FRAGRANT FLOWERING SHRUBS & VINES

FRAGRANT

FLOWERING

SHRUBS & VINES

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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Lilacs

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Viburnum burkwoodi

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Azaleas

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VIBURNUM

Early spring blooming viburnums are known for their exceptionally fragrant flowers. They grow well in full sun to part shade and are commonly used as specimen plants, in shrub borders, foundation plantings, or as hedges and screens. Viburnums attract butterflies and birds and tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, including poor or compacted soils. Prune immediately after flowering.

• Viburnum carlessi ‘Korean Spice Viburnum’ : 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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Viburnum burkwoodi

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Viburnum carlcephalum

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LILACS

Lilacs are prized for their fragrance and will be blooming soon. They should be planted in full sun only, as the Syringa vulgaris species, with its large leaves, is prone to powdery mildew in shaded conditions. While some horticulturists suggest that Syringa vulgaris is the most fragrant, in reality all lilacs are wonderfully fragrant.

• Canadian Lilac, Syringa vulgaris Pocahontas: The species of the purple lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is said to be the most 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.

• The Syringa meyeri is another smaller species of lilac whose smaller leaves are resistant to powdery mildew.

• 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. Great for your foundation planting as long as it is sunny.

• 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.

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

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Syringa vulgaris

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Lillac

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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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Rosa double pink knockout

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HONEYSUCKLE

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.

Hummingbirds love them!

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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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Clematis pink champagne

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Clematis ‘Sweet Autumn’

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Clematis

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AZALEAS

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

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Azalea exbury

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deciduous Azalea

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Azalea 'Landmark'

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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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EARLY SPRING EDIBLES

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GROWING EARLY

SPRING EDIBLES

SMALL FRUITS & FRUIT TREES

Spring is the ideal time to prune fruit trees, grapes, raspberries, and blackberries. It’s also the best season to plant small fruits and fruit trees. We offer a strong early-spring selection, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. The early spring selection is best!

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

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Rasberry Bare Root

Blueberry Vaccinium Top Hat

Strawberry ‘Fort Laramie’

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STRAWBERRIES

TIPS FOR PLANTING STRAWBERRIES

There is a short spring window for planting strawberries, especially bare root ones. They can be grown in garden beds, containers, or hanging baskets, making them a versatile addition to any space. Their flowers also attract honeybees and butterflies, supporting pollination and helping ensure a successful fruit crop.

• Cultivars of strawberries available:

  Strawberries in 3"black pots

  • Honeoye is our favorite, but all of them are good. Honeoye bears heavy yields of large fruit with a rich color.

  • Fort Laramie

  • All Star

  • Quinalt

• Growing potted 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.

• 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

Strawberry All Star

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Strawberry Honeoye

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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. We recommend planting 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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Blueberry Flowers

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Low Bush Blueberries

Blueberry Chandler

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GRAPES & FRUIT TREES

We carry a variety of fruit trees: apple, pear, peach, cherry, and sour cherry trees. Sour cherries make especially excellent pies.

• Apple trees: When you’re finished pruning an apple tree, there is often more on the ground than remains on the tree.

• Grapes: Grapes should be pruned as soon as possible on cool days. If pruning is delayed, they may “bleed” sap, similar to a maple tree when tapped for syrup. Pruning grapes, like most fruit trees, also helps balance the crop by limiting fruit production; vines and trees often set more fruit than they can fully mature. Without proper pruning, excess fruit may drop, and what remains is often smaller.

• 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.

  Spring is the best time to plant grapes and all fruit trees!

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ASPARAGUS & POTATOES

Now available bare root asparagus and potatoes!

Asparagus Bundles of 5, Bundles of 10 & Bundles of 25

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Asparagus Millenium bundles of 5

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Asparagus Purple Passion Bundles of 10

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Asparagus Purple Passion Bundles of 25

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EAT LOCAL, GROW IT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD!

APRIL GARDENING TIPS

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!

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Viburnum burkwoodii photo by keith kurman

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In the greenhouse photo by andrew wiley

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Chiondoxa photo by karen blackerby logan

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.

• COMPOSTING: Incorporate any green manure crops from fall plantings, along with compost or composted cow manure, by tilling them into the soil. A soil test for pH and nutrients will indicate whether lime or fertilizer is needed, which can be applied at the same time as these amendments and then tilled or dug in together. Compost options available at Vineyard Gardens.

• PEAS & ONIONS can be planted now once the cold snap ends.

• GARLIC: If you planted garlic last fall a side dress of fertilizer will get them growing again.

• SEEDS: You can get a head start today by planting seeds of all the cool weather lovers like lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, leeks, inside to be planted out in 3 or so weeks. Fedco and Botanical Interest seeds are available at Vineyard Gardens. We also have all the supplies to start your own seeds, including seed starting soil mixes, jiffy pots and legume inoculant for your peas.

  • Growing: Many seeds need light to germinate so it is best to plant them right on the surface. General planting depth rule is plant 2x the thickness of the seed. The tiny seeds go right on top of the soil. Keep slightly moist at all time until the germinate

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Trees & Shrubs

Now is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs! The rain that normally comes in April helps with the watering. The cool weather promotes underground root growth. Adding them to your landscape provides beauty, shade, and long-term benefits for the ecosystem.

• Shrubs that bloom on the new growth can be pruned in early spring. Examples would be the panicle hydrangeas and caryopteris or blue mist shrub.

• It is especially important to fertilize newer plantings, trees and shrubs that were planted in the last year or two. Fertilizing now will allow the rain to dissolve the fertilizer and get it into the root zone for the push of spring growth.

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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.

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.

**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.

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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