POETIC GARDENS

July 20, 2026 Karen Logan

Andew Wiley, working on Vineyard Gardens display bed

A PASSION

FOR PLANTS

Vineyard Garden’s Andrew Wiley, a creative plant ‘genus’

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It’s not just a job for Andrew Wiley, his passion for plants is infused in his bloodline. As a child he grew up at Vineyard Gardens, watching his horticulturalist parents, Chris and Chuck Wiley develop a singular greenhouse and lawn mowing business into the vibrant establishment it is today. Not only did Andrew soak in the atmosphere and information as a boy, he now embraces everything about plants, landscaping and design. After an unmatched year at Great Dixter House & Gardens, Andrew’s plant knowledge and creativity in the landscaping world has been unleashed. His ethereal and poetic gardens are a wonderful demonstration in succession planting, filling garden beds with continuous blooms throughout the year. His front bed display at Vineyard Gardens is constantly evolving, never a dull moment from one plant finishing it’s bloom cycle to a new one opening up. Within the display bed there are many beautiful vignettes that seamless work together as a whole.

Next time you are at Vineyard Gardens take a meditative walk along the display garden and you will notice something new, fresh and exciting each time.

“This photo is reminiscent of my time in England at Great Dixter All three of these plants can be found in the garden there. This Phlox was originally a seedling given to Christopher Lloyd by Margery Fish and is known at Dixter as Phlox paniculata ‘Margery Fish.’ Piet Oudolf decided to name the phlox ‘Dixter’ as it was never given a trademark name, something Great Dixter does not do with their plants for various reasons. The Salvia is one of my favorite biennials, best practice is to always plant all biennials in the fall. This will always give you bigger and better plants with much longer bloom time than if planted in Spring. The Marigold (Tagetes) was used on the Long Border at Dixter where Fergus received the seeds from a conference in France. I collected and brought back seeds from these plants. A true scrambler this Marigold gets huge and is best planted where it can tumble over and sprawl around.” Andrew Wiley

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July’s Display Bed

Take a virtual walk to learn about Vineyard Gardens’ July display bed.

Have you ever had the chance to walk through a garden with Andrew? His energy and excitement for designing with plants is unmeasured. Spewing off latin names and talking about the evolution of gardens and biodiversity you feel like you just had a master class in horticulture. Andrew’s contagious spirit will have you walking away from Vineyard Gardens with a million plants because he made you fall in love with every single one of them!

SUCCESSION GARDENING

PERENNIALS FOR SHADE

July 15, 2026 Karen Logan

Brightening the Shady Garden with Summer Perennials

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

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

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Hosta

Sanguisorba ‘Lilac Squirrel’

Astilbe

Alchemilla, Lady's Mantle

Astilbe Pumila

Anenome

Clematis Boulevard Acropolis

Clematis Sweet Autumn

Ferns

Athyrium Brilliance

Osmunda regalis

Filipendula Kahome

Geranium Max Frei

Geranium Rozanne

Heuchera Dolce Cherry Truffles

Heuchera Berry Smoothie

Heuchera Primo Wild Rose

Heuchera Snow Angel

Hosta Frech Fries

Thalictrum Black Stockings

Thalictrum flavum glaucum

Euphorbia

Foamflower

DEER RESISTANT PERENNIALS FOR SHADE

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

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

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

PERENNIALS GROUNDCOVERS FOR SHADE

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

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

Our Go-To Shade Favorites

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

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

SHADE LOVER: ASTILBE

POLLINATOR MONTH: NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

SHADE LOVER: HEUCHERA

JULY GARDEN TIPS

July 1, 2026 Karen Logan

JULY

GARDEN TIPS

As the heat ramps up there are many ways to keep your garden looking beautiful. With a few smart strategies, you can keep your plants vibrant and healthy, ensuring a spectacular display late into the season.

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Watering: Efficiency is Key

Irrigate borders and lawns infrequently but deeply. Generally, gardens and lawns need about 1 inch of water per week, or a deep watering that penetrates 6 inches into the soil.
Use a rain gauge to keep track of natural rainfall and only supplement with irrigation when truly needed.
Thinking long-term? Consider converting parts of your lawn to lower-maintenance groundcovers, shrub or perennial borders, or even meadow plantings. This reduces water needs and boosts biodiversity!

What to Prune and When

Now is the time to cut back any yellowing daffodil foliage. Remember, leaving it intact for as long as possible is crucial, as the plant uses this time to photosynthesize and store energy in its bulb for next spring's display.
Give asters, chrysanthemums, and other late-summer perennials their final pinch in early July to encourage branching and a fuller form. If some perennials look a bit congested, don't hesitate to thin stems to improve air circulation.
After their spring flowering, give a hard cut to catmint (Nepeta), lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis), and perennial geraniums. They'll thank you with a fresh flush of growth!

Weeds & Mulch

The golden rule of weeding? Catch them before they go to seed! This prevents countless new weeds from sprouting.
Mulch! Add organic mulch to any bare spots or plant another "season extender." Shredded leaves saved from fall cleanup are a fantastic, natural, free, and local mulch for annuals, perennials, and even vegetable gardens. They break down over the season, enriching your soil.

Vegetable Gardens

Keep the harvest coming by direct sowing succession crops like radish, lettuce, carrots, chard, and beets for your next harvest.
Fertilize heavy-feeding crops such as corn, tomatoes, squash, peppers, potatoes, onions, and eggplant now to support their continued growth.

Container Plants

Container plants are heavy drinkers and eaters, especially in the summer.

Feed Regularly. Opt for compost tea, fish emulsion, or seaweed extract every 7-10 days. These organic liquid feeds provide essential nutrients.
Water Wisely. On sunny, hot days, your containers might need daily watering. We recommend a deep watering once per day, letting the plants "hold" between waterings encouraging them to develop stronger, tougher roots. Only water when plants show signs of wilting.

Biennials: Next Year's Blooms

Get a head start on next year's garden by sowing seeds of biennials now. Plants like foxgloves, Angelica, Salvia sclarea, Lunaria, and Dianthus will produce leaves this year, overwinter, burst into glorious flower next year and set seed their second season.

Season Extenders

Want to keep color bursting in your garden as summer winds down? Now's the perfect time to plant late bloomers and season extenders. They'll get established nicely and then light up your landscape when other plants are fading. Consider adding:

Tender Salvias:
- 'Black and Blue' Salvia guaranitica for a deep indigo color
- Pineapple Sage for a fragrance
- Dalvia uliginosa for its baby blue flowers

Classic Fall Favorites:
- Asters and mums
- Chrysanthemum pacificum

Hellstrip Gardening

IN THE WEEDS

ASTILBE

June 9, 2026 Karen Logan

ASTILBE

Bring Vibrant Texture and Color to Your Shade Garden

GROWING ASTILBE

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

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

ASTIBLE ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES!

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COMPANION PLANTING

Perfect Combinations for Moisture & Shade

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

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

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CARE

Skip the Deadheading!

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

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

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Astilbe Varieties

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

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

JUNE GARDENING TIPS

ANNUALS

June 8, 2026 Karen Logan

HOW

ANNUALS COLONIZE

THE GARDEN

THE MAGIC OF RESEEDING

Annuals are celebrated for providing brilliant, non-stop color all summer long. Unlike perennials, annuals complete their entire life cycle in a single season; germinating, blooming, producing seed, and then dying as winter approaches.

But their story doesn't end there, before they go, they drop their seeds to the earth. Hidden in the soil through the winter, these seeds burst to life the following spring as a brand-new generation. Often the seedlings are identical or very similar to the mother but these seedlings aren't always carbon copies of the mother plant. Much like human brothers and sisters, they share a family resemblance but can often surprise you with unique variations.

When a plant successfully naturalizes and drops seed in the same area year after year, it is called colonizing. This process creates effortless, natural-looking drifts in the landscape. If you want to welcome this self-sustaining magic into your yard, here are some fantastic annuals (and biennials!) that love to colonize:

Poppies
Bachelor’s Buttons
Cleome (Spider Flower)
Larkspur
Browallia americana (Jamaica Forget-Me-Not)
Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
Foxgloves (A classic biennial that colonizes)

Because they put all their energy into a single season, annuals usually boast a much longer blooming window than perennials, with many flowering non-stop from June until frost. By planting colonizing varieties, you get the best of both worlds: unbeatable summer-long color, and a beautiful return performance next spring!

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

Calibracoa Sweet Peach. Annual blooms all summer.

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

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Tips for

Reseeding Success

If you want to encourage your annuals and biennials to naturalize and carpet your garden beds next spring, a few simple adjustments to your maintenance routine will maximize your success:

Time Your Deadheading: Cutting back faded flowers keeps the plant blooming vigorously all summer. However, if you want the plant to drop seed for next year, you must stop deadheading later in the season. The flower heads need time to dry, mature, and develop viable seeds on the stem.
Go Easy on the Mulch: Avoid burying the area around the mother plant under a heavy layer of mulch. Many annual seeds are tiny and require direct contact with the soil and ambient sunlight to trigger spring germination.
Rethink Your Fall Cleanup: If you are trying to establish a colony of self-seeding plants, in the fall mulch that specific area very lightly, or skip it altogether, so you don't accidentally smother the fallen seeds.

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TRY THESE!

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

There are new introductions of cultivars within each of these.

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

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LONG BLOOMING PROVEN WINNER ANNUALS

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

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LESSER KNOWN ANNUALS THAT ARE STRONG GARDEN PERFORMERS

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

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RECOMMENDED DEER RESISTANT ANNUALS

Lantanas / Salvias / Daturas / Ricinus

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TRY ADDING ANNUAL VINES TO CONTAINERS & HANGING BASKETS

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

Nasturtiums

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

Dahlia

Cosmos Sonata Pink

Geraniums

Osteospermum Serenity Bronze

Petunia Easy Wave Blue

Portulaca Fuschia

Portulaca Fuchsia

Salpiglossis

Thunbergias

Calla Lily_Zantedeschia Snow Storm

Ipomoea Heavenly Blue

Calibrachoa_Million Bells

Sweet Alyssum

Nicotiana langsdorfii

Coleus

Cleome Senorita Blanca

Cleome Senorita Rosalita

Hibiscus Tropical Jewel Amber

Hibiscus Tropical Jewel Ruby

Lanatana Bandana Mango

Lantana Sunrise Rose

Lantana Bandana Lemon Zest

Lantana Bandera Red

Lantana Lucsious Golden Gate

Lantana Samantha

Tibouchina urvilleana

Tithonia

Eschscholtzia Californica Orange Poppy

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Integrating Annuals into Your Garden Design

Annuals are the secret weapon for creating a dynamic, cohesive landscape. Whether you are tucking them into perennial borders, designing container displays, or hanging lush baskets, they offer an unbeatable, season-long consistency of color that anchors your overall garden design.

When you allow annuals to reseed naturally, they act as a beautiful visual thread that ties the entire garden together. Because they sprout in a delightful, random fashion, weaving seamlessly between and within your established perennials—they create an effortless, cottage-style aesthetic with no apparent pattern.

Unlike perennials, which shouldn't be overcrowded if they are to thrive, annuals are excellent for filling the gaps between your permanent plantings. The golden rule? Learn to identify the young seedlings as they emerge in early spring so you don’t accidentally pull them out thinking they are weeds!

We Grow an Assortment of Annuals!

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* Fillers in perennial
beds.
* Use in hanging baskets
* Use in container
plantings
* Many annuals make
great cut flowers.

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Hanging Baskets

***MORNING GLORIES***
***Heavenly Blue***
***Chocolate***
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***BEGONIAS***
***Solenia Dark Pink***
***Bossa Nova Orange***
***Encanto Pink***
***Miss Miami***
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***PETUNIAS***
***Headliner Banana Cherry***
***Headliner Raspberry Swirl***
***Headliner Night Sky***
***Surfinia Magenta***
***Surfinia Heavenly Blue***
***Heavenly Amethyst Burst***
***Patio Radiant Dark Blue***
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***LOBELIA***

***THUNBERGIA***
***Orange Wonder***
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IMPATIENS
***Double Sparkler Hot Pink***
***Dark Red***
***New Guinea Impatiens***
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***GERANIUMS***
***Great Balls of Fire Light***
***Caliente Orange***
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***FUCHSIA***
***Wind Chimes Basket***
***Red/White***
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TORENIA
***Summer Wave***
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***SCAEVOLA***
***Whirlwind Blue***

Geranium Great Balls of Fire Light Lavender

Begonia Bossa Nova Orange

Begonia Encanto Pink

Begonia Miss Miami

Begonia Solenia Dark Pink

Fuchsia Aretes Upright Rio Grande

Fuchsia

Geranium Caliente Orange

Geranium

Impatiens Double Sparkler Dark Red

Impatiens Double Sparkler Hot Pink

Ipomoea Chocolate (Morning Glory Chocolate)

Petunia Headliner Banana Cherry

Petunia Headliner Night Sky

Petunia Headliner Raspberry Swirl

Petunia Heavenly Amethyst Burst

Petunia Surfinia Heavnely Blue

Petunia Surfinia Magenta

Torenia Summer Wave Large Blue

CONTAINER PLANTING

JUNE GARDENING TIPS

PEONIES

May 10, 2026 Karen Logan

PEONIES

The Queen of the Spring Garden

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

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

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

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PAEONIA LACTIFLORA (HERBACEOUS)

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

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

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

Paeonia lactiflora we’d like to highlight:

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

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

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PAEONIA X SUFFRUTICOSA (TREE PEONY)

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

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

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

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ITOH PEONIES

The Best of Both Worlds

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

We also carry a smaller quantity of the following:

Itoh Old Rose Dandy
Itoh Misaka
Itoh Takara

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The Cut Flower Standard

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

POPPIES

April 10, 2026 Karen Logan

POPPIES:

SPRING FAVORITE!

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

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

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

PAPAVER ORIENTALIS/ORIENTAL POPPIES

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

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

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

PAPAVER NUDICAULE/ICELAND POPPIES

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

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

Iceland Poppies are blooming now!

ANNUAL POPPIES

Papaver rhoeas, Papaver commutatum, Papaver paeoniflorus, Papaver somniferum

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

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

This year we are growing:

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

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

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

AUGUST GARDEN TIPS

August 1, 2025 Karen Logan

(L to R) Coreopsis, Rudbeckia, Agastache & Allium

AUGUST

GARDEN TIPS

Late summer brings a shift in the garden. Some perennials begin to fade, but many late-blooming shrubs and perennials are just getting started. Here’s how to keep your landscape thriving through the month and into fall.

Annuals & Containers

Deadhead and lightly prune to keep annuals looking fresh.
Add a diluted liquid fertilizer when watering to encourage continued blooms.

Trees, Shrubs & Perennials

Fertilize trees and shrubs through the end of August. This helps strengthen them before dormancy.
Avoid fertilizing beyond August to prevent tender new growth before frost.

Garden Maintenance

Cut back spent perennials; some may reward you with a second flush of blooms.
Deadhead flowering perennials to prolong their show.
Stake any top-heavy or rain-weary plants.

Vegetable Gardens

Harvest warm-weather crops regularly to encourage more production and prevent them from going to seed.
Now’s the time to sow cool-season crops: lettuce, spinach, arugula, carrots, beets, beans, kale, and peas for fall harvest.

Weeding

Stay vigilant, crabgrass and blackberry thrive in summer heat and can spread quickly.

Enjoy the buzz of late-summer pollinators darting from bloom to bloom, it’s one of the season’s sweetest rewards!

native summer blooming shrubs

A PASSION

FOR PLANTS

Next time you are at Vineyard Gardens take a meditative walk along the display garden and you will notice something new, fresh and exciting each time.

July’s Display Bed

Take a virtual walk to learn about Vineyard Gardens’ July display bed.

Brightening the Shady Garden with Summer Perennials

DEER RESISTANT PERENNIALS FOR SHADE

PERENNIALS GROUNDCOVERS FOR SHADE

Our Go-To Shade Favorites

JULY

GARDEN TIPS

Watering: Efficiency is Key

What to Prune and When

Weeds & Mulch

Vegetable Gardens

Container Plants

Biennials: Next Year's Blooms

Season Extenders

ASTILBE

Bring Vibrant Texture and Color to Your Shade Garden

GROWING ASTILBE

ASTIBLE ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES!

COMPANION PLANTING

CARE

Astilbe Varieties

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

HOW

ANNUALS COLONIZE

THE GARDEN

THE MAGIC OF RESEEDING

Tips for

Reseeding Success

TRY THESE!

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

Integrating Annuals into Your Garden Design

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Hanging Baskets

PEONIES

The Queen of the Spring Garden

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

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PAEONIA LACTIFLORA (HERBACEOUS)

Paeonia lactiflora we’d like to highlight:

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PAEONIA X SUFFRUTICOSA (TREE PEONY)

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

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ITOH PEONIES

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The Cut Flower Standard

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!

AUGUST

GARDEN TIPS

Annuals & Containers

Trees, Shrubs & Perennials

Garden Maintenance

Vegetable Gardens

Weeding

Enjoy the buzz of late-summer pollinators darting from bloom to bloom, it’s one of the season’s sweetest rewards!