'): The ultimate late-season extender. This magnificent, velvety-textured plant saves its main explosion of soft purple and white spikes for autumn, blooming beautifully deep into October.

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Salvias in the Herb House

Explore our fantastic selection of aromatic, edible sages!

Salvia elegans ‘Pineapple Sage’ (annual): A spectacular annual herb and a magnificent season extender. The species name elegans reflects its tender nature, meaning it will not overwinter in our climate. However, it grows at an astonishing rate if you get it in the ground early! When planted in spring or early summer, a simple 4-inch nursery pot of Pineapple Sage will easily reach 4 to 5 feet tall and wide in a single season. In late summer and throughout autumn, it bears brilliant, tubular red flower spikes. As a delightful bonus, its lush green foliage releases a sweet pineapple aroma when brushed.
Salvia officinalis ‘Culinary Sages’ (Perennial)
These hardy perennial sages are wonderful in the kitchen and bring beautiful, year-round texture to the herb garden. While the straight species and 'Berggarten' remain the two absolute classics for culinary use, we also carry these gorgeous, highly ornamental varieties:
- Purple Leaf Sage: Features rich, smoky-purple foliage that adds dark, dramatic depth to herb planters.
- Golden Sage: Boasts bright green leaves beautifully variegated with wide, chartreuse-gold margins.
- Tricolor Sage: A stunning, highly ornamental selection with striking variegated foliage splashed in shades of purple, pink, and creamy white.

LEARN MORE: PERENNIAL HERBS

CONTAINER PLANTING

AMSONIA

May 27, 2026 Karen Logan

AMSONIA

A Native Perennial with Spring Flowers and Fall Color

Long ago, Amsonia tabernaemontana (commonly known as Bluestar) first caught my eye with its distinct mounded shape and delicate blue flowers. Later that same year, it grabbed my attention all over again when its foliage transformed into a brilliant, glowing yellow fall color. Amsonia’s rounded shape and sturdy form result from many individual stems with the exact right length to round it out. When in bloom, clusters of small, soft-blue, star-shaped flowers adorn the tip of every stem, hence its common name, Bluestar. It is no surprise that Amsonia tabernaemontana was named one of the Top 75 Garden Plants by the American Horticultural Society! With stunning spring blooms, fine texture, radiant autumn color, and excellent deer resistance, this genus offers incredible multi-season interest.

AMSONIA WE CARRY AT VINEYARD GARDENS

While plants are botanically classified by the similarities in their flowers, their foliage can vary wildly. This is beautifully true for the different Amsonias sitting on our nursery tables:

Amsonia tabernaemontana (Eastern Bluestar): This lovely native species has dense clusters of pale blue spring flowers and golden fall foliage.
'Blue Ice': A compact cultivar of the native species that stays lower to the ground, with deeper dark-blue buds and a long bloom time. Perfect for smaller garden borders or containers.
Amsonia hubrichtii: This species offers a completely different look. It features exceptionally narrow, needle-like leaves lining the stems that create a soft, feathery texture in the wind. It turns a fiery copper-gold in October.

Why the Deer Leave It Alone: The stems and foliage of Amsonia contain a bitter, milky sap that serves as a highly effective natural defense system that deters predation by deer and rabbits.

Easy Care & Growing Conditions

Because these are native US prairie plants, they are incredibly tough and unfussy once established.

Soil: They prefer well-drained soil but aren't picky about soil fertility.
Sunlight: Full sun is ideal for the best form and optimal fall color. However, Amsonia tabernaemontana will tolerate partial shade (though it may bloom a bit less vigorously).

Amsonia hubrichtii in Vinieyard Gardens garden bed

Since that first encounter years ago, my appreciation for this genus has only grown!

DEER RESISTENT PLANTS

ROSES

May 25, 2026 Karen Logan

The Perfect Fit:

Roses in the

Vineyard Garden

With so many breathtaking varieties available, how do you choose the right rose for your landscape? Whether you are looking to cover a classic picket fence, fill a sunny border, or plant a low-maintenance native, Vineyard Gardens is here to help you select the perfect match for your property.

Here is a breakdown of the primary rose categories and a sampling of the beautiful varieties we are carrying at the nursery this season.

David Austin Roses photo by keith kurman

CLIMBING ROSES

Climbing roses are spectacular for adding vertical color to fences, arbors, or trellises. You can easily train these vigorous growers to climb in any direction by gently tying the canes as they grow.

New Dawn: One of the most popular climbing roses. Its pale pink blooms offer the iconic look famously seen draping over the white fences of Edgartown.
Zephirine Drouhin: A stunning, thornless climber featuring deep rose-pink flowers and a strong, fruity fragrance. Great for training over high-traffic walkways, arches, seating areas, or doorways where you won't have to worry about anyone getting snagged.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles (David Austin): A compact climber producing striking crimson-red blooms with a medium, classic Old Rose fragrance.
Bathsheba (David Austin): An elegant climber sporting apricot-toned flowers and a unique, beautiful scent.

Climbing New Dawn Rose (David Austin Roses)

SHRUB ROSES

Shrub roses are upright, bushy plants that offer incredible versatility. They are perfect for hedges, mixed garden beds, or stand-alone focal points.

Classic & Native Shrub Favorites

Knock Out® Roses: Famous for a reason! These are exceptional, continuous repeat-bloomers that flower much longer than traditional rose bushes. They maintain a tidy, mounded shape when pruned correctly (note: they do not climb).
Rosa palustris (Swamp Rose): A fantastic native, multi-branched shrub boasting intensely fragrant pink blooms and fleshy red rose hips. This plant is a true ecological powerhouse; as a keystone wetland species, it prevents soil erosion while supporting an incredible diversity of wildlife. It serves as a vital larval host for multiple native moths, provides safe, dense nesting sites for songbirds, and offers a critical food source for native bees, butterflies, and birds.
Julia Child: Features warm, pale yellow flowers paired with a delicious licorice and clove scent.
Seafoam: A low, sprawling shrub covered in creamy white blooms with a light, delicate fragrance.
Blanc Double de Coubert: A rugged rugosa hybrid known for its intensely fragrant, pure white double blooms.

David Austin Shrub Roses:

David Austin varieties are world-renowned for combining the romantic, multi-petaled double flowers of Old Roses with the disease resistance and repeat-blooming power of modern varieties.

Vanessa Bell: Soft, pale yellow flowers with a fragrance reminiscent of green tea. Forms a bushy, upright shrub (4’ x 3’).
Desdemona: Beautiful white blooms flushed with a pinkish hue. Features a complex Old Rose fragrance with hints of almond blossom, cucumber, and lemon zest.
Gertrude Jekyll: A large shrub with bright pink blooms and a quintessential, rich Old Rose scent.
Olivia Rose Austin: A well-balanced medium shrub with soft, mid-pink flowers and a delightful, fruity fragrance.
The Fairy: A charming, smaller shrub that stays compact, producing clusters of light pink flowers with a mild scent.

GROUND COVER ROSES

These low-growing, sprawling varieties are ideal for the front of garden borders, slopes, or erosion control. They thrive in full sun and add a vibrant carpet of color.

Rosa rugosa (Beach Rose): Our naturalized beach rose is hands-down the most salt-tolerant and drought-tolerant rose around. Perfect for coastal Island landscapes.

MINIATURE & CONTAINER ROSES

Do you dream of growing roses but have limited garden space? We’ve brought in a few different varieties of dwarf roses to give you the opportunity to grow these great cut flowers right on your patio or deck!

ROSE CARE

To get the absolute most out of your roses, keep these three golden rules in mind: Roses love full sun, well-drained soil, and plenty of organic nutrients!

Feed Them Now: Spring is the perfect time to apply a high-quality fertilizer to kickstart the blooming season. We highly recommend Espoma Plant-tone or Rose-tone for organic, steady feeding.
Mind the Drainage: Whether planting in a garden bed or a large patio container, ensure the roots never sit in waterlogged soil.

Looking for something different? We’ve only scratched the surface of the incredible rose varieties we carry. Stop by Vineyard Gardens, and our team will help you find the perfect rose to elevate your home landscape!

PLANT PROFILE: PEONIES

MAY GARDEN TIPS

PEONIES

May 10, 2026 Karen Logan

PEONIES

The Queen of the Spring Garden

Peonies are a stunning genus of woodland plants, prized for their exceptionally large, showy blooms that take center stage in late May and June. These garden favorites prefer rich, well-drained soil and are surprisingly low-maintenance once established.

Unlike many flowering perennials, peonies require very little fertilizer; a simple top-dressing of organic compost in the spring provides all the nutrients they need. To keep your plants healthy, keep an eye out for Botrytis, a black fungal growth that can cause stems to wilt. If you spot it, carefully prune the affected area immediately and dispose of it in the trash (do not compost it) to prevent the fungus from spreading.

Looking for the perfect addition to your mixed beds? Our garden peonies are hardy, clump-forming perennials that thrive in full to part shade.

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PAEONIA LACTIFLORA (HERBACEOUS)

Paeonia lactiflora is a herbaceous, low growing (1-2') clump-forming perennial. Commonly called garden peonies, they are ideal for mixed perennial beds in full to part shade (3+ hours of direct sunlight).

With May being a windy month on the Island, it’s important to remember that these garden peonies require structural support. Their giant, ornamental flowers become quite top-heavy and are liable to snap during spring rain or wind. At Vineyard Gardens, we carry specifically designed peony cages to ensure your floral show stays upright all season long. Be sure to pick some up with your next purchase!

Note: Herbaceous peonies die back completely to the ground in winter, returning with fresh growth each spring.

Paeonia lactiflora we’d like to highlight:

Moon River (double soft cream and pink fragrant flowers)
Sarah Bernhardt (double pink flowers)
Coral Sunset (semi double coral blooms)

Jan Van Leeuwen (single white flowers)
Laura Dessert (double white flowers)
Paul M Wild (double ruby red blooms)
Lady Orchid (double pink flowers)

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PAEONIA X SUFFRUTICOSA (TREE PEONY)

If you haven’t yet experienced the early-season magic of the Tree Peony, now is the perfect time to start. Unlike their herbaceous cousins, Tree Peonies (Paeonia x suffruticosa) develop a persistent, woody structure that stays above ground year-round. This slow-growing, substantial shrub solves the "flopping" problem of garden peonies, providing a sturdy framework that supports its massive flowers without the need for cages or staking.

These easy-to-grow shrubs produce breathtaking single or double blooms as early as May. Ideal for mixed borders and woodland edges, Tree Peonies can eventually reach heights of up to 6 feet, making them a true focal point in the landscape.

If you love the look of giant peony blooms but hate the hassle of support cages, the Tree Peony is your solution.

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ITOH PEONIES

The Best of Both Worlds

The Itoh Peonies are intersectional hybrids. First developed in Tokyo during the 1940s by Toichi Itoh, these stunning plants are a cross between the herbaceous peony and the tree peony. The result is a plant that possesses the "best of both worlds": the lush, clump-forming habit of garden peonies combined with the exceptionally strong stems of the tree peony. This means you get massive, show-stopping flowers that stand tall without the need for caging or external support.
Paeonia Itoh ‘Yellow Crown’: Features fragrant, double-yellow blooms with a striking hint of red at the base of the petals.
Paeonia Itoh ‘Cora Louise’: A showstopper with giant white petals and glowing, deep red centers.

We also carry a smaller quantity of the following:

Itoh Old Rose Dandy
Itoh Misaka
Itoh Takara

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The Cut Flower Standard

While the Netherlands remains the global hub for peony production, Alaskan growers have leveraged their long summer daylight to extend the availability of these blooms worldwide. Whether sourced from across the sea or across the continent, peonies remain a top choice for gardeners and florists alike. They are easy to grow, exceptionally long-lived, and offer a deer-resistant solution for fragrant, show-stopping spring bouquets.

LAVENDER

May 7, 2026 Karen Logan

LAVENDER

The Scent of Summer: Growing Lavender on the Island

With its fragrant, deep blue spikes rising elegantly above silver-grey foliage, Lavender is an essential addition to the Vineyard landscape. These hardy perennials thrive in the full heat of the sun and require well-drained soil to truly flourish. Once established, Lavender is remarkably drought-tolerant and, best of all, naturally deer-resistant.

For a striking visual impact, we recommend mass plantings to create a sea of fragrance and color. We currently carry several varieties in both 1-gallon and 4-inch pots to suit any garden project.

Perennial Lavenders

The Secret to Overwintering Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) is the hardiest species available and is well-suited for our Island climate. While cold-tolerant, successful overwintering depends entirely on excellent drainage. While these plants can handle the cold, they cannot tolerate "wet feet" during the winter months. To prevent rot and ensure they return year after year, plant them in a sunny spot with porous, well-drained soil.

We offer several select varieties chosen for their resilience and performance in the Vineyard landscape.

Munstead: Ideal for low borders, containers, and edging along sunny, well-drained paths
Hidcote: One of the best for hedging. Compact, dense, tidy and round mounded.
Provence: Hedging or edging in herb gardens and for mass plantings. Flowers can be dried and crushed to use in sachets.
Phenomenal: A newer cultivar, exceptional tolerance to humidity, heat, and cold.
Blue cushion and Super Blue are a few newer cultivars that we are trying out and testing their hardiness.

Annual Lavenders

Looking for non-stop color for summer? Annual lavenders are prized for their extended blooming season, making them perfect for containers and summer borders. Keep in mind that they won't survive the island winter. If you’re looking for a permanent garden resident that returns every spring, be sure to select a perennial lavender variety.

Goodwin Creek : Highly regarded for its resistance to heat, humidity, and drought.
Grosso: Known for its large, deep violet flower spikes and high oil content
Elegance Purple: Compact variety with purple-blue flowers and strong, fragrance. Great for containers.
Lavandula dentata: Highly aromatic French lavender.
Lavandula stoechas: We grow this Spanish Lavender from seed in two colors, deep purple and deep rose. Spring blooming lavender.
Lavender pinnata: Known for its unique, fern-like leaves and slender flower buds that grow to 3 feet before they unfurl. Adds vertical interest.
Lavender multimodal ‘Torch Blue’: Great choice for containers and garden borders, prized for its long blooming season and unique texture. We grow this lavender from seed.

Deer do not eat lavender!

A Note on Pruning: To keep your lavender from becoming "leggy" or woody, it’s best to prune twice a year. Give them a light trim after the first flush of flowers fades in mid-summer to encourage a second bloom. Then, in late August or early September, prune about 2/3 of the plants height (just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem), being careful not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage. This will ensure a tight, mounded shape for next spring.

DELPHINIUMS

April 27, 2026 Karen Logan

Delphinium illustration by karen blackerby logan

DELPHINIUMS

There are around 300 species of annual and perennial delphiniums. They typically bloom in early summer and, with proper care, often rebloom in late summer or early fall. While blue is the most common color, many hybrids offer shades of pink, lavender, red, white, and yellow, with both single and double blooms. We carry both compact and tall varieties and are growing two from seed this season.

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GROWING DELPHINIUMS

Plant Delphiniums at the back of the bed in groups, where flower spikes can reach 2 to 6 feet tall.
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade, with shelter from strong winds.
Soil should not dry out. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week.
Mulch helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool.
Care should include regular fertilization in spring when the plant begins to grow, and during the flowering period.
Deadhead the first blooms in early summer. Remove flower stalks when blooms are spent.
Taller varieties may require staking.

DELPHINIUM VARITIES:

Summer Series - Summer Nights (Deep purple & light blue)
Blue Butterfly (we grow in 4-packs)
Q&S Series (Deep blue and grown in 4-packs)

Succession Gardening

[Plant Profile] Serviceberry

POPPIES

April 10, 2026 Karen Logan

POPPIES:

SPRING FAVORITE!

We love our poppies at Vineyard Gardens and grow a wide range of varieties for every garden. From true perennials to short-lived perennials and classic annuals, each has its own charm. Our annual poppies readily reseed, often returning year after year to create natural, evolving drifts of color.

We start our annual poppies from seed and offer a beautiful, carefully grown selection. Also grown from seed is a perennial variety that is among our favorite : the Spanish poppy, Papaver rupifragum ‘Double Tangerine Gem.’ This late-blooming beauty produces soft apricot flowers in late summer. Native to the mountains of Spain, it grows alongside Spanish lavender, bringing a touch of that wild, sun-soaked landscape into your garden.

Poppies like a rich, well drained soil in full sun. Deer Resistant!!

PAPAVER ORIENTALIS/ORIENTAL POPPIES

The most well-known perennial poppies are the Oriental poppies. They are long-lived, resilient plants that make a bold seasonal statement. They bloom in late spring to early summer, go dormant in the heat of midsummer, and return the following year even larger and more impressive.

Oriental poppies are celebrated for their dramatic, dinner-plate–sized blooms. The classic red with a dark, inky center is perhaps the most iconic. This year, we’re offering Crimson Red, Orange Red, and ‘Royal Wedding,’ a striking white variety with a black center. We also have ‘Turkenlouis,’ with its vibrant red, ruffled petals, and ‘Princess Victoria Louise,’ a beautiful soft salmon. Oriental poppies bring true drama to the garden.

Make sure to mark the spot so that you don’t disturb the sleeping poppy!

PAPAVER NUDICAULE/ICELAND POPPIES

Icelandic poppies, Papaver nudicaule, their name meaning “bare stems”, are another perennial type, though typically shorter-lived than Oriental poppies. They are truly stunning, with delicate, crepe paper–like blooms held on slender, one-foot stems that seem to float above the foliage. Plant two or three in a pot for a soft, airy display that lasts through spring and into early summer.

We carry Iceland poppies in both the Champagne Series (individual colors) and the Wonderland Series (a cheerful mix). The Champagne Series is available in scarlet, pink, yellow, orange, and red. While hardy, these are considered short-lived perennials. They are native to subpolar regions of Asia and North America, bringing a cool-climate elegance to the garden.

Iceland Poppies are blooming now!

ANNUAL POPPIES

Papaver rhoeas, Papaver commutatum, Papaver paeoniflorus, Papaver somniferum

The great reseeders of the poppy world are the annual poppies. We grow these from seed, starting them in early to mid-February, and offer them in packs and 2” pots.

After their spring to early summer bloom, annual poppies continue to shine with their sculptural seed pods, extending the season into summer and fall. As the pods ripen, they scatter seeds into the surrounding soil, and new seedlings emerge the following year. In many sunny gardens, annual poppies happily naturalize, creating an effortless, ever-evolving display year after year.

This year we are growing:

Shirley Poppies
Papaver rhoeas, including Double Choice Mix
Select Seed, White Bridal Veil
We are growing the peony flowered poppy in Lauren’s Grape, Hungarian Blue and White Cloud.
Ladybird Poppy, Papaver commutatum, a red flower with a black pattern at the base of each petal. It is a prolific bloomer.
Papaver somniferum, in Imperial Pink and The Giant with a red flower.
Ready to be planted now!
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GROWING & CARE

Plant your poppies in a full sun garden with well drained soil.
They have beautiful seed pods that extend the season beyond bloom.
The annual poppies can be dead headed to extend bloom but at some point let the beautiful seed pods develop and let them ripen on the plant.
Poppies will reseed and you may have lots of little poppy seedlings for years to come.
If they are happy, they will colonize in your garden. It is wonderful when plants colonize! Other plants do this too!

Come to Vineyard Gardens to find out what other plants reseed and colonize in your garden!

ASPARAGUS

March 28, 2026 Karen Logan

ASPARAGUS

“There are a few perennial vegetables which actually are some of the easiest ones to grow. My all-time favorite is asparagus which can live for 20 or more years. Asparagus continually get bigger and more productive with just a little bit of care. The most important way to care for them is to keep the weeds out in order for them to thrive. They are one of the first vegetables to come up every spring and are absolutely delicious and healthy.” -

Chuck Wiley, founder of Vineyard Gardens Landscaping

GROWING ASPARAGUS

Asparagus are a long lived perennial and should be planted in a dedicated bed.

Asparagus requires well drained fertile soil and can not tolerate wet feet.
Ensure planting site is well weeded.
Plant in full sun.
An excellent weed killing technique is to cover with cardboard 8 weeks prior to planting.
Make an 8” deep trench with a 4” ridge and loose soil down the middle.
Plant one bare root asparagus every 1’ between plants and 3’ between rows.
Splay the long roots down the sides of the ridge.
Water well to establish.
Top dress asparagus bed with plenty of premium compost every fall.
Since the roots are deep, you can hoe out weeds to about 3” deep as long as you do it before March 15th.

HARVESTING

Plants need to establish for 2 or 3 seasons before their first harvest, then they have abundant yields.

In the third year, harvest tender spring shoots at about 4.5”.

Do not harvest until shoots are pencil thick.

ONCE BARE ROOT ASPARAGUS IS AVAILABLE THERE IS A SHORT PLANTING WINDOW!

HELLEBORE

March 13, 2026 Karen Logan

HELLEBORES

LENTEN ROSE

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On a walk through Coastal Maine Botanical Garden last year at the beginning of May, one of the many surprises I stumbled upon were the enormous array of Hellebores dappled throughout the shade gardens. I was mesmerized by their range of colors from deep red to shades of pink and white. In the shade of the Giles Rhododendron and Perennial Garden, swaths of Hellebores were groundcover for the Rhododendrons and Azaleas. I have always been in awe of Hellebore’s unique flower structure and evergreen foliage but witnessing it in these numbers was just glorious.

Hellebores awaken in mid April when they begin to put on a show with their abundant blooms. Their flowers last for several weeks and once the petals have faded, the sepals, which look like a flower, remain attractive for several months. The sturdy evergreen foliage is appealing well into the winter months. With all their different stages they are the plant that keeps on giving from spring to winter.

Hellebores are perfect in woodland gardens and in shady areas under deciduous trees.

Helebore at Maine Coastal Botanical Garden

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GROWING CONDITIONS & CARE

Easy to grow
12 x 24” H. Spreads over time
Drought tolerant but thrives in slightly moist conditions
Sensitive to poor drainage
Cold hardy and tough
Rabbit and deer resistant
Perfect along shaded borders and woodland gardens
Beautiful when planted under deciduous trees as a ground cover
After a long winter, the large evergreen leaves look flattened and tattered. Remove the worst of these before the flower stalks begin to grow. Do not remove leaves prior to that or may harm plant.

Hellebore

Helleborus orientalis 'Pink Lady' Lenten Rose

Helleborus x hybridus

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HELLEBORES AVAILABLE AT VINEYARD GARDEN

Hellebore Ice N' Roses® Bianco (Monrovia)
Hellebore Ice N' Roses® Red (Monrovia)
HelleboreIce N' Roses® Rosado (Monrovia)
Helleborus x iburgensis Ice N' Roses® Merlot Hellebore (Monrovia)
Hellebore Ice N' Roses® Rose (Monrovia)
Helleborus Paris in Pink (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus Rio Carnival (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus Romantic Getaway (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus Maid of Honor (Walter’s Garden)

Helleborus Wedding Bells (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus Spanish Flare (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus New York Night (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus Rome in Red (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus Snowbells (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus French Kiss (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus Sandy Shores (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus Ivory Prince (Walter’s Garden)
Helleborus Irish Luck (Walter’s Garden)

A hardy, deer resistant perennial with evergreen foliage, long-blooming flowers and multi seasonal interest!

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MARCH GARDEN TIPS

EARLY SPRING COLOR

[PLANT PROFILE] AUTUMN CLIMBERS

August 2, 2023 Karen Logan

AUTUMN CLIMBERS

Late season blooming vines brighten your autumn landscapes just as the summer flowers are waning.

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HONEYSUCKLE

These flowering vines are lush with often very fragrant flowers that are beloved by butterflies and hummingbirds.

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WISTERIA

Wisteria is a high-climbing, long-lived vining plant with cascades of blue to purple flowers that look spectacular hanging from a pergola or archway. Wisteria only blooms on new wood so pruning is a secret to it’s success.

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CLEMATIS

Clematis viticellas are the smaller flowered clematis such as Roguchi and Betty Corning. They are both fragrant, very floriferous and excellent climbers attaching with tendrils .
Autumn Clematis is an evergreen woody high-climbing vine with late-season blossoms and wonderfully fragrant blooms!
Clematis like their roots in the shade and the vining part in the sun. Pruning in spring results in more stems coming from the crown of the plant.

Varieties available

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***paniculata***

***Roguchi***

***Betty Corning***

***Robert Brydon***
***Sweet Summer Love***

***Rouge Cardinal***

***Diamond Ball***

***Pink Mist***

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Brightening the Shady Garden with Summer Perennials

DEER RESISTANT PERENNIALS FOR SHADE

PERENNIALS GROUNDCOVERS FOR SHADE

Our Go-To Shade Favorites

FILIPENDULA

Growing Conditions

A highlight of midsummer!

FILIPENDULA VARIETIES

Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta Magnifica’ (Queen of the Prairie)

Queen of the Prairie is spectacular when planted in large masses. Because of its height, it serves as the perfect living backdrop for mid-sized summer perennials.

Filipendula ‘Kahome’ (Dwarf Meadowsweet)

Ecological Benefits

Bring Filipendula into Your Garden

In the Vegetable Garden

In the Perennial Garden

LIVING MULCH:

Perennial

Groundcovers

Try planting ground covers at the base of your shrubs instead of mulching. Ground covers are very effective at keeping weeds out and moisture in!

Groundcovers for Shade to Part-Shade

Exceptional Foliage

Spring Bloomers

Native Ferns (Excellent Massers)

Groundcovers for Sun to Partial Shade

SUCCESSION

GARDENING

AS A GROUNDCOVER

The Great Dixter Inspiration

How it Works

Soft, Early-Season Coverups

The Woodland Understory

Larger Structural Plants

Late-Season Plants

POLLINATION

DYNAMICS

Generalists vs Specialists

Do you want your garden to come alive this summer with bees, butterflies, birds and beneficial insects?

Larval Specialists

Moths, Beetles & Bats: Nightime Pollinators

The Magic of Pollination

Why Native

Plants Matter

Not sure where to begin? Check out the Cape Cod Native Plants website for a fantastic online tool to help you select the right plants for your site conditions.

Pollinator

Power Plants:

Our Favorite Perennials

Native Pollinator Perennial :

Pollinator Perennials:

Native Pollinator Shrubs:

Pollinator Shrubs:

POLLINATOR FRIENDLY TREES

Native Pollinator Trees:

READY FOR

POLLINATOR

GUESTS THIS

SUMMER?

Let your garden be a living, blooming, buzzing celebration of life.

ASTILBE

Bring Vibrant Texture and Color to Your Shade Garden

GROWING ASTILBE

ASTIBLE ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES!

COMPANION PLANTING

CARE

Astilbe Varieties

Stop by the nursery this week to wander through our shade houses and find the perfect texture combination for your woodland garden beds!

SALVIAS

GROWING SALVIA

How to Plant & Grow Salvia for Success

While Salvias are remarkably drought-tolerant once established, consistent watering during their first few weeks in the ground is key to healthy, deep root development. With just a bit of maintenance, Salvias reward you with long-lasting color and a steady stream of pollinators.

PERENNIAL SALVIAS

Perennial Salvia Varieties

Salvia nemorosa Species (Meadow Sage)

The 'Lyrical' Series

Other Salvias

Biennial Sages

ANNUALS: SEASON EXTENDERS

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

Planning Ahead

Vineyard Gardens Seed-Grown Favorites

'Plug-Grown' Annuals