NURSERY

WHAT'S BLOOMING AROUND THE ISLAND

GREAT PLANTS AVAILABLE AT VINEYARD GARDENS

COOL WEATHER ANNUALS

Cool weather annuals are ready to be planted now! It is a little early for many annuals but not too early for our cool weather ones. It is also a great time to plant perennials, trees and shrubs. Here is a list of cool weather annuals that should be planted now.

DAHLIAS: Colorful flowers which generally bloom from midsummer to first frost. Dahlias come in a rainbow of colors and range in size from 2 to 10-inch blooms. Some varieties grow 4 to 5 feet tall. Best in full sun. We carry a variety of Dahlias. We grow Redskin, Bishops Children and Collarette mix from seed.

CALENDULAS: Old fashioned edible and medicinal flowers. Calendulas thrive in full sun or part shade and will bloom all summer.

• Bon Bon Mix - short cultivar for containers or front of the border
• The Neon is orange with burgundy tips. We are growing two tall varieties, Neon and Pacific Beauty Apricot. Known for being great cut flowers.

 ARCTOTIS GRANDIS: A stunning steely blue-eyed Daisy. These tall varieties make great cut flowers.

ESCHOLTZIA (CALIFORNIA POPPY ): Ready to plant now! Available in packs. Varieties available: Orange, White linen, Mikado and Thai Silk Rose Bush.

SWEET PEAS:  Plant in full sun to partial shade

SNAPDRAGONS:  Snapdragons have tall spikes of brightly colored flowers that bloom profusely in cooler weather.They will bloom most abundantly in full sun to partial shade in the spring.  Planting them in partial shade and keeping them well watered will help them make it through the summer, to begin blooming again in fall. 

• Red Knight Series - We grow the Red Knight series from seed. It has deep maroon flowers on maroon foliage. 
• Butterfly series - Reintroduced this year, the Butterfly series has double flowers. 
• Montego series - Dwarf Snapdragons
• Rocket series - Tall Snapdragons
• Liberty series - Intermediate height in many colors. 

LINARIA NORTHERN LIGHTS: Part of the Snapdragon family. Along with the annual Linaria, we also seeded the perennial Linaria Cannon J Went. 

LOBELIAS: . This summertime bloomer will continue to produce flowers up through the first frost. We grow the seed grown varieties and sell these in packs.

• The new Proven Winner cultivars, Techno Heat Series and the Magadis, have given us great results the last few years.
• Crystal palace
• Riviera Sky Blue
• Fountain white
• Sapphire trailing blue
• Blue Wings, a new variety

SALVIAS: Salvias come in a variety of colors. Planted in full sun. The annual Salvias are cool weather lovers. This year Vineyard Gardens is growing for you:

• Clary Sages, Blue Monday and Pink Sunday are the most popular.
• Salvia farinácea Blue bedder -  Tall blue
• Salvia coccineas in white, pink and red.
• The Guaranitica Black and Blue.
• Salvia Patens - We are growiing 3 different cultivars, Blue Angel, Patio Rose and Patio Sky Blue. The Patios are dwarf cultivars of Salvia patens.
• Salvia Wendy's Wish Again - Hot pink flowers.

CENTAUREA CYANUS (BACHELOR BUTTONS): Traditionally blue flowers, they now come in shades of red, white and pink. They grow well in full sun. These tall varieties make great cut flowers and will colonize by reseeding.

• Tall Blue Boy
• Pink
• Black Gem
• Jubilee Gem -  Dwarf variety

cool weather annual bulbs and flowers are available today!

Gladiolus:  These stately flowers are found in floral displays at celebrations and remain a favorite in country gardens. Recently they've gained the consideration of "old fashioned" as early American women often planted these flowers at the back of their gardens to create a colorful backdrop. Commonly planted along fences or the foundation of a home, to give tall spires support when growing.

Fast Facts:
Hardiness Zone: 8-10
Exposure: Full Sun
Preferred Soil: Moist and Well Drained

When to Plant Gladiolus:
Gladiolus should only be planted after the danger of frost has passed, and placed in the ground or containers 4 - 6" deep and about 3 - 6" apart. To prevent them from falling over, plant them a couple inches deeper for more support. Gladiolus prefer well-draining soil and full sun. It is best to stake them in the garden to add support for taller varieties. Like all bulbs, let the green brown out through summer to help the plant store energy to flower the following season. Corms should be lifted from the ground in zones 7 and below, as they are not winter hardy. Our favorite tip is plant them in 2 week intervals. This provides an endless supply of cut flowers for summer bouquets to give as gifts or enjoy indoors.

Fun Facts:
The August birth flower, the Gladiolus, gains its name from the Latin word for sword. Often referred to as the flower of the gladiators, legend claims the ancient warriors wore the corms around their necks to help them during battle. The winner was showered with the flowers in the arena. This history, alongside of the grass like foliage that grows sword-like helped shape the name long before they became a gardening staple. Creating a long spire of blooms, these flowers come in a wide spectrum of colors from bold reds and oranges to pastel blues, pinks, and yellows. The flower is often viewed as symbol for the strength of character, faithfulness, sincerity and integrity, but most importantly as a reminder to not give up. The flower spire is said to pierce the heart of its recipient with love, which often leads to an association with infatuation.    

CALLA LILIES

Calla Lilies:  These easy to grow bulbs will be a beautiful addition to any gardens summer blooms. They are also great as container plants and cut flowers.

Fast Facts:
Latin Name: Zantedeschia
Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Exposure: Full Sun

 

Why Grow Callas:
Most commonly white, callas Dutch hybridizers have created a wide spectrum of color. Popular at weddings and funerals, these lilies often appear in floral bouquets, as they hold up well as cut flowers. Callas thrive in acidic, moist soils, and require full sun, though direct sunlight can burn leaves. Perfect for containers, borders, and small gardens, callas need to be planted after any danger of frost. Winter hardy in zones 8-11, these plants do need to be lifted before winter in colder zones. Tuck calla lilies 3"-4" in containers or garden spots with well-draining soil. Callas do need cooler summer temps, so if placing in containers, use other taller plants to offer shade. Callas enjoy watering, but too much water can lead to bulb rot, so amend soil for proper draining if needed.

Fun Facts:
Named after the Greek word for beautiful, the calla lily plays an important role in Greek Mythology. Legend claims that Zeus brought Hercules to feed from Hera while she slept. Hera awoke from her slumber and pushed the child away spilling the milk. Some spilled across the galaxy and formed the Milky Way; the rest fell to the earth grew into the calla lily. Venus, the goddess of love, beauty, and desire grew jealous of the flower's beauty. She cursed it by placing a large yellow pistil in the center of the flower to mar the beauty. Many associate the flower with love and lust as a result, but the common meaning represents purity, holiness, and faith. A predominant image in Christian iconography, callas often rests at the feet of the Virgin Mother in paintings. Their resemblance to a trumpet, a Christian symbol of triumph, often point to their association in many classical paintings.

**Gladiolus and Calla Lily information and images from Netherland Bulb Company

FOXGLOVES

SEEDS ARE IN and SEEDLINGS ARE READY!  

We carry  Botanical Interest Seeds and the new Fedco Seed packets. We also have all the supplies to start your own seeds, including seed starting soil mixes, jiffy pots and legume inoculant for your peas. You can get a head start today by planting  seeds indoors and when the weather warms up it will be time to sow your seedlings outdoors.  Here at Vineyard Gardens  we have been busy in the greenhouse planting the cool weather vegetable seeds and  even sow our tomatoes.

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 times until they germinate.

VINEYARD GARDENS NURSERY SEED AND TOOL SELECTIONS

GET YOUR HANDS MUDDY AND HAVE FUN!

Vineyard Gardens Nursery is a botanical paradise situated on five acres of land with ten greenhouses, plus a 5 acre growing location with four greenhouses. We offer an array of fine plants and a full range of soils, soil amendments, fertilizers and bulk and bagged materials to meet all your gardening needs. We select and grow the very best roses, grasses, perennials, herbs, vegetables and a rainbow of flowering annuals for summer color. We specialize in landscape size trees, shrubs and ornamental plants that are hardy in the Vineyard’s USDA climate zones. Throughout the year there are many opportunities to experience the nursery, including garden talks, seasonal events and gallery nights.  Vineyard Gardens would love to assist you in creating  your very own "vineyard garden".