ORNAMENTAL GRASSES FOR FALL COLOR

September 7, 2022 Karen Logan

GRASSES FOR FALL COLOR

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Ornamental Grasses have been very popular for decades. They serve many purposes from adding backdrops, texture or a natural feeling to a landscape and are often used in restoration projects. Most of them fare best in full hot sun, are drought tolerant and do not need rich soil. Typically, there is no maintenance once established.

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES WE CARRY:

For years we have carried many cultivars of miscanthus, panicum & Pennisetum

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MISCANTHUS

Miscanthus sinensis (Maiden Grass): Miscanthus sinensis is the genus and species. Cosmopolitan, Morning light, Gracillimus, Adagio and Purpurescens are all cultivars of Miscanthus sinensis. We have a wonderful selection of Miscanthus. It is a low maintenance, deer resistant, ornamental grass commonly planted in groups along a border, for privacy screening, along edges of beds and are excellent for container planting. It has silvery-green foliage that turns golden-bronze in autumn and has spectacular plumes in late summer. The plumes on the Miscanthus dry beautifully for winter bouquets or effect in the late fall, early winter landscape. Late winter, with snow and rain pounding, it starts to fall apart. Maiden Grass thrives in full sun and may get 6 feet wide with a 10 foot spread.
- Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' : Dense clusters of slender, green and white blades. Reddish tint on blades throughout winter. Great texture for beds and borders.
- Miscanthus sinensis 'Cosmopolitan' : Wide green and white strap like leaves with showy feathery plumes. In bloom, Cosmopolitan can get 8-10ft tall when it’s happy. It is upright and the foliage may appear a little pendulous when it’s in bloom because the plumes are so straight and tall. Full sun to light shade. Highly salt tolerant and prefers moist to well drained soils.
- Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus' : Beautiful, wide cream and green striped foliage. Grows to 5ft by mid-September with red-tinted blooms. Best in full sun. Great as a screen, backdrop or border plant.
- Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’: Upright structure with all green, narrow, finer foliage. When in bloom reaches 6 -8ft tall.
- Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’: A dwarf maiden grass that reaches 3 - 4ft tall.
- Miscanthus sinensis ‘Purpurescens’: Turns flaming red in late fall and is really the only one to have good fall color.

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PANICUM

Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass): Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. A clump-forming, warm season grass which typically grows 3' -6' tall. Bright green leaves occur up and down the stem, turning bright yellow in fall. Flowers in mid-summer with finely-textured, pink-tinged, branched panicles. The seed plumes stay through winter and are a good food source for birds.
- Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine' (Switchgrass)
  One of the tallest varieties. Large rose colored seed panicles envelop the upright bluish foliage. Seed panicles turn golden shades in fall. Ideal wildlife habitat providing shelter and food for songbirds.
- Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' (Red Switchgrass)
  Upright foliage becomes red tinted during the growing season, culminating in a dazzling red-leaved show in fall. Drought tolerant and easy to maintain.
- Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' (Blue Switchgrass)
  Upright habit with metallic blue foliage. Pink-tinted, airy blooms appear in July, highlighting the color of its blue leaves. Great planted in masses.

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PENNISETUM

Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain Grass): A beautiful addition to your garden with its cascading foliage and nonstop drama. Pennisetum has finely textured foliage and an elegant form. Flowers in late summer, with showy white, pink, copper or black, bottle brush shaped spikes. In autumn the leaves turn orange-bronze. The leaves and flower spikes sway in the breeze adding movement to the landscape. The plumes make fabulous cut flowers. Fountain grass is easily grown in most soils and does best in full sun.
- Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
  Features deep green leaves in summer changing to golden yellow in fall and fading to beige in late fall. Showy, silvery to pinkish-white, bristly, bottle brush-like flower spikes arch outward from the clump in late summer. Form 2-3' tall and wide compact clumps .
- Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry'
  Black fountain grass. 'Moudry' provides excellent texture, color and contrast to borders, foundations and open areas. It is most noted for its distinctive black flower spikes. Grows 2-3' tall and wide. The plumes are great cut flowers.

Pennisetum Moudry: Black fountain grass blooms in late summer.

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We ALSO carry a variety of cultivars and species in addition to our long standing grasses:

Calamagrostis acutiflora (Feather Reed Grass): For years we only carried Karl Foerster, now we carry a variety of Feather Reed Grasses
- Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
- 'Overdam' Feather Reed Grass
- Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean Feather Reed Grass): Another very beautiful species of Feather Reed Grass
Phalaris arundinacea (Ribbon grass)
- We especially like the cultivar Strawberries and Cream for its pink tones on the foliage.
Carex: This is actually a sedge and not a grass but grasses, sedges and rushes have always been grouped together and we will continue this tradition. We carry several cultivars of Carex.
- Carex ‘Ice Dance” (Japanese Sedge): Chuck’s favorite
- Carex plantaginea: Andrew loves this cultivar
- Carex comans ‘Bronze’: Chris loves this cultivar with its reddish hues in fall.
- Carex buchananii 'Red Rooster': Chris also loves Red Rooster which is tall and upright.
Chasmanthium latifolius (Northern Sea Oats): Has the prettiest seed pod.
Hackonechloa grasses: They will take some shade and appear weeping with their pendulous habit.
- Hackonechloa macra (Hakone Grass): Green tones
- Hackonechloa macra ‘All Gold’: Yellow tones
- Hackonechloa macra ‘Aureola’: Variegated.
Schitzachyrium scoparium (Little Blue Stem Grass): Honored with the perennial plant of the year award for 2022. ‘The Blues’ is a popular old cultivar and there are many new cultivars. All of them remain true to Little Bluestem’s legacy of drought tolerance, low maintenance and natural beauty. We see Little Bluestem as one of the hottest grasses in the trade. It brings high ecological value and a fresh look to modern landscapes. Many years ago Schitzachyrium was grouped together with Andropogon. It was determined to be different enough to make it its own genus.
- Schitzachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’
- Schitzachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’
- Schitzachyrium scoparium ‘Blue Heaven’
Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem): We carry several Andropogon.
- Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’: A dark foliage cultivar called Blackhawks is a favorite.
Sporobolis heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed): A native grass often used in restoration projects.
Sesleria autumnalis (Autumn Moor Grass): Sesleria is a European native often used in America as a ground cover. Sesleria autumnalis received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.
Festuca glauca and Helictotrichon sempervirens: We carry these grasses for their glaucous foliage. They are great along the border or in containers and like all grasses are low maintenance and drought tolerant once established.
Ophiopogons
- Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (Black Mondo) A black grass
- Ophiopogon japonicus (Dwarf Mondo Grass) A dwarf version
Bouteloua gracilis: Our newest grass. A prairie native with unusual seed heads.

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Carex Red Rooster in ornamental planters

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We also carry a few ornamental grasses that will not overwinter In our zone 7 island.

Muhlenbergia capillaris touts to be Hardy to zone 5 but it will not overwinter for us. The pink plumes in the late afternoon are the prettiest thing you’ll ever see. We keep on trying it because it should be hardy!
Pennisetum Rubrum & Pennisetum Fireworks: Both have wonderful foliage color and are fabulous as ‘thrillers’ in pots.
Pennisetum Purple Majesty & Pennisetum Prince: We highlight these in the fall because they have a great fall effect with dark foliage and large plumes. However, they will not survive the island winters.

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perennial plant of the year

**Schitzachyrium scoparium**

[PLANT PROFILE] CRAPE MYRTLE

September 6, 2022 Karen Logan

Lagerstroemia

[CRAPE MYRTLE]

An all-season performer that shows off colorful foliage in fall, attractive exfoliating bark in winter and showy flowers in the summer! Crape Myrtle bloom from July to September, with some varieties blooming until first frost. Flowers have a crepe like texture and range in color from red, purple, pink, orchid and white. There are several varieties that range in size from 2-foot shrubby dwarfs to large trees.

Crape Myrtles’ showy flowers adds a punch of color in late summer & early fall.

Crape Myrtle (front), Rudbeckia & Hibiscus

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HISTORY

Better known by their common name of Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia is a genus of about 50 plants native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The Genus is named after the director of the Swedish East India Company, Magnus van Lagerstrom, who supplied Carl Linnaeus with plants he collected.

Only 2 species are primarily used in gardening and landscape horticulture. The Lagerstroemia indica from China and Korea was introduced to Charleston, North Carolina in 1790 by French botanist Andre Michaux. In the wild it is a large multi stemmed shrub but 200 years of cultivation have resulted in a huge number of cultivars with varying characteristics.

Another species from Japan Lagerstroemia fauriei is becoming increasingly important as a landscape plant and as a parent in hybrids with L. Indica. This species is more resistant to fungal diseases, has highly ornamental bark and is more cold hardy than L. Indica making it valuable as genetic material for hybridization.

FALL IS A GREAT TIME TO PLANT. allowS CRAPE MYRTLE time to establish their roots before going dormant in winter.

CARE

Prefer full sun. The more sun the more blooms!
Once established, Crape Myrtles are quite drought tolerant.
They need good drainage.
A common mistake is over-pruning.
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USES
Crape myrtles make great additions to any size garden. Some ideas for how to use them:
Plant multiple dwarf or medium-size varieties together to form a hedge.
Use dwarf varieties as colorful additions in borders and beds.
Dwarf varieties make excellent choices for large containers.
A good choice near walkways and driveways.
Use larger varieties as an individual accent

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we have dwarf varieties available to add to your garden if you don’t have space for a larger speciman.

Crape Myrtle ‘Like a Latte’ [photo: walters gardens]

CRAPE MYRTLE VARIETIES WE HAVE AVAILABLE

Lagerstroemia 'Like A Latte' (Dwarf)

Lagerstroemia 'Barista Cherry Mocha' (Dwarf)

Lagerstroemia 'Tuscarora'

Lagerstroemia 'Tonto'

Lagerstroemia 'Muskogee'

Lagerstroemia 'Muskogee Lavender'

Lagerstroemia 'Natchez White'

Lagerstroemia 'Cherry Mocha' [photo: walters garden]

Crape Myrtle ‘Tuscarora’ [photo: monrovia]

Crape Myrtle ‘Muskogee’ [photo credit: monrovia]

[PLANT PROFILE] ANEMONE

September 1, 2022 Karen Logan

*Anemone [illustration by karen blackerby logan]*

JAPANESE ANEMONE

[WINDFLOWER]

A common name for Anemone is windflower because the delicate poppy-like flowers sway in the breeze. The Greek word anemos translates as "wind."

Japanese Anemones add a wonderful splash of color to the autumn garden when other perennials are beginning to fade. With one of the longest bloom times, they are a great season extender in a perennial garden. They spread when they are happy and can tolerate moist soils!

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CARE

Japanese Anemones are fabulous perennials that thrive ideally in a little afternoon shade. They can tolerate full sun as long as the soil is moist.
They prefer rich, moist soil. Water the plants regularly when it does not rain.
Bloom time: Mid-Summer to Late Fall 6-8 weeks

USES

Borders, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, naturalized areas such as meadows

White anemomes stand out nicely at night. White gardens are sometimes called moonlight gardens .where the white flowers light up at night.

Japanese Anemone and Impatiens balfourii [photo by keith kurman] *Anemones contain basal leaf clumps from which long flower stems grow to support delicate flowers.*

Japanese anemone bloom abundantly from mid-summer to late fall, giving gardeners a shade-loving alternative to the autumn mums and asters.

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JAPANESE ANEMONES WE CARRY AT VINEYARD GARDENS

Japanese Anemones are mostly hybrids. Some are taller than others, up to 3 feet. The more popular ones are single flowers but we often carry a pink double called Pamina. Next year we are ordering a white double called Whirlwind.

Wild Swan: White with a bluish tinge behind the petals
Honorine Jobert: White single flowers
September Charm: Pink single flowers
Robustissima: Pink single flowers
Bressingham Glow: Pink flowers
Pamina: Pink double flowers

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Japanese Anemone in their full glory and the bees taking it all in!

[PLANT PROFILE] CLERODENDRUM

August 1, 2022 Karen Logan

CLERODENDRUM TRICHOTOMUM

[HARLEQUIN GLORY-BOWER]

In mid-summer and fall Clerodendrum adds a striking show when other woody plants are not in bloom!

MID-SUMMER BLOOM

Clerodendrum trichotomum (Harlequin Glory-Bower) is the only Clerodendrum hardy this far north. A deer resistant, flowering, deciduous shrub that begins blooming mid-summer with fragrant soft white flowers. The flowers have a sweet delicate aroma and are large enough to make a statement. A great addition to a late season garden when many other shrubs are not in bloom.

FALL INTEREST

In the fall, Clerodendrum has a wonderful effect. The flowers turn into a very interesting seed pod, bright purplish-blue berries adorned by thick star-shaped red calyces. In addition, the foliage changes into a beautiful yellow fall color. A show stopper indeed!

Clerodendrum has large heart shaped leaves which produce a peanut odor when crushed.

attracts Hummingbirds, butterflies, honeybees & other pollinators!

WHERE TO PLANT

Clerodendrum is a large shrub that grows between 8-10’ tall.
Stands best alone because it takes over. Plant it where it has plenty of room to spread and colonize. It will spread as far as you let it but it can be controlled.
Full sun to part shade. Clerodendrum prefers full sun for best shape and flowering but can tolerate and flower in partial shade. In partial shade, it’s already loose habit will be even more open.

“Our Clerodendrum is blooming now and fills our entire patio with a sweet fragrance!” Chris Wiley, co-owner Vineyard Gardens

Clerodendrum trichotomum in the spring/early summer

FERTILIZING HYDRANGEAS

July 7, 2022 Karen Logan

Hydrangea [illustration by karen blackerby logan]

FERTILIZING HYDRANGEAS IN EARLY SUMMER

by Lorraine Ballato

July 5, 2022 / Fertilizing Hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf), Hydrangea serrata (Mountain)

I have spent the past 2 days fertilizing my hydrangeas. Which ones, you ask. Well, read on about Fertilizing Hydrangeas In Early Summer.

My experience is that all hydrangeas grow better when they are fertilized, even the native ones. It’s one of the lessons I learned from our Covid lockdown. I actually had the time to do this and, WOW! did it pay off.

WHY FEED YOUR PLANTS IN EARLY SUMMER

If you missed feeding your plants early in the season when you did your spring clean up, you can make up for that now. BTW, “now” in the northern hemisphere means before August 1. That’s because fertilizing will stimulate your plant and you don’t want to do that too late in the season.

The plants that respond best to fertilizer this time of year are the rebloomers: big leaf (macrophylla), mountain (serrata) and woodland/smooth (arborescens) varieties. You want to help them produce those reblooming flowers to carry your garden through to the end of the season.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE A REBLOOMER

If you don’t know if your mountain or big leaf hydrangea is a rebloomer, look to see where the flowers are positioned. If they are coming from along the sides of the stems, you have rebloomer. It’s that simple.

**Reblooming hydrangea flowers along length of the stem**

FEEDING YOUR PLANTS

There are differing opinions on fertilizing your hydrangeas. I am firmly in the camp of helping hydrangeas thrive and have learned it is especially beneficial if your soil needs improvement. A soil test will help you figure that out. The results of fertilizing are more than encouraging and I am convinced this is a worthwhile practice.

THE REASONS TO FERTILIZE HYDRANGEAS IN EARLY SUMMER

Remember that on rebloomers, the more you cut the tips, the more flowers you will get along the stem for later season color. So your rebloomers will appreciate the extra nutrients to continue to put out new flowers. Deadheading and/or cutting flowers for bouquets also stimulate the plant to grow new stems for future flowers. So don’t be reluctant to do that and add beauty to your indoor spaces (office, kitchen, etc.).

Even if your plant is not a rebloomer, the mid-season fertilizer will help it set buds for next year later this season. It’s not rocket science.

FEEDING OTHER KINDS OF HYDRANGEAS

Feeding your other hydrangeas, although helpful, isn’t necessary. The old wood bloomers are all pretty self sufficient, unless you have an issue that needs to be remedied. Or you missed feeding them earlier this season.

**Panicle hydrangea used as companion plant for a stand of woodland hydrangeas**

THE BEST FERTILIZER FOR HYDRANGEAS

Rose food is ideal as is any granulated shrub fertilizer, either organic or a time release product. I don’t recommend products like 10-10-10. No plant uses nutrients in equal amounts so when you use 10-10-10, what you are doing is contributing to run-off and local pollution issues.

**Rose-tone Fertilizer Is very good for hydrangeas**

WATCH OUT FOR TICKS

Fertilizing hydrangeas forces you to get down at the ground level, sometimes crawling beneath your plant. That action may disturb ticks that then light on you. Whenever I do this early summer fertilizing, I always pick up several ticks. So do be aware and do a tick check regularly, especially after fertilizing.

PINCH PRUNING COMES NEXT

I’ll be back in a few days to discuss mid-season pinch-pruning, maybe topping your plant, and using those cuttings to propagate new plants. The fun is just beginning!

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Check out hydrangea specialist, Lorraine Ballato’s insightful website packed with excellent information on all things hydrangea!

SUCCESS WITH HYDRANGEAS

book by lorraine ballato

HYDRANGEA LOVERS

facts about hydrangeas

[PLANT PROFILE] HEUCHERA

June 30, 2022 Karen Logan

HEUCHERA

(CORAL BELLS)

Foliage Stars of the Shade Garden

When it comes to perennials that combine long-lasting beauty, versatility, and ecological benefits, few plants rival Heuchera, commonly known as Coral Bells. These North American natives are prized for their dazzling foliage and delicate blooms, making them a favorite in shade gardens, woodland edges, and even containers.

Not Just Pretty Leaves

While many gardeners love Heucheras for their richly colored leaves, from lime green to burgundy and even dark purple, their graceful flowers are not to be overlooked. Each summer, tall flower stalks rise above the foliage, blooming for 3-4 weeks with airy, bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. The flowers of Heuchera sanguinea give the plant its common name, Coral Bells, with vivid cerise blooms native to warm, dry canyons in Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico.

A Foliage Powerhouse

Heucheras are truly standout foliage plants. Their rosettes of textured leaves stick around from early spring through late fall, and some cultivars are even semi-evergreen in mild climates. With a low, mounding habit, most varieties reach 8–12 inches in height and 1–2 feet in spread, while the flower spikes add height, 1-3 feet, during bloom.

There has been an explosion of Heucheras cultivars in the last decade. Hybridization is common, due to the fact that the species often intergrade with one another. The increasingly popular Heucherellas (Heuchera × Tiarella) combine the best traits of both parent plants.

Try planting ground covers instead of mulching. They are just as effective, if not more so, at keeping out the weeds!

Heuchera americana ‘Dales Strain’, the one we do from seed.

Where & How to Plant

Light:

Most Heucheras thrive in partial shade or dappled sunlight, but many red and yellow-leafed varieties tolerate more sun.
In the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, shade is usually best for optimal performance.

Soil & Water:

Plant in well-drained, compost-rich soil. Keep consistently moist, especially in containers.
Heucheras are ideal for woodland gardens, rock gardens, slopes, and as ground covers beneath trees and shrubs.

Heucheras are DEER REISISTANT!

Design Pairings & Garden Uses

Heucheras are beautiful alone but shine even more when paired with other foliage-rich or shade-loving perennials:

Great companions: Ferns, caladiums, hostas, bleeding hearts, iris, astilbe
Ideal uses: Mass plantings, underplanting for trees and shrubs, borders, container gardens, and ground cover alternatives to mulch
Tip: Consider replacing traditional mulch with ground covers like Heuchera. Not only are they effective at suppressing weeds, they add beauty and habitat too.

Our Favorites

Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’: A native cultivar with large green leaves and tall white blooms. Especially striking when planted in mass and blends beautifully with other plants.
Heuchera americana ‘Dale’s Strain’: One of several we grow from seed. It’s a reliable, low-maintenance ground cover under shrubs.

There are 37 species of Heuchera and dozens of cultivars now available, the diversity of Heucheras is greater than ever. Their ability to hybridize easily has led to a stunning array of colors and leaf textures, so whether you're designing a native garden or adding structure to your shaded beds, Coral Bells deliver beauty that lasts well beyond their bloom.

Looking to add more color and habitat to your garden? Visit our nursery to explore our vast array of Heuchera and discover the perfect variety for your landscape.

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.

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EAT LOCAL, GROW IT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

March 20, 2022 Karen Logan

Strawberry illustration by karen blackerby logan

GROWING EARLY SPRING EDIBLES

STRAWBERRIES

TIPS FOR PLANTING STRAWBERRIES

The most economical way for planting strawberries is bare root. They are only available early and must be planted in the ground right away.
Prepare your strawberry garden area by tilling or turning over the soil.
Add organic matter, such as cow manure, compost or the Fafard Complete Planting Mix.
Turn that into the soil.
Plant out the strawberry plants. Straight rows would be typical but you can be creative and turn it into an herb garden with a strawberry patch.

This year we are carrying 4 cultivars of strawberries
We like the June bearing over the Everbearing. The June bearing have bigger berries, although a shorter season.
Honeoye is our favorite, but all of them are good.
Fort Laramie
All Star
Quinalt
We also grow the fraise de bois or wild strawberries, find them under Fragaria vesca, its proper Genus and species name.
These are my choice for an herb garden. They also do well in containers. They bloom with beautiful little white flowers (in the rose family) .The pot with multiple openings is called a strawberry jar. I love when we carry these!
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BERRIES

We have a great selection of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries. The early spring selection is best!

All these should be planted very soon!

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ASPARAGUS

Now available bare root in bundles of 10. We have Jersey Knight and Purple Passion.

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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

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Vineyard Gardens Herb House and Herb Garden

HERBS

NOW IS THE TIME TO PLANT SOME HERBS! COME CHECK OUT OUR HERB HOUSE & HERB GARDEN!

ANNUAL HERBS: Cilantro, Parsley, Dill, Chervil, Lemon Grass, Lemon Verbena and Rosemary
PERENNIAL HERBS: Thyme. Sage, Mint, Tarragon, Savory and Lemon Balm

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

WHY TO TEST SOIL & THE IMPORTANCE OF A PH TEST

May 4, 2021 Karen Logan

“It is always a good idea to test the soil for your lawns, flowers, vegetable gardens and almost anything you’re trying to grow!” Chuck Wiley, co-owner of Vineyard Gardens

Soil samples can be sent to the University of Massachusetts. The test will tell you what is in your soil, the amount and then what to add. This can save you money and most importantly protect our environment by not overusing fertilizer.

Fertilizer bags have three numbers showing the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the bag. A bag labeled 5-10-5 is 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 5% potassium.

Nitrogen is the element usually most needed to be added for plant health, as it is either used up by plants or can be leached out of the soil with rain and irrigation.
Phosphorous and potassium once added are more stable in the soil and usually only need to be added every two or three years.

These three nutrients are in most of the garden and lawn fertilizers we sell. We sell several lawn fertilizers with a 0 middle number, meaning no phosphorus, because that nutrient can cause problems with our ponds by encouraging algae blooms.

Step 1: Lawn Fertilizer 20-0-3 (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium).

Step 2: Lawn Fertilizer 21-0-3 (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium).

Vegetable Fertilizer 3-4-4 (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium)

Organic fertilizers are slow release and also add some organic matter to the soil. Lawn fertilizers, like Jonathan Green Green-up 20-0-3, often have a higher first number as nitrogen is what causes them to be darker green, faster growing and healthier. Most vegetables like a lower first number Espoma Organic Garden-tone 3-4-4 to encourage fruiting like tomatoes and squash.

Now is the last chance this season to apply Jonathan Green Green-Up Crabgrass Preventer before moving onto step 2 Jonathan Green Green-Up Weed and Feed**!

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THE IMPORTANCE OF A pH TEST

A pH test tells us how acidic or alkaline our soils are

Numbers under 7 are acidic
Numbers over 7 are basic or alkaline

When soils are at or near neutral most nutrients are more easily taken up by plants and at the high range of acid or basic some nutrients are unavailable to plants even if they are in the soil. Our soils tend to be acidic which is good for blueberries, most evergreens , potatoes and Blue Mop head Hydrangeas, which are our traditional August flowering hydrangeas and Nikko Blue and Endless summer being the most popular. The reason for wanting low pH for the hydrangeas is this causes the flowers to be bluer. High pH turns them pinker and neutral pH gives them a color between the two. This is the only plant I know that the flower color is affected by the pH which allows aluminum in the soil to be more readily taken up at lower ph.

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If you want bluer flowers add sulfur or aluminum sulfate, ideally mixed into the soil when planting. You can add these materials to existing plants but it will take longer for them to have an effect on the color. If you want pink flowers, add lime to the soil. Most vegetables like a neutral soil, with the exception of potatoes which are more prone to a particular disease at higher pH. I like to keep a special area in the garden for them that I don't lime. Lawns like the pH to be close to neutral so light yearly liming is recommend here.

color block-gray-narrow.jpg — fertilizing hydrangeas

GRASSES FOR FALL COLOR

30% OFF

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES WE CARRY:

For years we have carried many cultivars of miscanthus, panicum & Pennisetum

MISCANTHUS

PANICUM

PENNISETUM

We ALSO carry a variety of cultivars and species in addition to our long standing grasses:

We also carry a few ornamental grasses that will not overwinter In our zone 7 island.

Lagerstroemia

[CRAPE MYRTLE]

Crape Myrtles’ showy flowers adds a punch of color in late summer & early fall.

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HISTORY

FALL IS A GREAT TIME TO PLANT. allowS CRAPE MYRTLE time to establish their roots before going dormant in winter.

CARE

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USES

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we have dwarf varieties available to add to your garden if you don’t have space for a larger speciman.

CRAPE MYRTLE VARIETIES WE HAVE AVAILABLE

JAPANESE ANEMONE

[WINDFLOWER]

Japanese Anemones add a wonderful splash of color to the autumn garden when other perennials are beginning to fade. With one of the longest bloom times, they are a great season extender in a perennial garden. They spread when they are happy and can tolerate moist soils!

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CARE

USES

Japanese anemone bloom abundantly from mid-summer to late fall, giving gardeners a shade-loving alternative to the autumn mums and asters.

JAPANESE ANEMONES WE CARRY AT VINEYARD GARDENS

CLERODENDRUM TRICHOTOMUM

[HARLEQUIN GLORY-BOWER]

MID-SUMMER BLOOM

FALL INTEREST

attracts Hummingbirds, butterflies, honeybees & other pollinators!

WHERE TO PLANT

“Our Clerodendrum is blooming now and fills our entire patio with a sweet fragrance!” Chris Wiley, co-owner Vineyard Gardens

WHY FEED YOUR PLANTS IN EARLY SUMMER

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE A REBLOOMER

FEEDING YOUR PLANTS

THE REASONS TO FERTILIZE HYDRANGEAS IN EARLY SUMMER

FEEDING OTHER KINDS OF HYDRANGEAS

THE BEST FERTILIZER FOR HYDRANGEAS

WATCH OUT FOR TICKS

PINCH PRUNING COMES NEXT

Check out hydrangea specialist, Lorraine Ballato’s insightful website packed with excellent information on all things hydrangea!

HEUCHERA

(CORAL BELLS)

Foliage Stars of the Shade Garden

Not Just Pretty Leaves

A Foliage Powerhouse

Try planting ground covers instead of mulching. They are just as effective, if not more so, at keeping out the weeds!

Where & How to Plant

Heucheras are DEER REISISTANT!

Design Pairings & Garden Uses

Our Favorites

SMALL FRUITS & FRUIT TREES

IN STOCK AT VINEYARD GARDENS:

STRAWBERRIES

BLUEBERRIES

Blueberries must be planted in early spring!!

GRAPES, PEACHES & FRUIT TREES

GROWING EARLY SPRING EDIBLES

STRAWBERRIES

This year we are carrying 4 cultivars of strawberries

BERRIES

All these should be planted very soon!

ASPARAGUS

GREENS & COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

Grow your own Greens

COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

HERBS

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

“It is always a good idea to test the soil for your lawns, flowers, vegetable gardens and almost anything you’re trying to grow!” Chuck Wiley, co-owner of Vineyard Gardens

** Now is the last chance this season to apply Jonathan Green Green-Up Crabgrass Preventer before moving onto step 2 Jonathan Green Green-Up Weed and Feed!

THE IMPORTANCE OF A pH TEST

A pH test tells us how acidic or alkaline our soils are

Now is the last chance this season to apply Jonathan Green Green-Up Crabgrass Preventer before moving onto step 2 Jonathan Green Green-Up Weed and Feed**!