VIBURNUM

September 30, 2026 Karen Logan

VIBURNUM

Choosing the Right Viburnum for Your Garden

Viburnums are among the most popular landscape shrubs, prized for being both exceptionally attractive and highly functional. With so many cultivars available, there is a variety suited for almost any garden design. Fragrant viburnums burst into bloom in the spring, often giving way to colorful berries by the fall. If you want your viburnum to produce an abundant display of berries for local birds, be sure to plant several different compatible varieties that bloom at the same time to ensure successful cross-pollination.

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Fall Interest Viburnums

For jaw-dropping autumn color and brilliant seasonal fruit, consider these standout varieties:

Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum): Celebrated for its heavy fall berry production, its dark green leaves transition to a striking purplish-red in autumn, accompanied by drooping clusters of bright red fruit. It typically matures to an upright 8–12 feet tall.
Doublefile Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum): A personal favorite of Chris Wileys’ for its breathtaking floral displays.
Viburnum dilatatum 'Cardinal Candy'): Noted for its heavy clusters of drooping red berries.
Viburnum dilatatum 'Michael Dodge': Unique for producing distinctive, drooping yellow berries.

Viburnum dilatatum ‘Michael Dodge’ and some Virginia Creeper

Native Viburnums

Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum): Native to Martha’s Vineyard, this hardy shrub grows wild across Chilmark and the woodlands of West Tisbury. Non-fragrant, flat-topped white flowers emerge in late spring, giving way to deep blue-black berries that songbirds and wildlife adore. Tolerant of light shade and deer-resistant, it is a wonderful choice for naturalistic plantings or ecological restoration projects. We carry the popular cultivar 'Blue Muffin'.

Evergreen Viburnums

Prague Viburnum (Viburnum × pragense): Features creamy-white flowers in spring that transition to early-fall berries (starting red and maturing to glossy black). Reaching roughly 10–12 feet tall, it thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum): A large, bold evergreen shrub featuring rough-textured foliage and creamy-white spring flowers.

Viburnum x burkwoodii [photo credit: keith kurman]

Fragrant Spring-Blooming Viburnums

Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii): A classic favorite celebrated for its intensely sweet fragrance. Deep reddish-pink buds open in early spring into 3-inch, snowball-like clusters of aromatic blooms. Preferring full sun to partial shade, it typically matures to a compact 4–6 feet tall and wide.
Fragrant Arrowwood (Viburnum × carlcephalum): A multi-stemmed shrub with an open, rounded form. It produces fragrant, snowball-type blooms in spring alongside lovely reddish autumn foliage. Best fruit production occurs when planted in groups, and it boasts good drought tolerance once established, eventually growing 6–10 feet tall and wide.
Burkwood Viburnum (Viburnum × burkwoodii): An early-spring beauty originating from the Korean Spice family. Under ideal conditions, it can mature up to 10x10 feet. In late April to early May, it puts on a show with pinkish-white flower clusters carrying an insanely delicious fragrance. With gorgeous dark green foliage, it functions beautifully as a privacy hedge, screen, or standalone accent plant.

EVERGREENS FOR SCREENING

FALL TREES & SHRUBS

ODE TO AUTUMN

FALL TREES & SHRUBS

September 9, 2026 Karen Logan

September Border at Vineyard Gardens. Crape Myrtles & Vitex [photo credit: keith kurman]

FALL TREES

& SHRUBS

Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs! The combination of the weather cooling down and fall rain allows plants to establish their roots. Planting in the fall also gives trees and shrubs an extra growing season before the stress of summer heat and drought.

On warm days from here on out the Witchhazels will be unfurling their ribbon-like petals creating brilliant splashes of color in the stark winter landscape.

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TREES

Trees are exceptional fall extenders, offering stunning foliage transitions and late-season blooms that keep the landscape vibrant long after summer fades.

Franklinia alatamaha (Franklin Tree): Native to US. Typically grows to 15’x10’. Showy fragrant white flowers in August. Great fall color! Plant in full sun with light shade in moist soil.
Lagerstroemia indica crape myrtle: Multi stemmed trees with beautiful late season color. Blooms late summer into fall. Exfoliating bark which continues to be showy into winter. Great diversity available.
Maple Trees: Known for their fall color. {10 best Maples for fall color}
- Acer palmatum: Japanese maples are easy to grow, cold hardy and remarkable adaptable. Their green leaf forms have the best fall color!
- Acer ginnala: This smaller maple can be used as small specimen, patio tree and even works well in a container. It has a particularly fabulous fall color!
Myrica pensylvanica (Bayberry): Native to Martha’s Vineyard. Typically grows to 10’ x 8’. Plant in full sun. It tolerates drought once established. Deer resistant.
Nysa sylvatica (Beetlebung Tree): An island native that grows where there is quite a bit of water. Often found growing in low points and bogs on the island. Has beautiful fall color and a distinguished shape. We have some young beauties for sale at the nursery.
Osmanthus heterophyllus (False Holly): An evergreen shrub that typically grows to 10’ x 10’. Blooms late fall into the winter (Oct-Nov) with small fragrant white flowers. Shade tolerant and deer resistant.
Oxydendron arboreum: Native tree known for its fall color.

SHRUBS

Shrubs serve as wonderful seasonal extenders, bringing extended interest through late-season berries, persistent blooms, and brilliant autumn foliage.

Callicarpa dichotoma: Beauty Bush with beautiful lavender berries.
- Early Amethyst: A smaller variety
- Pearl Glam: A new Proven Winner cultivar, with dark foliage.
Callicarpa japonica Leucocarpa: An upright beauty berry with white berries. Pale pink-white flowers in summer.
Fothergilla: A native shrub known for its fall color. It blooms in June and later lights up your yard with red and purple fall color. If you need a large shrub the species to get is major. There is a dwarf species available called gardenii, for a smaller shrub.
Hamamelis (Witch Hazel): Large native shrubs known for their fall color.
- Hamamelis virginiana: A fall yellow bloomer
- Hamamelis vernalis: Blooms in February
Hydrangeas: Many of the panicle hydrangeas fade to pink and hold the dried blooms way into the fall. There are some late summer bloomers that bloom into fall.
Symphoricarpos (Snow Berry): A season extender. This shrub has large white berries.
Vaccinium Corymbosum (High bush blueberry): Native to Martha’s Vineyard. Typically grows to 8’x 6’. Great fall color! Plant in full sun. Deer resistant.
Viburnums: There are many which have fabulous fall color and berries.
- Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum): Native to Martha’s Vineyard. Non-fragrant flat-topped white flowers appear in late spring. Flowers give way to blue-black, berries which are quite attractive to birds and wildlife. Tolerates light shade.
- Viburnum dilatatum: Known for their drooping berries. We carry Cardinal Candy with red berries and Michael Dodge with yellow berries.
- Viburnum plicatums: These are Chris Wiley’s favorite Viburnum in flower.

late season spent flowers of Hydrangea macrophylla

VINEYARD GARDENS LANDSCAPING

AUTUMN GARDEN

NATIVE SUMMER BLOOMING SHRUBS

July 13, 2026 Karen Logan

NATIVE SUMMER

BLOOMING SHRUBS

Shrubs are often considered the bones of the landscape: providing structure, year-round beauty, and crucial ecological support. Native summer-blooming shrubs go a step further, they offer immeasurable benefits for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife during a season when gardens are in full swing. From early summer blooms to fall berries, these shrubs extend the growing season and support biodiversity. As entomologist and author Doug Tallamy explains in Nature’s Best Hope and Bringing Nature Home, keystone plants are “native plants that are essential to our ecosystems because they support 90% of the caterpillar species that enable our terrestrial birds to reproduce, as well as all of our specialist native bee species.”

Three standout native shrubs that thrive on Martha’s Vineyard:

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Cephalanthus

occidentalis

BUTTONBUSH

If your landscape includes wetlands, soggy areas, or you’re planning a rain garden, buttonbush is an ideal choice. Native to wetland edges and streambanks, this fast-growing shrub thrives in consistently moist or standing water and can handle heavy clay soil.

In summer, they bloom abundantly with fuzzy ball shaped flowers. These fragrant blossoms attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, such as tiger swallowtails and nearly two dozen species of butterfly and moth larvae. In fall, bright red seed heads feed songbirds, small mammals, and even waterfowl.

USES:

Rain gardens
Retention ponds
Erosion control

Its fast-growing root system helps with water quality near marshes, streams or wetlands. Since it can grow in water it is a favorite for wetland conservation.

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Hydrangea

arborescens

SMOOTH HYDRANGEA

Our native hydrangea, Hydrangea arborescens, is more than just beautiful, it’s an important host plant for the hydrangea sphinx moth and a magnet for butterflies, pollinators, and birds. Found naturally on wooded slopes and streambanks in the eastern United States, Hydrangea arborescens prefers partial shade and blooms on new wood, meaning it can be pruned close to the ground in late winter.

Several cultivars produce large, ball-shaped flower clusters. This low growing hydrangea fits nicely beneath taller trees and shrubs, or as part of a layered garden design.

Uses:

Mass plantings
Woodland and shade gardens
Pollinator and rain gardens
Sloped or naturalized areas

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Clethra alnifolia

SWEET PEPPERBUSH

Clethra is a wonderful addition to any garden. A versatile shrub that can thrive in most conditions. Typically found in open woodlands or swamps along the Atlantic coast this workhorse can flower from full sun to shade. Clethra prefers moist soil but can even adjust to dry, compact soil.

Fragrant white flower spikes appear mid-to-late summer, drawing in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In addition, to being a hardy shrub, Clethra has year round interest. In fall, its deep green leaves turn golden yellow, and in winter, dried seed pods add texture and interest.

Uses:

Seaside or woodland gardens
Mass plantings or hedges
Rain gardens
Pollinator-focused landscapes

Why Native Shrubs Matter

Planting native shrubs helps create sustainable, resilient landscapes. They support local wildlife, improve soil health, and require less water and maintenance once established. Whether you're restoring a coastal property or refreshing a backyard garden, native shrubs offer beauty with a purpose.

Mix early bloomers with summer and fall bloomers to ensure continuous habitat and visual interest throughout the growing season.

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SUMMER BLOOMING TREES & SHRUBS

June 18, 2026 Karen Logan

SUMMER BLOOMING

TREES & SHRUBS

Shrubs and trees offer numerous benefits to your landscape

Shrubs and trees are the living structures that make a garden more dynamic. They add depth, weight, height and multiple season interest to a space. Not only do they enrich the landscape with colorful vegetation, flowers, fruit and winter interest, they provide food and shelter for a variety of species. Creating habitat and maximum biodiversity is essential to providing for pollinators. Adding native shrubs and trees transforms environments into climate resilient landscapes through erosion control, drought tolerance and flooding.

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Clethra (in foreground and flanking the stairs)

Clethra alnifolia

SWEET PEPPERBUSH (Native)

Clethra is a wonderful addition to any garden, a versatile shrub that can thrive in most conditions. Typically found in open woodlands or swamps along the Atlantic coast this workhorse can flower from full sun to shade. Clethra prefers moist soil but can even adjust to dry, compact soil. It is a sweet scented native shrub that is a pollinator magnet. The white spire blooms lure butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. In addition, to being a hardy shrub, Clethera has year round interest. The deep green summer leaves turn yellow in autumn and in winter clusters of attractive seed pods remain.

USES: Seaside plantings, mass plantings, hedges or rain gardens

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Vitex castus-agnus

CHASTE TREE

Vitex is a beautiful summer blooming shrub. A deciduous, multi-trunk shrub with fragrant lilac blooms and aromatic gray-green foliage. Its flowers attract bees and many other pollinators. In addition, Vitex are deer resistant, moderately salt tolerant and have good drought tolerance once established. Full sun.

USES: Shrub border or a small tree to accent the landscape or patio.

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Lagerstroemia

CRAPE MYRTLE

Crape Myrtle is a deciduous tree that performs best in full sun. Loved for their long lasting summer flowers and their naturally sculpted trunks with attractive exfoliating bark. Crape Myrtle comes in a range of sizes from dwarf 2-3’ tall shrubs to standard tree size of about 20-30’ tall. The larger ones are often pollarded, a type of hard pruning that keeps the plant smaller and blooms more profuse.

USE: Focal tree, a hedge or as part of a border

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Hypericum

ST JOHNS WORT (native options)

Midsummer this outstanding pollinator shrub is adorned with vibrant yellow blooms with abundant pollen bearing stamens and gray blue fine textured foliage. During the winter the attractive seed pods remain, offering food for birds and late season visual interest. St John’s Wort prefers moist well drained soil but are highly adaptable and can withstand drought and soil compaction. They grow naturally on rocky ledges, in sandy areas and woodland openings. Prune hard in spring . They bloom on the new growth.

Hypericum hidcote is very popular with it’s blue foliage and longevity.

USE: Mass plantings borders or hedges

LEARN MORE: HYPERICUM

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Hydrangea

paniculata

Panicle Hydrangeas are the ‘no fuss hydrangea’ with long lasting blooms. They are the stars of the autumn garden when most other shrubs are no longer blooming. Hydrangea panicle goes through a color transformation starting with early summer white that fades to shades of pink or red before drying to beige in the winter. While Mophead Hydrangeas don’t attract bees, Panicle Hydrangeas do have pollinator value for generalist pollinators. They adapt to full sun or part sun. Some popular panicle hydrangeas we carry are Limelight, Limelight Prime, Little Lime and Bobo.

USES: Natural fence or border, focal point, erosion control or containers.

LEARN MORE: HYDRANGEAS

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JUNE GARDENING TIPS

POLLINATOR GARDENING

HYPERICUM

June 18, 2026 Karen Logan

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HYPERICUM

ST JOHNS WORT

There are roughly 15 species of native Hypericum in Massachusetts! Hypericum is a compact, mounded, deciduous shrub. During midsummer this outstanding pollinator shrub is adorned with vibrant yellow blooms with abundant pollen bearing stamens, backed by gray blue fine textured foliage. Hypericum is a perfect plant for any sunny or part shady garden. During the winter the attractive cone shaped seed pods remain, offering food for birds and late season visual interest. St John’s Wort prefers moist well drained soil but can adapt to most soil types, drought, soil compaction and salt. They grow naturally on rocky ledges, in sandy areas and woodland openings. They bloom on the new growth.

This long blooming shrub is a great addition to any garden!

Hypericum integrated into a perennial garden

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Some cultivars available:

Hypericum hidcote: A very popular variety with blue foliage and a long blooming period. Larger yellow flowers than the Floral Berry but not as impressive of a berry display.
Floral Berry: Multi season interest. The yellow flowers are followed by amazing berries in the fall
Hypericum calycinum: A ground cover with large yellow flowers. It can take partial shade but likes a little afternoon shade. With this groundcover more sun equals more flowers! Hypericums calcynum spreads stoloniferously (through underground stems). If it likes the spot, it will spread vigorously. A pollinator magnet!
Hypericum Blue Festival: Beautiful fine-textured powder blue-green foliage as the backdrop to the bright yellow summer blossoms.
Sunny Boulevard : Known for it’s extended blooming time July through September.

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Use:

Mass plantings along borders, hedges and good for stabilizing slopes

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Hypericum just before bloom

Hypericum prolificum (native) just before bloom in June

St.+John%E2%80%99s+Wort+-+Hypericum+%E2%80%98Hidcote%E2%80%99.jpg

St.+John%E2%80%99s+Wort+-+Hypericum+%E2%80%98Hidcote%E2%80%993.jpg

JUNE GARDENING TIPS

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

HYDRANGEA

June 5, 2026 Karen Logan

HYDRANGEAS

If you have a garden then most likely there is a good spot for a hydrangea. There are so many different varieties, sizes and light requirements that there is something for everyone. Panicle hydrangeas are your late bloomers that can withstand full sun; mopheads are shade loving hydrangeas with varying size options and most of them do well in containers. Oak leaf hydrangeas are bee magnets and there is even a northeast native that provides a valuable food source for the hydrangea sphinx moth. Hydrangeas mix well in both the cultivated and natural garden with their broad leaves complimenting the finer foliage textures of other plants and shrubs.

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HYDRANGEA

MACROPHYLLA

Big Leaf, Mophead or Lacecap

The genus name Hydrangea comes from hydor meaning "water" and aggeion meaning "vessel", in reference to the cup-like flower.

A deciduous shrub with a rounded habit that typically grows 3-6’ tall and as wide unless damaged by harsh winters or pruned smaller.
Mophead Hydrangeas produce ball shaped flower clusters
Lacecap Hydrangeas produce small flowers surrounded by a ring of larger flowers

Endless Summer, a newer macrophylla(mophead) that blooms on new growth instead of last years stems, so flower buds don’t get frosted in a severe winter or late spring frost.

GROWING HYDRANGEA MACROPHYLLA

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Best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates full sun only if grown in consistently moist soils.
Soil pH affects the flower color of most cultivars except white (blue in highly acidic soils and lilac to pink in slightly acidic to alkaline soils). Add aluminum sulfate to the soil to make the flowers bluer or add lime to the soil to make the flowers pinker. Begin soil treatments well in advance of flowering, as in late autumn or early spring.
Hydrangea macrophylla bloom on last year’s growth, meaning living, green stems should never be cut back in spring or early summer if you want flowers. Mid June is the perfect time to clean up your shrubs by removing completely dead, bare winter wood and brittle tips from the center of the plant. If your hydrangea requires any structural shaping or size control, wait to prune until immediately after flowering finishes in late summer so the plant has time to set next year’s buds before winter.
Best to mulch plants year-round with 3" of shredded bark, peat or compost.
Winter hardy but planted in sheltered locations gives additional winter protection. Regardless of protective measures taken, most bigleaf hydrangeas simply will not bloom (or will bloom poorly) in some years due to a variety of winter conditions.

hydrangea macrophylla

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Nikko Blue
Endless Summer
Bloomstruck
Blue Enchantress
Penny Mac
Glowing Embers
Lanarth White
Blushing Bride

USES

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* Group or mass in the
shrub border.
* A specimen or accent
for foundations and
other locations
near homes or patios.
* Hedges
* Containers

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HYDRANGEA

PANICULATA

Panicle Hydrangeas

Panicle Hydrangeas are the no fuss hydrangea with long lasting blooms. They range in size from large to compact depending on variety, allowing for many planting options in the landscape. A late blooming shrub, they become the autumn stars when most other shrubs are no longer blooming. Triggered by air temperature fluctuations, hydrangea panicle go through a color transformation starting with an early summer white that fades to shades of pink or red before drying to beige in the winter. Their nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies and bees late into the season, providing them with a vital food source.

HYDRANGEA PANICULATA ATTRIBUTES

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Panicle Hydrangeas thrive in full sun or morning sun, a place in the garden that mophead hydrangeas don’t flourish.
Bloom on new growth each summer so there is no risk of flower buds being harmed by the cold winter or late frost.
As the rest of the garden winds down, the fall panicle hydrangeas take center stage.
Flowers can even be left to dry on the plant in the fall and can stay looking good into the winter.
Panicle hydrangeas, bloom late summer and into the fall. The only hydrangea that blooms at the tips of the new growth and should be pruned in early spring when they first started growing. Too late to prune now in June.

hydrangea paniculata

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Limelight
Limelight Prime
Little Lime
Quick Fire
Little Quick Fire
Bobo (dwarf variety)

USES

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* Variety of sizes means
there’s a perfect fit for
most situations
* Smaller specimens ideal for
foundation, mass or
container planting
* Larger specimens ideal for
hedges and back of the
garden

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HYDRANGEA

QUERCIFOLIA

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oak leaf hydrangeas have beautiful large leaves similarly shaped to an oak leaf. The flower panicles are large, white and attract many bees. In autumn the leaves turn to a reddish hue. foliage transitions from green to maroon, falling off in winter to reveal beautiful exfoliating bark. Beyond its impressive foliage, the flowers also put on an exquisite show, changing from white to a stunning pink or red as the plant matures. Oak leaf hydrangeas prefer partial shade.

*Mophead, Lace Cap, Oakleaf and Climbing Hydrangeas all bloom on last years growth, so only prune out the dead stems!

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HYDRANGEA

ANOMALA

PETIOLARIS

Climbing Hydrangea

“First it sleeps, then it creeps and then it leaps.” This old adage seems to speak directly to the climbing hydrangea. This vine is slow to start but once it gets establish after a couple years it leaps! A vigorous vine with lush green foliage blanketed by beautiful lace cap white blooms. This hydrangea has year round interest, with their long lasting summer blooms that dry beautifully on the vine in autumn and when the leaves have fallen gorgeous exfoliating bark is revealed. Climbing hydrangea can thrive in full sun to shade. It can be planted on sturdy structures, like stone or brick walls, chimneys, and houses.

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HYDRANGEA

ARBORESCENS

Smooth Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens, our native hydrangea, is found along rocky wooded slopes, ravines, streambanks, and bluff bases in the eastern United States. Smooth hydrangea is the host plant of the hydrangea sphinx moth and attracts butterflies, moths, pollinators and songbirds. The blooms are on new wood and can be pruned back close to the ground in late winter. Several cultivars have flowers that make a ball-shaped bloom. It is low growing and stacks well beneath taller trees and shrubs. We carry Annabelle and Invincible Spirit

USES

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*Planted in mass
*Native specimen
*Pollinator garden
*Rain garden
*Shade garden
*Grows well on a slope,
naturalized area or
in a woodland

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FERTILIZE HYDRANGEAS IN EARLY SUMMER

All hydrangeas tend to grow better when they are fertilized, even the native ones.

If you missed feeding your plants early in the season when you did your spring clean up, you can make up for that now (before August 1). The plants that respond best to fertilizer this time of year are the rebloomers: big leaf (macrophylla), mountain (serrata) and woodland/smooth (arborescens) varieties. You may want to help them produce those reblooming flowers to carry your garden through to the end of the season

Panicle hydrangeas can take the most sun, all the other hydrangeas would rather be in some afternoon shade.

JUNE GARDENING TIPS

Hydrangea [illustration by karen blackerby logan]

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

SERVICEBERRY

March 27, 2026 Karen Logan

SERVICEBERRY

(SHAD TREES)

Amelanchier ×grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’

Known as Shad Trees on Martha’s Vineyard because they bloom when the Shad (a type of small fish) swim up the creeks here on the island to breed.

A native multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, about 20 feet tall, has year round interest. Serviceberries are one of the first to burst into bloom in April with their showy white flowers. Once the flowers pass, tasty purple colored fruit, similar in flavor to blueberries, follow in mid June. The fall brings showstopping brilliant orange to red autumn color.

Attract more wildlife to your garden with native berry producing shrubs like Serviceberry!

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VALUABLE SHRUB FOR WILDLIFE

Native to eastern United States and Canada, Serviceberries support numerous butterfly and bird species These early bloomers support pollinators in spring and produce sweet berries in the summer that support birds like cedar waxwings, robins, and thrushes. Once the berries ripen, they provide a rich source of nutrition and are a crucial food source for early nesting birds and returning migratory species.

Serviceberries are a valuable shrub for wildlife. One of the earliest blooming shrubs in spring, Serviceberries burst into bloom typically in April, making it an essential early spring food source for pollinators.

native berry producing shrubs

attract wildlife to your garden

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GROWING & CARE

Serviceberries have an upright habit with grayish to silver, smooth bark.

Easy to grow
Tolerant of most site conditions but does not tolerate salt or poor drainage. Prefers acidic, well drained soils in partial shade to sun.
It is susceptible to heat and drought stress.
Use as a small tree in mixed borders or foundation plantings.
Excellent companion with Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus), flowering dogwood (CornusBenthamidia florida), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), pink-shell azalea (Rhododendron vaseyi), arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), and whorled tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata).

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ATTRIBUTES

Attracts Wildlife: Host Plant / Other Pollinators & Wildlife / Attracts Songbirds / Attracts Bees

Tolerance: Deer & Rabbit Resistant / Urban Environment / Drought Tolerant

Additional Attributes: Edible / Low Maintenance

Landscape Use: Rain Garden / Specimen

Attractive Fall Foliage and/or Ornamental Fruit: Red to Purple Fruit / Fall Foliage

Height: 15-25 ft

Spread: 12-20 ft

Exposure: Sun / Part Shade

Soil Moisture: Average / Dry

Ornamental Interest: Spring Bloom / Summer Fruit / Fall Foliage