MAY GARDENING TIPS

May 5, 2025 Karen Logan

Fothergilla photo by karen blackerby logan

MAY

GARDENING TIPS

May brings warmer sunnier days, cooler nights and springtime rains, the perfect combo to get your newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials established! Here are some timely tips to make the most of your May garden.

Viburnum burkwoodii photo by Keith Kurman

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SOIL CARE: Feed the Foundation

Nourish your soil! Healthy soil = happy plants. Now is the time to enrich your soil with nutrients that support strong roots and vibrant growth. Whether you’re using bagged compost like Coast of Maine or Fafard, or creating your own from kitchen and yard waste, your plants will thank you.

Pro Tip: Test your soil! We’ve got easy-to-use soil testing kits in stock, so you can give your plants exactly what they need from the ground up.

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FERTILIZE: Give Last Year’s Plantings a Boost

Time to fertilize last years new plantings. Sprinkle organic fertilizer around the drip line (not too close to the base), where roots are actively growing. Organic fertilizers are best for slow, steady feeding and include secondary nutrients like calcium and magnesium, along with the essentials: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).

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MULCH: Nature’s Blanket

Leaf compost is a great island resource to use in your garden beds! This imitates the annual forest leaf fall and provides established plants with all the nutrients they need. Use leaves from your own yard and and/or leaf compost (shredded leaf mulch) that we carry to return local island nutrients to your gardens. We carry shredded leaf compost (island grown) as well as bagged Coast of Main mulches.

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ANNUALS: Cool-Weather Favorites Are Ready

Get planting! These hardy varieties love the cooler weather, so take advantage while spring is in full swing. Ready to brighten your beds and containers.

Pansies, Violas, Alyssum, Calendulas, Bachelor Buttons, Argyranthemum Daisies, Osteospermum, Lobelia

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PERENNIALS: Time to Plant and Divide!

It’s prime time to start planting your perennials. Already have some in the ground? If they bloom in summer or fall and are starting to emerge, now is a great time to divide them and spread the beauty.

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VEGETABLE GARDENS: Plant Now, Harvest Later

Prep and plant those garden beds! May is the season for cool-weather veggies, small fruits, and fruit trees. These are available at the nursery now! And a heads-up, mid to late May we will be bringing our basil and tomatoes out from our production facility to the nursery, but hold off planting them until nighttime temps warm up a bit more.

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TREES & SHRUBS: Perfect Planting Weather

Now is a great time to add trees or shrubs to your property. Early May brings sunny day, cool nights and springtime rain which are all great ingredients to get your trees and shrubs established! It’s the sweet spot to help them settle in and thrive through summer and beyond.

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PRUNE: Out With the Old

Now’s the time to prune away dead or diseased wood from trees and deciduous shrubs. Focus on plants that bloom on new growth.

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LAWN CARE: Out With the Old

Want a lush lawn all summer? May lawn tips:

Water less often, but deeply, to encourage deeper roots.
Mow a bit higher to prevent browning in the heat of summer.
Apply fertilizer if you skipped April.
Lime your lawn if you missed it in the fall, this helps balance soil pH over time. Lime now to ensure a healthy fall lawn.
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Always think ahead when gardening. Timing is everything!

HARDY ANNUAL CUT FLOWERS

April 3, 2025 Karen Logan

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

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HARDY ANNUAL

CUT FLOWERS

The Delight of Late Spring Bouquets

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

Learn more about Hardy Annuals & Succesion Gardening

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What are

Hardy Annuals?

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

Larkspur QIS Dark Blue with Papaver ‘Amazing Grey’

Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Boy' - ready to plant!

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Favorite Hardy

Annual Cut Flowers

Ready to Plant Today!

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

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

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

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

Antirrhinum majus 'Snapdragons'

Lathyrus odoratus 'Sweet Peas'

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A Garden

That Gives Back

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

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

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

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April Garden Tips

Learn more : Early Spring Color

APRIL GARDENING TIPS

April 1, 2025 Karen Logan

Dogwood illustration by karen blackerby logan

APRIL

GARDENING TIPS

Kickstart Your Garden for the Season!

Spring has arrived, and with it comes the excitement of a new gardening season! April is the perfect time to prep your yard, nourish your soil, and start planting for a lush and vibrant summer. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, here are some essential tips to get your garden in top shape!

Chiondoxa photo by karen blackerby logan

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Garden Clean-Up

Before diving into planting, clear away the remnants of fall and winter—dead leaves, broken branches, and debris that can harbor pests and diseases. We have a variety of gardening tools at the nursery to make clean-up easier!

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Soil Care

Healthy soil = healthy plants! Give your soil a boost by adding nutrient-rich compost and manure. We carry Coast of Maine compost and manure as well as Fafard products. Not sure what your soil needs? Use a soil testing kit (available at our nursery) to check its composition and adjust accordingly.

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Spring Annuals

Brighten up your garden beds and containers with spring annuals! Pansies are now available, and Sweet Alyssum will be ready soon. Plus, we’re excited to introduce a new selection of fall-sown Hardy Annuals, grown from seed by Andrew Wiley. Look for poppies, bachelor buttons (Centaurea cyanus), Queen Anne’s Lace (Ammi majus Select White), and more! Want to learn how to extend your blooms? Check out our blog post on Hardy Annuals.

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Edibles: Time to Plant!

April is the season to plant cool-weather vegetables, small fruits, and fruit trees. Whether you’re dreaming of homegrown lettuce, berries, or apples, we have everything you need to get started. Learn more about Cool Weather Veggies.

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Trees & Shrubs

Now is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs! Adding them to your landscape provides beauty, shade, and long-term benefits for the ecosystem.

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Pruning

Spring is the time to prune any diseased or dead wood from your trees and deciduous shrubs. This keeps them healthy and encourages strong new growth.

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Lawn Edging

A crisp lawn edge isn’t just for looks—it also keeps mulch, rocks, and soil neatly separated from your grass. We carry heavy-duty black plastic edging in 10-foot sections to help define your garden beds.

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Winter and early spring are great times to clean and sharpen tools.

Tool Maintenance: Sharpen & Clean

Before tackling your garden projects, take a moment to clean, sharpen, and oil your tools. This makes your work easier and extends the life of your equipment.

Tool Care Essentials:

A good pair of gloves, bypass pruner, lopper, disinfectant spray, and anti-bacterial wipes will make a big difference.
Need help sharpening your pruners, loppers, hedge shears, or pruning saws? Bring them to Vineyard Gardens, and Jeremiah Brown will sharpen them for you! (Fee applies.)
Don’t forget your spades and shovels—keeping them sharp ensures smoother digging.
Pro Tip: Store your tools in a 5-gallon bucket filled with sand and old motor oil to clean and prevent rust.

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Lawn Care: April is Prime Time!

April is the best month to fertilize and reseed your lawn. Grass thrives in cool weather, making spring the perfect time for new growth.

Fertilization Basics:

Grass needs a balance of macronutrients (N-P-K: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) and micronutrients.
We carry organic fertilizers that release nutrients slowly and inorganic options with higher N-P-K concentrations.
If you skipped liming your lawn in the fall, now is the time! Lime lowers soil acidity, but it takes months to take effect.

Weed Control & Seeding:

Apply pre-emergent weed control before Forsythia blooms.
Looking for an organic option? Try Corn Gluten, which prevents weed seeds from sprouting while adding nutrients.
For best results when seeding, add a layer of rich soil under the seed and keep it moist.

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Important Fertilization Law on Martha’s Vineyard

🚨 Reminder: Fertilizers cannot be applied until April 15. This law helps protect local water sources by ensuring nutrients go into the growing grass instead of leaching into the groundwater.

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April is a month full of gardening possibilities—clean up, plant, and prep for a beautiful season ahead. Stop by the nursery for all your gardening needs, and let’s grow something amazing together!

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[Plant Profile] Hellebores

Learn About : Hardy Annual Cut Flowers

HARDY ANNUALS

March 24, 2025 Karen Logan

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HARDY ANNUALS

The Magic of Succession Gardening

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

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

Learn more about Andrew Wiley's poetic gardening style

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

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Why Hardy Annuals?

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

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Best Uses for

Hardy Annuals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Available Now!

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

Larkspur 'Fancy Rose Striped'

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

Agrostemma 'Ocean Pearl'

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

Lathyrus odoratus / Sweet Peas

Antirrhinum majus / Snapdragons

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VINEYARD GARDENS

DISPLAY BED

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

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spring checklist

need help this spring?

[PLANT PROFILE] POPPIES

April 10, 2024 Karen Logan

POPPIES:

SPRING FAVORITE!

We love our poppies at Vineyard Gardens! We grow a lot of different varieties. There are both annual and perennial poppies. Some are truly perennial, some are short lived perennial and some are annual poppies. The annual poppies love to colonize by reseeding and return year after year. We raise our annual poppies from seed and grow a fine selection for your garden. One perennial poppy we grow from seed is the Spanish poppy, Papaver rupifragum, Double tangerine Gem. It is the latest blooming of the poppies with pretty apricot blooms in late summer. It grows wild in the mountains of Spain along with Spanish lavender.

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

PAPAVER ORIENTALIS/ORIENTAL POPPIES

The most famous of the perennial poppies are the Oriental Poppies. They are long lived perennials that bloom in early spring, go dormant in the heat of summer and then come back bigger and better the next year.

Oriental Poppies are known for their dinner plate sized blooms. The red with the black center is probably the best known. This year we have Crimson Red, Orange Red and Royal Wedding, a white one with a black center. We also have Turkenlouise, a red one with ruffled edges on the petals, and Princess Victoria Louise, a salmon colored one. Oriental Poppies are very dramatic flowers!

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

PAPAVER NUDICAULE/ICELAND POPPIES

Icelandic poppies, Papaver nudicaule (meaning bare stems), are another type of poppy that is considered perennial, but seem to be shorter lived than the Oriental Poppies. Iceland poppies are just gorgeous! Their crepe paper like flowers are very delicate and bloom on tall, thin 1ft stems. Plant 2-3 in a pot and enjoy them all spring and into early summer.

We carry Iceland Poppies in the Champagne Series (individual colors) and the Wonderland Series (a mix of colors). We have the Champagne Series in scarlet, pink, yellow, orange, and red for the individual colors. These are hardy but short lived perennials. They are native to sub polar regions of Asia and North America.

Iceland Poppies are blooming now!

ANNUAL POPPIES

Papaver rhoeas, Papaver commutatum, Papaver paeoniflorus, Papaver somniferum

The great reseeding poppies are the annual poppies. We grow these from seed, seeded in early to mid February and sell them in packs and 2” pots.

Following the spring through early summer flowering, annual poppies have beautiful seed pods that extend the season from summer into fall. These seed pods ripen and spill out into the surrounding soil and baby seedlings emerge the following year. I know of many sunny gardens where annual poppies have colonized and make a fabulous easy to grow 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 blotch 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!

VINEYARD GARDENS WORKSHOPS & COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

April 5, 2024 Karen Logan

Lettuce, herbs and lavender illustration by karen blackerby logan

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Join us Saturday Morning

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GARDEN WORKSHOP

EARLY SPRING PRUNING

SATURDAY APRIL 6TH // 11:00AM // VINEYARD GARDENS

Andrew Wiley will be leading a talk about the ins and outs of early spring pruning.

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GREENS & COOL

WEATHER VEGGIES

GROW YOUR OWN GREENS

Salad material, lettuce, spinach, endive, mignonette

The lettuces and the cilantro, in particular, can be done by direct seeding in Mid April.

Start the other herbs and cool weather veggies inside first and then plant out as seedlings.

WE GROW ALL THESE IN PACKS FROM SEED . WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF SEEDS & WILL HAVE A GREAT VARIETY OF PACK SELECTIONS!

COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

Brassicas (like broccoli), Cauliflower, Cabbage, Kale, Swiss Chard, Mustards, Collards

EAT LOCAL, GROW IT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD!

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ORNAMENTAL CHERRIES, JAPANESE APRICOTS & SPRING FLOWERING TREES

Now is the time of year to plant Flowering Apricots and Ornamental Cherries. Japanese Apricot Trees erupt in pink fragrant flowers in mid to late winter. They are especially fragrant on warm days.

spring color

spring blooming trees & shrubs

[PLANT PROFILE] ENGLISH DAISIES

April 3, 2024 Karen Logan

English Daisies

(Bellis perennis)

ORIGIN

These little, long blooming English Daisies are native to western, central and northern Europe. Their Latin name is Bellis perennis. Bellis is Latin for pretty and perennis means everlasting. True to their name they are both pretty and long blooming. They thrive in full sun and in partial shade; and are hardy to zones 4-8.

FAMILY

They belong to the family Asteracea. Plants in this family are considered the most evolved in the plant kingdom. Every petal in a daisy flower is a complete flower. One flower can be made up of a hundred petals, thus 100 flowers! That is what makes them more evolved. More flowers, more seeds, more ability to propagate, which spells success in the world of plants.

AN EARLY SEASON PLANT

We sell them in the 5” black perennial pots and grow them in a mix of white, pink and red flowers.

Try our new Galaxy Mix or the Bellisima series in red and in rose bicolor.
We also carry the smaller flowered Pomponette mix.
The one variety we grow from seed is JL Hudson’s Bellis perennis White. This cultivar overwintered outside for us in little pots. These seed grown English Daisies spread and perennialize for us.
Many plants like the English Daisies, the Forget Me Nots and the Poppies are only available early in the season!

WHERE TO PLANT

Save the Bellis perennis white for the ground so it can spread.

Try the Galaxy, the Bellisima or Pomponette Mix in a pot.

They all will do well in front of your border or along a path. In a rock garden or in containers.

They will love a well drained spot.

Remember spring is the best time to plant English Daisies!

HAPPY GARDENING!

[PLANT PROFILE] NARCISSUS

March 19, 2024 Karen Logan

NARCISSUS

(DAFFODIL)

Narcissus, commonly called Daffodils, are hardy spring flowering perennials that come back year after year. They are harbingers of spring, announcing that winter is coming to an end. The large, yellow common daffodil is one of the most ubiquitous springtime plants. There are 40 different species of Narcissus varying in size and ranging in color from white to yellow. They are a great cut flower.

“Plant daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and crocuses together at the edge of a path or walkway. As the flowers bloom in succession, they’ll mask each other’s dying foliage.” Gardenista

Vineyard Gardens Nursery Front Garden Bed filled with Narcissus

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GROWING CONDITIONS & CARE

Narcissus are spring blooming bulbs that are best planted in September or October. They go dormant in the winter and will bloom year after year while multiplying.

Flowering bulbs best to plant in autumn
Light: Sun or some shade
Plant in clumps in well drained soil
Deer resistant!!
Flowers should be removed (deadheaded) as they fade.
After flowering, let the leaves die down naturally for at least six weeks before removal.

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NARCISSUS AVAILABLE AT VINEYARD GARDENS THIS YEAR

Our Netherland forced bulbs that we potted up in the fall are now available!

Narcissus Red Devon
Narcissus Double Flowering 'Tahiti'
Narcissus cyclamineus 'Jetfire'

Narcissus ‘Tete e tete’
Narcissus Trumpet 'Dutch Master'
Narcissus Fortune
Narcissus Large Cupped 'Ice Follies'

We have a lot of the Dutch master variety available!

HAPPY GARDENING!

BROADLEAF EVERGREENS

April 28, 2023 Karen Logan

Rhododendron Maximum illustration by karen blackerby logan

Broadleaf evergreens have year round interest!

Often in spring we think we need flowers and color but evergreens are just as important to the landscape! Evergreens are often the bones of the garden. They are an integral part of winter, spring, summer and fall. Broadleaf evergreens are the trees and shrubs for all seasons because they have wonderful year round interest!

Rhdodendrons are wonderful for year round screening

The Benefits of Broadleaf Evergreens

They provide year round interest
Great for privacy screening
Drought resistant, once established
Provides habitats for birds and other small animals
Pollinator friendly!
Great for Martha’s Vineyards climate zone 7A (hardier than zone 7A).

Most broadleaf evergreens have a spectacular display of spring blooms!

Luckily they don't typically bloom all at the same time! Pieris japonica and Skimmia are the first to bloom, followed by the rhododendrons then azaleas.

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BROADLEAF EVERGREENS OF THE WEEK

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SKIP CHERRY LAURELS

Skip Cherry Laurels are vibrant evergreen trees that can create dense privacy hedges for any yard. Skip laurels grow to be 10-18 feet tall and 5-7 feet wide, with a moderate growth rate of roughly 24 inches per year. While they thrive in full sunlight, Skip laurels also fare very well in the shade. Their dense foliage is glossy green year-round. In the springtime, you’ll be rewarded with fragrant white blossoms that attract all kinds of pollinators. In fall and winter, Skip laurel trees produce red berries that attract songbirds.

Make excellent privacy screens

Green year-round
Fragrant, white blossoms in spring
Drought-tolerant
Smaller leaves than other laurels give a neat, compact look
Deer-resistant

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MAHONIA

Mahonia x media ‘Winter Sun’ is a small to medium-sized evergreen shrub capable of growing ten feet tall and five feet wide. It has a compact, upright growth habit with large, frond-like leaves that develop in whorls along its coarsely branched stems. Large spikes of fragrant, yellow flowers appear in late fall or early winter. The flowers develop into clusters of waxy blue berries eaten by many bird species. It is a dramatic focal point in the winter garden.

PLANTING TIP
Plant Winter Sun Mahonia in a sheltered, preferably eastern-facing site. It appreciates a moisture-retentive, but draining soil. Place where its blooms and fragrance can be readily appreciated in winter, such as near a path or seating area.

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AZALEAS

This year our spring flowering shrubs include the usual evergreen rhododendrons and azaleas. Azaleas are in the rhododendron family. Azaleas are a genus with many species. There are both evergreen and deciduous varieties available. ‘Most’ deciduous azaleas bloom after the evergreen azaleas. They will bloom on old wood before the plant has leafed out for the year.

Some deciduous, fragrant azaleas that we have available this year are:

Azalea viscosum, native swamp azalea: These bloom a little later and often bloom before the foliage emerges, making them extra showy. The fragrant blooms will perfume your entire property. They get 8-10ft tall and 6-8ft wide.
My Mary: A new yellow, fragrant, deciduous, spring blooming azalea that attracts pollinators and butterflies. It grows 4-5ft tall. (from Fern Brook)
Rhododendron prunifolium: Another azalea that we are carrying new this year. (from Fern Brook). Prunifolium is a species azalea (not a hybrid). It is a native wild azalea and is rare and hard to find. It is the first time we have ever had it!

There are some deciduous Weston hybrids with viscosum that stay smaller. If an 8ft shrub is too big for your spot try one of these :

Lemon Drop: A yellow blooming fragrant deciduous azalea
Innocence: A white blooming fragrant deciduous azalea

To see these deciduous azaleas in their full splendor they will be blooming in a few weeks at the Polly Hill Arboretum!

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BUXUS (BOXWOOD)

This year we will have a great selection of Buxus, an evergreen deer resistant shrub. We have Green Beauty, Green Mountain and Wintergreen Boxwood. We also carry a variegated boxwood, as well as a selection of dwarf boxwoods, including one we propagate from the Polly Hill Arboretum. They do best in some afternoon shade and are a great back drop for deciduous plantings. Buxus typically bloom in May. “Even though the flowers are insignificant, Boxwood is on the RHS 'Plants for Pollinators' list, highlighting plants that produce large amounts of nectar and/or pollen. It is a great choice for encouraging beneficial insect wildlife into your garden!” (Plants | Candide)

Buxus that we have available:

Buxus sempervirens: A new variety we are carrying this year is Buxus sempervirens Dee Runk. This variety has an elegant columnar habit with a soft and lush foliage of ovate, lustrous leaves. Its deep green foliage has shown good resistance to boxwood blight.
Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Winter Gem' : “An excellent evergreen shrub for small hedges. Among the hardiest of the small-leaved boxwoods, the rich green foliage can acquire a golden bronze hue in cold winter zones, but is one of the first to become green again in spring. Makes a wonderful addition to formal gardens, providing year-round interest.” (monrovia)

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HOLLIES

We love hollies at Vineyard Gardens! Chuck Wiley, co-owner of Vineyard Gardens, grew up near a nursery in NJ, called Fernbrook, that grow beautiful American hollies, Ilex opaca. American hollies are more deer resistant than other hollies. They need a male and a female tree nearby for berry production.

American holly, Ilex opaca

“The stout, stiff branches of this pyramidal evergreen bear dark green, non-glossy, spine-tipped leaves. Bright red berries occur on the female plants. Many varieties are grown for ornament, shade, and hedges. You must have both a male and female plant to have berries, The male must be the same holly species as the female and bloom at the same time. This is a slow-growing tree (but slower growing is stronger). Berries are attractive and a good winter food source for birds.” (Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center) The height of American holly grows up to 25ft. They can be pruned to be kept smaller.

Ilex opaca ‘Jersey Knight’: A male cultivar that is considered to be a good pollinator. typically grows to 7-8’ tall and spreads to 3-4’ wide over the first 10 years.
Ilex opaca ‘Jersey Princess’
Ilex opaca ‘Portia Orton’
Ilex opaca ‘Satyr Hill’

Japanese holly, Ilex crenata

“A dense, multi-branched, evergreen shrub with a rounded form that typically matures to 5-10’ tall and as wide. It is native to forests, thickets and mountain slopes in Japan, Korea, China and eastern Russia.. It has glossy, spineless, evergreen, deep green leaves which are attractive all year, white flowers which bloom in late spring (May-June), and black rounded berries which mature in fall on pollinated female plants.” (missouri botanical garden)

Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’

Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’
Ilex Crenata ‘Soft touch’
Ilex crenata ‘Compacta’
Ilex crenata ‘Green Lustre’

Japanese holly, Ilex crenata ‘Green Lustre’

Blue holly, Ilex x meserveae

“Bushy evergreen hybrids are (a) average height to 6-7’ tall, (b) glossy blue green leaves with prominent spiny margins, (c) purple stems, (d) greenish-white flowers in small clusters in May, (e) showy bright red berries on female plants in fall, often persisting until spring, and (f) excellent winter hardiness to USDA Zone 5.” (missouri botanical garden)

Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Maid’
Ilex x meserveae Castle Spire’

other hybrids

Ilex x aquipernyi ‘Dragon Slayer’
Ilex x Oak leaf
Ilex x Koehneana
Ilex x Nellie R Stevens
Ilex x Winter Bounty

Inkberry, Ilex glabra

“A mound-shaped, colony-forming shrub 6-12 ft. tall and wide. Lance-shaped, sparingly-toothed, glossy, leathery foliage varies in color from dark- to light-green both in summer and fall. Inconspicuous flowers are followed by black berries which persist well into winter. This species differs from all other evergreen hollies by lacking spines on the leaves, only having teeth toward the tip of the leaves.” (Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center)

Ilex glabra ‘Compacta’

Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’

Winterberry, Ilex verticillata

“The leaves of Common winterberry are not shaped with sharp teeth like other hollies and are not evergreen. The purplish green foliage turns black, in fact, with the first frost. The inconspicuous flowers, however, are followed by dense clusters of bright red berries that remain on the branches throughout winter. Winterberry is a globular, upright, medium-sized shrub, typically 6-10 ft. tall. Extremely showy in late fall and early winter when covered with their bright red fruit, these shrubs are either male or female--a trait typical of the holly family. Birds are readily attracted to them.” (Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center)

Ilex verticillata Southern Gentleman
Ilex verticillata Winter Gold
Ilex verticillata Winter Red
Ilex verticillata Little Goblin Guy
Ilex verticillata Little Goblin Red

[PLANT PROFILE] CREEPING PHLOX

April 26, 2023 Karen Logan

Creeping Phlox

(Phlox subulata)

A low growing, sun-loving herbaceous perennial that has an exceptional spring bloom. It creates a magnificent carpet of color ranging from red-purple to violet-purple to pink and white in April and May. The flowers are backed by dense green foliage that stays green throughout the summer and fall. It grows 6 in. tall, forming a thick mat up to 3 ft. wide and is known for ‘creeping’.

PHLOX SPECIES

There are many phlox species

Phlox subulata: Creeping phlox, Phlox subulata, is only one species with many cultivars.
Phlox divaricata and Phlox stolonifera: These are woodland phlox that spread and can take partial shade.
Phlox paniculata: This is the most common phlox, the tall English phlox. It does best in full sun.
Phlox drummondii: This is the annual phlox. Annuals, unlike perennials, bloom all summer.

CREEPING PHLOX VARIETIES NOW AVAILABLE

We have a wonderful selection of blooming creeping phlox available at Vineyard Gardens

Emerald Blue
Candy Stripes
Purple Beauty
Red Wings

CARE

Protect from Deer! They do eat Creeping Phlox.
It tolerates dry conditions once established
Good soil drainage is important
Cut back stems after flowering by 1/2 to maintain form and promote denser growth plus to stimulate a possible light rebloom.

WHERE TO PLANT

Perfect accent in a rock garden
Beautiful mixed with annuals.
Spreads easily on slopes & banks
Great along pathways
Attractive groundcover & border plant
Loves to cascade over walls!
GREAT FOR BUTTERFLIES & INSECT POLLINATORS!

HAPPY GARDENING!

SPRING FLOWERING SHRUBS

April 21, 2023 Karen Logan

Lilac illustration by karen blackerby logan

SPRING FLOWERING SHRUBS

Fragrant shrubs are a great reason to landscape your property. Plant them on your patio,deck or walkways. Plant them where the fragrance will fill your relaxing spaces, your outdoor spaces, where you socialize or simply beneath a window where the fragrance can filter into your home.

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VIBURNUM

The early spring blooming viburnum flowers are extremely fragrant. Viburnums will do well in full sun to part shade. They are used as specimens in shrub borders, foundation plantings, as hedges or screens. They are attractive to butterflies and birds and tolerate a broad range of soil conditions, including poor or compacted soils. Prune right after flowering.

Viburnum carlessi ‘Korean Spice Viburnum’ : Now available at our nursery. It can grow up to 7ft tall and wide.
Viburnum carlcephalum ‘Fragrant Snowball Viburnum’: A multi stemmed, deciduous shrub that gets 6-10ft tall and wide. It is a cross between Viburnum carlessi and Viburnum microcephalum. These Viburnums bloom better in more sun.
Viburnum burkwoodi: A multi stemmed shrub that is a little more compact, reaching 3-5ft tall and up to 7ft wide. It received the Pennsylvania Society Gold Medal award.

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LILACS

Lilacs are known for their fragrance and will soon be blooming. Only plant lilacs in sunny spots. The vulgaris species, with its large leaves, can get powdery mildew if in a shaded area.

I have heard horticulturists say the straight species Syringa vulgaris is the most fragrant but actually they are all fragrant.
Pocahontas has a deep purple color
Charles Joly is a cranberry colored award winner
Try the white blooming Vulgaris lilac
Miss Kim is a smaller lilac. Miss Kim gets around 5ft tall with light lavender fragrant flowers. Great for your foundation planting as long as it is sunny.
The Syringa meyeri is another smaller species of lilac whose smaller leaves are resistant to powdery mildew.
The cultivar Palibin has won both the Royal horticultural award and the Gold medal award.

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ROSES

Roses will arrive at the end of April and many are known for their intoxicating fragrance. We carry many cultivars of the David Austin Shrub roses which are known for their fragrance. The pink New Dawn climber has been a fragrant best seller for years.

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HONEYSUCKLE

The fragrant honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima, blooms in early spring and will fill your entire property with a lemony scent. Originally native to China it has been introduced through out the world. In some places it can be invasive if conditions are perfect. Let us know if you want one and we will propagate it for you.

Honeysuckle vines are also fragrant. Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major wheeler’ is a non-stop bloomer, coloring the garden from late spring through the summer with showy clusters of orange-red flowers. It is considered to be the longest blooming variety of honeysuckle and a superior flower for the hummingbirds.

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CLEMATIS

This Clematis Vine by Proven Winners and Sweet Summer Love are fragrant clematis. Sweet Summer Love is also a profuse bloomer and can get up to 10 ft.

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AZALEAS

Many azaleas are fragrant, particularly the deciduous ones. We have a native yellow azalea called My Mary, that is very fragrant when it blooms and has a 5 star rating.

Azaleas are part of the Rhododendron family. These plants like a rich acidic humus rich soil and afternoon shade. They are shallow rooted and need to be moist. Water often.

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CLETHRA

Clethra is another fragrant later blooming shrub that can be planted now. We carry the straight species, Ruby spice (the award winning pink blooming), the dwarf Hummingbird and Sixteen candles. The newer Proven Winner varieties are known for their fragrance, like Vanilla spice. Clethra are native to the island.

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OTHER FRAGRANT SHRUBS

There are many other fragrant plants available.

The Daphnes are very fragrant and many are hardy. We usually carry Carol Mackie, as well as others including Daphne odora, which is marginally hardy.

Many non hardy plants are fragrant and bloom all summer long but will not overwinter unless protected. Try them in containers and give them some winter protection. We recommend one of the Gardenias we bring in from Monrovia.

[PLANT PROFILE] FORGET ME NOTS

April 13, 2023 Karen Logan

FORGET ME NOTS

(MYOSOTIS)

ORIGIN

Myosotis is a Greek word meaning mouse’s ear which it’s foliage is thought to resemble. It is native to Europe and is in the family Boraginacea.

AN EARLY SEASON PLANT

We sell them early in the season in 5” black perennial pots.

This year our Forget Me Nots (Myosotis) are available in blue and pink. We do not carry pink every year.
The Myosotis we carry is Myosotis sylvatica or woodland Myosotis.
Forget Me Nots readily reseed themselves and will make their home throughout your garden. This is a good thing but it can also be a problem that is easily solved with a little weeding. Pull them out where you do not want them. Yet with their pretty blue flowers in early summer you may have trouble pulling them out! Another way to control their spread is to deadhead them right after flowering before they have time to set seed and spread.
They are beautiful flowers to have in a woodland border.

Forget Me Nots are only available in Spring!

[PLANT PROFILE] ASPARAGUS

March 29, 2023 Karen Logan

ASPARAGUS COMING SOON!

WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THEY ARRIVE. ONCE THEY ARRIVE THERE IS A SHORT PLANTING WINDOW!

In the past we carried Jersey Giant and Purple Passion.

“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, owner & founder of Vineyard Gardens Landscaping

GROWING

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.

GET YOUR HANDS MUDDY & HAVE FUN!

PALM SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE

March 24, 2023 Karen Logan

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PALM SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY APRIL 2, 2023

The nip of spring is upon us, the geese are flying north, our garden center on State Road is open and the landscape crews are hard at work on spring clean-up’s. Our greenhouse teams have been busy for weeks sowing seeds and waking up the bulbs we prepared in the fall. Once the season starts there’s no time for resting. As welcome as spring is, the best is yet to come!

Vineyard Gardens Nursery is stocked with vegetable seedlings, from early season greens to peas. We offer a nice range of plants from the mustard family that need to be started early in order to get established before the warm weather hits. We have a gorgeous assortment of Pansies and Iceland Poppies to add spring color to your window boxes. We also carry a wide array of spring bulbs in pots that can be transplanted into mixed planters. We have an amazing stock of spring blooms, beautiful shrubs, in-house grown veggies and all the gardening supplies you will need to to create a beautiful oasis!

Mark it on your calendars, Sunday April 2nd, a day to celebrate the beauty of spring!

CELEBRATIONS INCLUDE:

A FREE PLANT GIVE AWAY

Customers will get to pick between two surprise plants

A RAFFLE

This Palm Sunday anyone who makes a purchase at the nursery will get their name thrown into a hat to win a $25 dollar gift card. The name will be drawn Monday, April 3rd.

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FEDCO SEEDS

We have a great selection of FEDCO SEEDS! Fedco is the source for cold-hardy selections, especially adapted to our demanding Northeast climate. They have been in business since 1978. Fedco Seeds provides information for the grower about past trials and photos of the final product.

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BOTANICAL INTEREST SEEDS

We love the high quality seeds from BOTANICAL INTEREST! Botanical Interests promises to inspire and assist the inner gardener in everyone! They have been around since 1995. Botanical interests seed packets provide specific directions and ample information to get you comfortable with seeding. They also are a valuable online resource for plant information!

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NETHERLAND BULB COMPANY

The NETHERLAND BULB COMPANY’S large and healthy bulbs never disappoint! They are our go to supplier of Dutch bulbs and bare root perennials grown and shipped directly from their farms and facilities in Holland. We have alot of thier summer blooming bulbs available right now, including Dahlias, Gladiolas and Lillies. We also have onion sets and potatoes from Netherland bulbs.

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COAST OF MAINE

We would like to highlight our COAST OF MAINE SEED STARTING SOIL! This is an organic product used for seed germination and root cuttings. Coast of Maine has a great reputation for quality and consistency in their compost-based soils.

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We carry these trusted companies because they go above and beyond for their customers. They provide us with a resource to get you comfortable with trying something new!

get inspired!

*our instagram & facebook feeds*

[PLANT PROFILE] PANSIES & VIOLAS

March 22, 2023 Karen Logan

Pansy illustration by karen blackerby logan

PANSIES & VIOLAS

“Kids love the story of the fairy that lives in the pansy flower that Lauren Crosby made up. She would tell the story to kids during field trips to Vineyard Gardens. First she would carefully peel the outer 5 petals, one at a time. Exposing the female reproductive structure standing tall in the center. This was the fairy that lived inside the pansy.” -Chris Wiley, owner&founder at Vineyard Gardens Nursery

A BRIEF HISTORY

Pansies & Violas are of the genus Viola. The original plant species was viola tricolor, a wildflower of Europe and Central Asia. To the modern horticulturist, the pansy is the larger of the two flowering cultivars. The pansy is a hybrid plant cultivated as a garden flower. The name pansy is derived from the word pensee meaning “thought” and was regarded as a symbol of remembrance.

CARE & INFORMATION

Both do well in full sun or partial shade and need well drained soil. They like cool weather and can survive light frosts, snow and even sometimes overwinter. They are one of the first flowers available in spring.
They tend to get long and leggy in the heat of summer. Dead heading will extend bloom.
They dry beautifully when laid flat within pages of heavy books, and once dried can be used to make cards or other art projects.

SPRING FLOWERING SHRUBS

April 30, 2022 Karen Logan

Spring Flowering Shrubs

LILACS

We have a great selection of lilacs starting to bloom now! .

Canadian Lilac, Syringa vulgaris Pocahontas: The species of the purple lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is said to be the most fragrant (but they are really all fragrant). Extend the lilac season with this extremely hardy, early blooming variety. Deep maroon-purple buds open in early May to fragrant, deep violet blooms 7 to 10 days before common lilac varieties bloom. Reaches 10 ft. tall and wide.
Korean Lilac, Syringa patula Miss Kim: Try a Miss Kim Lilac if you need one that stays a little smaller. This upright, compact lilac blooms later than others, extending the season with deep purple buds that reveal clusters of highly fragrant, lavender-blue flowers. Foliage is burgundy-tinged in fall. Reaches 6 to 8 ft. tall and wide
Charles Joly, Syringa vulgaris: This is a great choice if you want a larger lilac,10-12ft tall. Gorgeous, deep wine red, double flower clusters are highly fragrant. Blooms mid-season, typically in mid-May. A lovely spring accent, screen or border specimen.
Sensation, Syringa vulgaris: A bicolor purple and white flowering lilac. A mid-season bloomer that typically flowers in mid-May. Branches are erect and open with rich green foliage. Use to create a beautiful spring flowering hedge, screen, or accent.
Dwarf Korean Lilac, Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’: This is another species of lilac that we carry which stays much smaller. This one has smaller leaves and smaller purple blooms that are also fragrant. Blooms profusely in midseason, typically mid-May, and first flowers at an early age. Use in shrub borders with an evergreen background or plant in groups to form a low hedge.
We also carry white French Lilacs

Plant your lilacs in full sun, well drained, rich soil and you will have fresh lilac bouquets every spring!

Honeysuckle

SHRUBS

One of my favorite spring flowering shrubs is the fragrant honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima. It is extremely fragrant, long blooming and comes back bigger and better year after year. This early bloomer fills my whole yard with perfume every spring. It does best in full sun but will do fine in partial shade.

VINES

This year we have 3 varieties of fragrant honeysuckle vines.

Mandarin, Lonicera x 'Mandarin': “Delightful, tubular, mandarin orange flowers with pale orange interiors on this vigorous vine with a twining habit that will quickly cloak shade arbors, old trees, and woven wire fences. Drape over walls or let it sprawl across the rooftop for cottage garden charm.” (monrovia)
Major Wheeler, Lonicera sempervirens: “Blazing red and gold blooms appear all summer long, and into fall. Stems are often red to purple turning greenish brown with age. A vigorous, fast growing vine, perfect for covering a fence post, arbor or trellis. This excellent selection thrives in high humidity and is mildew-free.” (monrovia)
Goldflame, Lonicera x heckrottii: “An excellent vine to use as a cover for trellis, arbor and fencing. Also works well when pruned to form a dense shrub-like shape. Purple to deep pink buds open to sweetly fragrant, golden yellow, tubular flowers throughout summer.” (monrovia)

Hummingbirds love them!

Rhododendrons

This year our spring flowering shrubs include the usual evergreen rhododendrons, as well as deciduous azaleas which are in the rhododendron family. They are shallow rooted plants that grow as an understory in the woodlands, like in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They are also found in various parts of Asia, like China and Nepal. They grow in high elevations because they like it cool.

Rhododendron cawtabiense, also called cawtaba rhododendrons:

Roseum Elegans: Medium sized broadleaf evergreen shrub that reaches 9-12’ tall and wide. Beautiful rose-lilac colored flowers. Best along a woodland border.
Grandiflorum Catawba: (Native)The Catawba evergreen rhody reaches 6-8’ ft tall & wide and has lilac-purple, trumpet-shaped flowers. It is beautiful planted in a grouping, as an informal hedge or a mixed or woodland border. They are in bud now!
Chinoides Rhododendrons: A smaller rhody that gets to about 4’ with white bell shaped flowers. Outstanding for use as an informal hedge or foundation plant.
Cunningham’s White: A smaller rhody that gets to about 4’. It’s a perfect middle-of-the-border flowering shrub. A natural under oaks and older coniferous trees. Also perfect in the woodland understory and in wild gardens.

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Rhododendron maximum : (Native) A large broadleaf evergreen reaching up to 15ft by 12ft wide. They prefer to grow in cool, moist spots with well drained soil, part shade to full shade. They have dense, large leathery leaves with rose-purplish to pink to white blooms. They are in bud now!

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Hybrids developed by Weston Nurseries.

PJM: A durable rhody that tolerates heat as well as cold. An excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, or containers. PJM’s are smaller leafed rhodies with bright laveder purple blooms, developed at Weston Nurseries. They are blooming now!
Olga Mezzit: A compact smaller leaf evergreen, developed at Weston Nurseries. More heat and sun tolerant than other varieties. An excellent choice for borders, mass planting, or containers. They are blooming now!

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Many of the deciduous azaleas are native, including viscosum and its hybrids.

Rhododendron viscosum: (Native) Native to Martha’s Vineyard! Gorgeous and fragrant.

They need to be watered often when newly planted!
Rhododendrons benefit from an application of mulch to keep moisture in the soil for their shallow roots.

[PLANT PROFILE] CREEPING PHLOX

April 26, 2022 Karen Logan

Creeping Phlox

(Phlox subulata)

PHLOX SPECIES

There are many phlox species

Phlox subulata: Creeping phlox, Phlox subulata, is only one species with many cultivars.
Phlox divaricata and Phlox stolonifera: These are woodland phlox that spread and can take partial shade.
Phlox paniculata: This is the most common phlox, the tall English phlox. It does best in full sun.
Phlox drummondii: This is the annual phlox. Annuals, unlike perennials, bloom all summer.

CREEPING PHLOX VARIETIES NOW AVAILABLE

We have a wonderful selection of blooming creeping phlox available at Vineyard Gardens

Emerald Blue
Candy Stripes
Purple Beauty
Red Wings

CARE

Protect from Deer! They do eat Creeping Phlox.
It tolerates dry conditions once established
Good soil drainage is important
Cut back stems after flowering by 1/2 to maintain form and promote denser growth plus to stimulate a possible light rebloom.

WHERE TO PLANT

Perfect accent in a rock garden
Beautiful mixed with annuals.
Spreads easily on slopes & banks
Great along pathways
Attractive groundcover & border plant
Loves to cascade over walls!
GREAT FOR BUTTERFLIES & INSECT POLLINATORS!

HAPPY GARDENING!

BROADLEAF EVERGREENS

April 25, 2022 Karen Logan

Azalea illustration by karen blackerby logan

Broadleaf

Evergreens

Year Round Interest

The Benefits

They provide year round interest
Great for privacy screening
Drought resistant, once established
Provides habitats for birds and other small animals
Pollinator friendly!
Great for Martha’s Vineyards climate zone 7A (hardier than zone 7A).

Most broadleaf evergreens have a spectacular display of spring blooms!

Luckily they don't typically bloom all at the same time! Pieris japonica and Skimmia are the first to bloom, followed by the rhododendrons then azaleas.

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HIGHLIGHTS

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AZALEAS

Some deciduous, fragrant azaleas that we have available this year are:

Azalea viscosum, native swamp azalea: These bloom a little later and often bloom before the foliage emerges, making them extra showy. The fragrant blooms will perfume your entire property. They get 8-10ft tall and 6-8ft wide.
My Mary: A new yellow, fragrant, deciduous, spring blooming azalea that attracts pollinators and butterflies. It grows 4-5ft tall. (from Fern Brook)
Rhododendron prunifolium: Another azalea that we are carrying new this year. (from Fern Brook). Prunifolium is a species azalea (not a hybrid). It is a native wild azalea and is rare and hard to find. It is the first time we have ever had it!

There are some deciduous Weston hybrids with viscosum that stay smaller. If an 8ft shrub is too big for your spot try one of these :

Lemon Drop: A yellow blooming fragrant deciduous azalea
Innocence: A white blooming fragrant deciduous azalea

To see these deciduous azaleas in their full splendor they will be blooming in a few weeks at the Polly Hill Arboretum!

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BUXUS (BOXWOOD)

Buxus that we have available:

Buxus sempervirens: A new variety we are carrying this year is Buxus sempervirens Dee Runk. This variety has an elegant columnar habit with a soft and lush foliage of ovate, lustrous leaves. Its deep green foliage has shown good resistance to boxwood blight.
Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Winter Gem' : “An excellent evergreen shrub for small hedges. Among the hardiest of the small-leaved boxwoods, the rich green foliage can acquire a golden bronze hue in cold winter zones, but is one of the first to become green again in spring. Makes a wonderful addition to formal gardens, providing year-round interest.” (monrovia)

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HOLLIES

American holly, Ilex opaca

Ilex opaca ‘Jersey Knight’: A male cultivar that is considered to be a good pollinator. typically grows to 7-8’ tall and spreads to 3-4’ wide over the first 10 years.
Ilex opaca ‘Jersey Princess’
Ilex opaca ‘Portia Orton’
Ilex opaca ‘Satyr Hill’

Japanese holly, Ilex crenata

Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’

Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’
Ilex Crenata ‘Soft touch’
Ilex crenata ‘Compacta’
Ilex crenata ‘Green Lustre’

Blue holly, Ilex x meserveae

Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Maid’
Ilex x meserveae Castle Spire’

other hybrids

Ilex x aquipernyi ‘Dragon Slayer’
Ilex x Oak leaf
Ilex x Koehneana
Ilex x Nellie R Stevens
Ilex x Winter Bounty

Inkberry, Ilex glabra

Ilex glabra ‘Compacta’

Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’

Winterberry, Ilex verticillata

Ilex verticillata Southern Gentleman
Ilex verticillata Winter Gold
Ilex verticillata Winter Red
Ilex verticillata Little Goblin Guy
Ilex verticillata Little Goblin Red

[PLANT PROFILE] POPPIES

April 21, 2022 Karen Logan

POPPIES ARE MY SPRING FAVORITE!

We love our poppies at Vineyard Gardens! There are both annual and perennial poppies. We raise our annual poppies from seed. We grow a fine selection, everything from the Shirley poppies, including an all white one called Bridal Silk, to the red flowering Greek poppy to the large peony flowered poppies. The perennial poppy we grow from seed is the Spanish poppy.

ORIENTAL POPPIES

The most famous of the perennial poppies are the Oriental poppies. They have big dinner plate size blooms. The red with the black center is probably the best known. We carry red, apricot and white flowering Oriental poppies. The flowers have a black center and are very dramatic. Oriental poppies will go dormant in the heat of August but they will come back bigger and better the next year. Make sure to mark the spot so that you don’t disturb the sleeping poppy.

ICELAND POPPIES

Icelandic poppies, Papaver nudicaule, are another type of poppy that is considered perennial, but seem to be shorter lived than the Oriental poppies. Iceland poppies are just gorgeous! They are starting to bloom now! We were able to get them in individual colors as well as in a mix. We will have red, pink, yellow and orange. Their flowers are very delicate on tall, thin stems holding the crape paper like flowers. Plant 2-3 in a pot and enjoy them all spring and into early summer.

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!

SMALL FRUITS & FRUIT TREES

April 13, 2022 Karen Logan

Blueberry Bush illustration by karen blackerby logan

SMALL FRUITS & FRUIT TREES

Spring is the best time to prune your fruit trees, grapes, raspberries and blackberries! It is also the best time to plant small fruits and fruit trees!

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CHECK OUT OUR PAST BLOG: Bare Root Strawberries & Growing Early Spring Edibles

IN STOCK AT VINEYARD GARDENS:

Bare root strawberries just came in
Strawberries
Raspberries & golden raspberries
Blackberries
Blueberries
Fruit trees (many kinds)

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STRAWBERRIES

Spring is the season to plant strawberries. There is a small window of time to plant them, especially bare root ones. Strawberries can be grown in garden beds, containers or hanging baskets. Strawberry flowers attract honeybees and butterflies who pollinate the flowers and ensure fruiting success. This year we are carrying 4 potted varieties, 3 bare root varieties plus the alpine strawberries Fragaria vesca.

Our bare root strawberries just came in yesterday! The bare root varieties are Sure Crop, Cardinal and Ozark Beauty. Sure Crop and Cardinal are June bearing and Ozark Beauty variety is an Everbearing.
Planting Bare Root Strawberries
- Bare root strawberries come in bundles of 15.
- Gently pull them apart, pulling on the foliage to separate them
- Then plant them into rich well drained soil and watch them grow
The 3” potted strawberries we have are the June bearing Honeoye variety and for the everbearing strawberries we have the All Star, Ft. Laramie and Quinalt varieties. Honeoye bears heavy yields of large fruit with a rich color.
Growing Strawberries
- Provide well drained soil with medium moisture. Amend beds in spring and fall with quality Coast of Maine Lobster Compost or Fafard Premium Compost (we carry both!).
- Strawberries are heavy feeders- feed with organic fertilizer from spring to mid summer.
- Mulch beds to retain moisture, keep down the weeds and to create a nice clean place for the strawberry fruits to lay on.
- Thin beds every few years, favoring the strongest runners.

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BLUEBERRIES

We have a wonderful selection of early, mid season and late variety Blueberries. Now is the time to get them in the ground!

This year, for the first time ever, we brought in some bare root blueberries. We have 2 cultivars available bare root, Jersey and Northland.
For blueberries, we recommend planting an early bearing variety, a mid season variety and a late season variety to extend your blueberry picking season.
Blueberries must be planted in early spring!!

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GRAPES, PEACHES & FRUIT TREES

GRAPES: Grapes should be pruned as soon as possible on cool days. If pruned much later they will “bleed” sap, much like a maple tree when its tapped for making maple syrup. Pruning for grapes and most fruit trees involves limiting the number of fruits produced as the tree or vine will try to make many more fruits than the tree has the energy to fully mature. Often excess fruits will fall off and the ones remaining may be smaller than on a tree properly pruned. This is also the best time to plant grapes!

PEACHES: One of the most important sprays for peaches is a lime sulfur mixture to prevent peach leaf curl, a very common disease of peaches. As the name describes, the leaves turn red, bumpy, curl up and then most of the leaves fall off weakening the tree just when it needs the most energy to produce fruit. This is an organic spray and should be done before the leaves begin to emerge.
FRUIT TREES: We carry apple, pear, cherry, peach and plum trees .Spring is the great time to plant them!
- Pruning apple trees: When you are done pruning an apple tree there is usually more on the ground then left on the tree.

MAY

GARDENING TIPS

SOIL CARE: Feed the Foundation

FERTILIZE: Give Last Year’s Plantings a Boost

MULCH: Nature’s Blanket

ANNUALS: Cool-Weather Favorites Are Ready

PERENNIALS: Time to Plant and Divide!

VEGETABLE GARDENS: Plant Now, Harvest Later

TREES & SHRUBS: Perfect Planting Weather

PRUNE: Out With the Old

LAWN CARE: Out With the Old

Always think ahead when gardening. Timing is everything!

HARDY ANNUAL

CUT FLOWERS

The Delight of Late Spring Bouquets

What are

Hardy Annuals?

Favorite Hardy

Annual Cut Flowers

Ready to Plant Today!

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

A Garden

That Gives Back

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

APRIL

GARDENING TIPS

Kickstart Your Garden for the Season!

Garden Clean-Up

Soil Care

Spring Annuals

Edibles: Time to Plant!

Trees & Shrubs

Pruning

Lawn Edging

Tool Maintenance: Sharpen & Clean

Tool Care Essentials:

Lawn Care: April is Prime Time!

Fertilization Basics:

Weed Control & Seeding:

**Important Fertilization Law on Martha’s Vineyard**

April is a month full of gardening possibilities—clean up, plant, and prep for a beautiful season ahead. Stop by the nursery for all your gardening needs, and let’s grow something amazing together!

HARDY ANNUALS

The Magic of Succession Gardening

Why Hardy Annuals?

Best Uses for

Hardy Annuals

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

Available Now!

VINEYARD GARDENS

DISPLAY BED

POPPIES:

SPRING FAVORITE!

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

PAPAVER ORIENTALIS/ORIENTAL POPPIES

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

PAPAVER NUDICAULE/ICELAND POPPIES

Iceland Poppies are blooming now!

ANNUAL POPPIES

This year we are growing:

Ready to be planted now!

GROWING & CARE

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

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Join us Saturday Morning

GARDEN WORKSHOP

EARLY SPRING PRUNING

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GREENS & COOL

WEATHER VEGGIES

GROW YOUR OWN GREENS

COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

EAT LOCAL, GROW IT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD!

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ORNAMENTAL CHERRIES, JAPANESE APRICOTS & SPRING FLOWERING TREES

English Daisies

(Bellis perennis)

ORIGIN

FAMILY

AN EARLY SEASON PLANT

Many plants like the English Daisies, the Forget Me Nots and the Poppies are only available early in the season!

Important Fertilization Law on Martha’s Vineyard