Plant
Combinations.
Curated groupings of plants that thrive together in Martha's Vineyard's conditions - designed for visual impact, seasonal interest, and low maintenance.
Plants That Work Together.
A well-chosen plant combination does more than just look good - it creates ecological relationships that make each plant more resilient. The right partners share root zones, attract the same pollinators, and extend each other's seasonal interest.
Every combination here has been designed and tested for Martha's Vineyard's specific conditions: salt air, sandy soils, deer pressure, and the distinct palette of light and moisture found across the island's six towns.
4
Habitat\nConditions
5
Filter\nTypes
200+
Island-Tested\nSpecies
Dictamnus
Lamium
Stephanandra
Gillenia
Featured Combinations.
Each combination is organized by growing condition so you can quickly find what suits your site.
Dry Sun
The Dune Garden
A sun-baked coastal palette that thrives in pure sand.
Plants in This Combination
Beach Rose
Rosa rugosa
Structure & fragrance
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Fall interest & movement
Bayberry
Myrica pensylvanica
Evergreen mass & birds
Wild Indigo
Baptisia australis
Spring bloom
This combination was built for the exposed south-facing properties of Katama and Edgartown Neck: full sun, sandy soil that drains instantly, and salt-laden southwest winds. Every plant here evolved for exactly those conditions.
Seasonal Notes
Spring fragrance from rose, summer grass movement, stunning fall color in the grass, and persistent bayberry berries through winter.
Dry Sun
The Native Meadow
Wildflower abundance that feeds pollinators and requires almost no care.
Plants in This Combination
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Late-season color
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Summer bloom & seed heads
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Mid-summer gold
Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum
Vertical anchor
This low-input combination creates a naturalistic meadow that feels intentional without demanding maintenance. It's particularly suited to properties with large open areas where a formal lawn doesn't make sense.
Seasonal Notes
Color from June through November. Winter seed heads support overwintering birds. Cut back in late March.
Moist Sun
The Cottage Border
Lush, layered planting with year-round structure and color.
Plants in This Combination
Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia
Airy blue mid-layer
Catmint
Nepeta x faassenii
Front edge & repeat bloom
Globe Thistle
Echinops ritro
Architectural accent
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Ground-level filler
Classic cottage garden abundance, edited for Vineyard conditions. This combination works in the richer soils found in sheltered island gardens, particularly those with good organic matter and consistent moisture.
Seasonal Notes
Catmint blooms May–June and again August–September when cut back. Russian sage and globe thistle peak in July–August.
Partial Shade
The Woodland Edge
Layers of foliage and seasonal bloom under open canopy.
Plants in This Combination
Oak-Leaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
Structural anchor & fall color
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Low groundcover
Ferns (Cinnamon)
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Textural mass
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum biflorum
Arching mid-layer
This is the signature planting zone of up-island properties: the transition from lawn to woods, or beneath high-branched oaks and tupelos. This combination layers textural foliage with spring blooms and autumn color.
Seasonal Notes
Spring emergence of ferns and Solomon's seal followed by hydrangea bloom in July. Brilliant red-orange hydrangea foliage in fall.
Deep Shade
Under the Oak
A groundplane of texture and calm beneath the canopy.
Plants in This Combination
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Dense groundcover
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Evergreen structure
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
Focal accent
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
Spring bloom mat
One of the hardest spots on any island property: dense shade from mature oaks, root competition, and dry conditions in summer. This combination solves it by providing attractive coverage that doesn't fight the tree.
Seasonal Notes
Foamflower blooms in May. Christmas fern provides year-round green. Jack-in-the-Pulpit produces red berries in late summer.
Explore the Full Plant Library.
Browse 200+ island-vetted species, filter by growing condition, water needs, and special features - then let our horticulturists put it all together for you.