New assortment

Georgia Blue speedwell is especially admired for its early and surprisingly intense flowering at the very turn of winter and spring, at a moment when the garden is still hesitating whether to wake up. Low, creeping shoots quickly spread sideways, forming a continuous carpet of small, deep blue flowers with a delicate pale eye at the centre. After flowering, you will definitely appreciate the foliage: the leaves are small, narrowly lanceolate and marked by several distinct notches along the margins. Young leaves emerge in a rich mahogany tone, gradually maturing to medium green and developing a high, elegant gloss. The cultivar was discovered in the late 20th century in what is now Georgia, in the Caucasus region, and was introduced into horticulture by the British botanist and plant explorer Roy Lancaster, who named it after the place of its discovery. Compared to the species, ‘Georgia Blue’ is lower, denser and more floriferous, which has made it one of the most popular ground‑cover speedwell cultivars.

In the garden, ‘Georgia Blue’ serves as a subtle linking element between different plantings or larger garden compositions. It performs beautifully beneath deciduous shrubs that provide light summer shade, along the edges of beds where conditions are not too dry, among stones or beside paths, where it creates a calm yet lively blue line. It acts as a modest helper even in places that are not immediately visible, yet during flowering you will surely come closer to enjoy its clear blue colour. It provides a flowering understory for spring bulbs and then quietly allows them to disappear into its foliage once they have finished. It also pairs easily with ferns, heucheras and shade‑loving grasses, its low growth providing a quiet base for taller plants.

Creeping speedwell belongs among undemanding and reliable perennials that settle quickly in the garden and perform well over the long term without special care. It prefers humus‑rich, moderately moist soil, ideally in semi‑shade, where it is not exposed to prolonged drought or intense sun. Once established, it tolerates short dry spells and does not require regular feeding or frequent intervention. For the best appearance, however, it benefits from being cut back after flowering, almost as if mown like a lawn. It responds by thickening beautifully and forming a continuous carpet of fresh, healthy foliage. It is fully hardy down to approximately −34 °C (USDA zone 4) and requires no winter protection.

Last update 26-12-2025

The flowers of the Japanese aster Blue Star display a delicate, pale blue‑violet colour that remains relatively rare among summer‑flowering perennials. It is a clump‑forming perennial with upright, sturdy stems carrying numerous small, star‑shaped flowers with yellow centres. Flowering is long, typically from June through September, and this persistence is one of its greatest strengths. The leaves are narrow, lance‑shaped, and fresh green, forming a light, natural base that never feels heavy, even in dense plantings. Compared to the botanical species, ‘Blue Star’ is more compact, flowers more abundantly, and shows greater colour uniformity. Because of its extended blooming period, removing spent flower heads during the season is recommended to maintain a neat clump and limit seed formation.

You might be surprised by how versatile the Japanese aster can be in the garden. It performs beautifully in naturalistic perennial borders, weaving among ornamental grasses to create a light, meadow‑like effect. It pairs especially well with tall oxeye daisies and coneflowers, or with summer ornamental alliums that highlight its delicacy, as well as with veronicastrums, which enhance the overall sense of airiness. Thanks to its upright habit, it also works well in the middle layer of borders, filling the space between lower perennials and taller clumps. In smaller gardens, it can be used as a repeating motif along paths or terraces, where its long flowering season ensures colour throughout the summer. And because the flowers hold well when cut, it also earns a place in the vase.

The growing requirements of the Japanese aster are refreshingly modest. It thrives best in full sun to light partial shade, in well‑drained soil that remains moderately moist. Prolonged waterlogging does not suit it, but short periods of drought are tolerated without difficulty. Heavy feeding is unnecessary; a spring application of compost is more than sufficient. Apart from removing spent flower heads and stems during the growing season, it requires only one main cut: in early spring, before new growth begins, the previous year’s stems are cut back close to the ground. Under our conditions, the plant is reliably hardy to approximately −28 °C (USDA zone 5) and requires no winter protection.

Last update 14-12-2025

GROUNDBREAKER® is the world’s first series of groundcover panicle hydrangeas. The variety GROUNDBREAKER® GREENY is truly unique. It produces flower clusters 15–20 cm tall, which open in July in rich lime-green and mature to soft chartreuse in midsummer. Owing to this it can create a bright contrast when planted with other white or pink hydrangeas. The plants reach only about 30–40 cm in height and about twice as much in spread, forming a very dense habit that perfectly covers the ground beneath them. For this reason, they are used as groundcover shrubs, as low and compact specimens in small gardens, or as edging along paths and borders of flower beds. They bloom from early July and stay beautiful until mid‑autumn, when the flowers gradually begin to dry. There is no need to cut them back immediately – they look very attractive even through winter, especially when touched by hoar frost. The deciduous leaves are oval to ovate, medium green, and healthy. The shrub becomes rich and offers sturdy branches and large flowers if it is pruned radically every spring before budding (March), leaving about 10 cm of previous year’s branches. It flowers on new wood.

Panicle hydrangeas grow best in full sun, though they can tolerate light partial shade. They are not particularly fussy about soil type but thrive in rich, well-drained conditions. Once established, they cope well with brief summer droughts, though consistent moisture helps keep them healthier. They respond well to fertilization, producing larger blooms and bushier plants. They adapt to any exposure and soil pH. Hardy down to –34 °C (USDA zone 4) and suitable for outdoor planters where they’ll simply need more frequent watering.

Last update 12-12-2025

GROUNDBREAKER® is the world’s first series of groundcover panicle hydrangeas. The variety GROUNDBREAKER® RUBY produces flower clusters 15–20 cm tall, which open in July in creamy white and soon turn to a cherry‑red shade, while new blossoms continue to appear on the shrub in pure white. This creates a fresh, multi‑coloured effect throughout the summer. The plants reach only about 30–40 cm in height and about twice as much in spread, forming a very dense habit that perfectly covers the ground beneath them. For this reason, they are used as groundcover shrubs, as low and compact specimens in small gardens, or as edging along paths and borders of flower beds. They bloom from early July and stay beautiful until mid‑autumn, when the flowers gradually begin to dry. There is no need to cut them back immediately – they look very attractive even through winter, especially when touched by hoar frost. The deciduous leaves are oval to ovate, medium green, and healthy. The shrub becomes rich and offers sturdy branches and large flowers if it is pruned radically every spring before budding (March), leaving about 10 cm of previous year’s branches. It flowers on new wood.

Panicle hydrangeas grow best in full sun, though they can tolerate light partial shade. They are not particularly fussy about soil type but thrive in rich, well-drained conditions. Once established, they cope well with brief summer droughts, though consistent moisture helps keep them healthier. They respond well to fertilization, producing larger blooms and bushier plants. They adapt to any exposure and soil pH. Hardy down to –34 °C (USDA zone 4) and suitable for outdoor planters where they’ll simply need more frequent watering.

Last update 10-12-2025

GROUNDBREAKER® is the world’s first series of groundcover panicle hydrangeas. The variety GROUNDBREAKER® BLUSH produces 15–20 cm tall panicles, composed of white‑pink blossoms whose pink shade intensifies towards late summer, yet remains rosy pink without turning red or magenta. The plants reach only about 30–40 cm in height and about twice as much in spread, forming a very dense habit that perfectly covers the ground beneath them. For this reason, they are used as groundcover shrubs, as low and compact specimens in small gardens, or as edging along paths and borders of flower beds. They bloom from early July and stay beautiful until mid‑autumn, when the flowers gradually begin to dry. There is no need to cut them back immediately – they look very attractive even through winter, especially when touched by hoar frost. The deciduous leaves are oval to ovate, medium green, and healthy. The shrub becomes rich and offers sturdy branches and large flowers if it is pruned radically every spring before budding (March), leaving about 10 cm of previous year’s branches. It flowers on new wood.

Panicle hydrangeas grow best in full sun, though they can tolerate light partial shade. They are not particularly fussy about soil type but thrive in rich, well-drained conditions. Once established, they cope well with brief summer droughts, though consistent moisture helps keep them healthier. They respond well to fertilization, producing larger blooms and bushier plants. They adapt to any exposure and soil pH. Hardy down to –34 °C (USDA zone 4) and suitable for outdoor planters where they’ll simply need more frequent watering.

Last update 10-12-2025

If the title Frozen weren’t protected by copyright, the breeder of this stunning willow might well have considered it. ICEBERG ALLEY® sageleaf willow looks as if covered in icy frost – its leaves are densely silvery‑felted with a bluish‑green undertone, so the whole plant resembles a cloud of frozen mist settled in the garden. And as a bonus – those leaves are as soft as you were caressing rabbit’s ears. It naturally forms compact, (semi)rounded to slightly spreading shrubs, 1.2–1.5 m tall and wide. In spring, before the leaves emerge and partly during leafing (April–May), it produces striking catkins – silvery spikes with red anthers that gradually turn yellow. They are large enough to catch the eye even beside prima donnas like colourful tulips or crown imperials. This detail not only adds ornamental value but also provides a valuable nectar source for bees and other pollinators early in the season.

ICEBERG ALLEY® was selected from seedlings in Canada and introduced to the market by Bailey Nurseries Inc. within the First Editions® program in February 2025 during the Plantarium novelty show in Boskoop, the Netherlands. In the garden, its muted colour brings calm energy and elegance, unifying diverse compositions and giving them a steady rhythm. Thanks to its tolerance of moist soils, it is well suited to pond edges, rain gardens, and damp perennial borders. It shines alongside plants with contrasting foliage and similar (or no) demands such as red‑leaved ninebarks and barberries, panicle and oakleaf hydrangeas, and it is simply spectacular in semi‑bog compositions with bog rosemary, leatherleaf, or inkberry. For perennials, choose Siberian irises, daylilies, moisture‑loving sedges, or sweet flag – they highlight its compact shape while adding different textures. Moreover, although the plant is deciduous, its juvenile silvery stems and soft catkins bring charm even during dormancy period, making it a worthy partner to evergreens.

The hoary willow is an undemanding shrub that appreciates moist, alkaline to neutral soils and full sun to partial shade. It thrives in naturally water‑saturated environments – near ponds, in rain gardens, or on borders that don’t dry out – but it will also manage in an ordinary bed, provided you don’t let it completely dry out. It can be pruned and shaped freely, always after flowering, though compact cultivars rarely need pruning. It is exceptionally hardy, reliably overwintering down to USDA Zone 2, which corresponds to Siberian or Alaskan winters and minimum temperatures of −46 °C. This means it can be grown without worry even in the harsher climates of Central and Northern Europe. And it keeps its ornamental appeal year‑round – from spring catkins to summer silvery foliage and the winter structure of its branches.

Last update 03-12-2025

PEACE AND LOVE is a French cultivar of strawberry tree, selected by François Leverge in 2008 at his nursery Pépinière Le Verge in Brittany. The cultivar is protected under European law CPVO EU 69807 with the breeder’s name ‘Levap’ (2025). The trade name PEACE AND LOVE evokes harmony and positive vibes, inspired by the ideals of peace and love reminiscent of the hippie era. Was it merely a marketing concept highlighting the plant’s aesthetics and the sense of calm it brings to the garden – or a deliberate nod to the iconic round symbol of the hippie movement? A glance at the leaf shape suggests the latter 😊

The foliage of this strawberry tree is truly distinctive. Evergreen, broadly obovate, often appearing almost rounded at the tip, the leaves display venation that – believe it or not – resembles an upside‑down letter Y, just like the hippie peace symbol. They are 3–5 cm long, leathery in texture, and bright green in colour. Young shoots emerge reddish, later maturing into a warm chestnut‑red, adding another layer of elegance. The habit is compact, nearly spherical, with dense branching. Growth is slow to moderate, about 15–20 cm per year. Mature plants typically reach 1.5–2 m in height and about 1.5 m in width, making them suitable for smaller gardens or as a striking feature in a front border.

As a member of the heath family (Ericaceae), the strawberry tree bears lily‑of‑the‑valley‑like blossoms. These are small, clustered in short racemes, and appear from autumn through spring. Peace and Love produces very pale, almost porcelain‑white flowers. Once pollinated, they develop into edible fruits that take a full year to ripen: round berries about 2 cm across, initially light green, then yellowish, and finally strawberry‑red when mature, hence the tree’s common name. With a sugar content of up to 20%, the fruits are not especially flavourful when eaten raw, but they are well suited to jams, liqueurs, and other preparations. Since they ripen slowly and abundantly, unharvested fruits often overripen and ferment naturally in the sun without spoiling. Drivers should take care when consuming them, as they may already contain alcohol. On the other hand, they are commonly sought after by grazing wild animals. In the Mediterranean, the strawberry tree ripens in spring; in Central Europe, autumn blossoms usually succumb to frost, so we wait for spring flowering. If followed by a hot, sunny summer, fruits may ripen by autumn but this cannot be relied upon.

Strawberry tree generally forms an attractive shape without pruning, but it can be trained. Ideally, prune in spring after frosts to encourage denser branching. It is often shaped into a rounded form, and multi‑stemmed specimens are especially striking: retain several strong upright branches as the framework, remove the rest, and in summer shape the crown into a mushroom‑like dome. This highlights the plant’s beautiful reddish‑brown branches to full effect.

It requires good, nutrient‑rich, exceptionally well‑drained soil, where the roots will not rot in winter. It copes easily with clay subsoil at greater depth. After planting, keep the ground evenly moist, but once established, reduce or even stop watering – it is accustomed to surviving the whole summer on rainfall alone, without additional irrigation. Grow it in full sun or partial shade, preferably in a sheltered position. We recommend planting stronger specimens with mature wood to avoid damage to young shoots during the first winter. We have not yet been able to test it in the harshest frosts, but it is assumed to withstand at least as much as its parent: around –23 °C. It does not suffer from diseases or pests.

Last update 01-12-2025.

Cousin Joan chrysanthemum belongs among very late cultivars, offering its richly coloured blooms even with the arrival of the first frosts. The flowers are simple and delicately fragrant; the petals are deep fuchsia with a narrow, almost white inner ring that contrasts cheerfully with the yellow disc. The plant is compact, densely branched, and grows to about 70 cm in height. The cultivar belongs to the group of “single Korean” chrysanthemums with simple flowers. Its origin is linked to British breeding, where it entered the horticultural trade and received the RHS Award of Garden Merit, confirming its reliability and ornamental value.

Its late flowering from October into November makes it valuable for extending the season of perennial borders, especially in places still frequented at that time of year – beds near house entrances, by parking areas, or outside French windows. In all these settings, ‘Cousin Joan’ acts like a burst of colour, best accompanied by contrasting companions – either medium‑sized evergreen shrubs to preserve freshness with their evergreen foliage, or fine grasses such as Pennisetum that evoke the garden’s transition into winter while retaining structure (they need neither tying nor cutting).

Chrysanthemums are not very demanding to grow: they require a sunny site, humus‑rich, well‑drained soil, and regular watering during dry spells. Feeding during the growing season supports abundant flowering. Pruning is unnecessary, apart from removing spent blooms. In containers, roots should be protected from frost. The plant is hardy to about –29 °C (USDA zone 5). When handling, gloves are advisable, as sensitive individuals may react allergically to sesquiterpene lactones present in the leaves – if you have ever been allergic to daisies, sunflowers, artichokes, or dandelions, chrysanthemums may affect you as well. 

Last update 30-11-2025

Gold Queen is a cultivar of the Japanese spindle that produces compact, relatively narrow shrubs with strikingly bicoloured leaves. They have a dark green margin and a bright yellow centre, which immediately distinguishes it from the cultivar ‘Aureus’ with the opposite pattern. Young shoots are vivid yellow, the habit is neat and even, and growth is slower than in ‘Aureus’. The leaves are evergreen, oval, leathery, moderately glossy, and bluntly serrated at the edges. It is considered an older horticultural selection, most likely named as a colourful counterpart to the white‑green cultivar ‘Silver King’.

The use of variegated evergreen spindles in the garden is highly versatile. They are suitable for front gardens, where they brighten up compositions of single‑coloured shrubs, and they also work well as low hedges along paths. They contrast beautifully with dark‑leaved woody plants or, conversely, with those bearing silvery or bluish foliage. In modern gardens they are often used as container specimens on terraces, which must be carefully overwintered, since Japanese spindles are not suitable for year‑round cultivation in outdoor pots in temperate climates. And if you also have the companion cultivar ‘Silver King’, the effect is like a chess match – king and queen in golden and silver attire.

The Japanese spindle is a relatively undemanding evergreen shrub, occasionally a small tree, that will tolerate average soil as long as it is well‑drained. In winter it dislikes complete dryness, so in frost‑free periods it should be watered about once a month if the season is dry. Once established, however, it can withstand longer periods of drought. Acidic soil will enhance the colour intensity of the leaves, though it is not essential for the plant’s health. It can grow in full sun or partial shade, though in regions with stronger and longer frosts winter and spring shading is recommended. Watch out for the euonymus scale, a small white pest that attacks Japanese spindles and literally drains them of life. If detected early, especially on stems, it can be easily controlled with currently available treatments. During the growing season occasional feeding will help prevent bare patches in the lower parts. Pruning can be carried out at any time from spring to summer – spring pruning encourages branching, while summer pruning is for shaping. Hardiness of Gold Queen has so far been verified down to –21 °C (USDA zone 6b).

Last update 22-11-2025

Pink Ice spirea will captivate you at first sight, as soon as the new leaves emerge in spring: the young foliage shows a bright pink tone, which within days transforms into delicately variegated leaves. The base colour is green, infused with creamy white patches, while the youngest parts blush pink, so the shrub resembles a pastel mosaic. New twigs are vivid red. In May and June, dense clusters of small white flowers appear among the leaves, contrasting with the variegation and giving the shrub a lightness, as if dusted with snow. After flowering, numerous small seed follicles develop, but they remain sterile (containing no seeds or only non‑viable embryos). If left on the branches, they can give the shrub a slightly untidy appearance, so it is recommended to prune the spent flower clusters promptly, which encourages production of new shoots and foliage, keeping the plant fresh and attractive. The habit is compact and mostly upright, reaching about 1–1.5 meters in height and width, making it suitable for smaller gardens and urban plantings.

This cultivar was selected by British breeder Peter Catt and introduced to the market in 1995 through his Liss Forest Nursery in Hampshire. Catt was among Europe’s most prominent growers of ornamental shrubs, renowned not only for his plant‑hunting journeys but also for a series of cultivars of his own, including Spiraea japonica ‘Golden Princess’ and the much‑loved Choisya × dewitteana ‘Greenfingers’, which we cherish for its large leaves, fragrant flowers, and excellent hardiness. Peter Catt was a long‑standing chairman of the woody plant trials committee at the Royal Horticultural Society, recipient of the Veitch Memorial Medal (1998) and the RHS’s highest honor, the Victoria Medal of Honour (2018). He also served as honorary president of the Liss Horticultural Society. He passed away in 2025, but his cultivars and nursery legacy live on and continue to shape modern horticulture.

‘Pink Ice’ is an ideal choice for gardens where you want to combine gentle elegance with ease of care. Thanks to its compact growth, it suits small front gardens, urban plantings, or as a lawn specimen. It looks striking alongside dark‑leaved shrubs such as purple-leaved varieties of Physocarpus opulifolius, or conifers that highlight its variegation. It can also be used in informal hedges and mixed borders, where it acts as a fresh splash of color, while in perennial beds it pairs beautifully with blue‑flowering plants such as catmints, sages, or rudbeckias. Its frost resistance and soil tolerance make it suitable even for less experienced gardeners.

Van Houtte’s spirea ranks among the most reliable and least demanding ornamental shrubs – we call them “fool‑proof.” It thrives in sunny sites and ordinary garden soil, requires little watering, and tolerates light drought well. After flowering, it is advisable to remove spent inflorescences to maintain a neat appearance and stimulate new growth. This is also the best time for pruning as it bloom on previous year’s growths. Thanks to plant’s resilience and longevity, it is suitable not only for open ground but also for large containers, where it shines on terraces or balconies – provided it receives sufficient moisture and regular feeding to stay vigorous. The species is resistant to browsing by wildlife, non‑toxic to humans and domestic or farm animals, and fully hardy down to about –40 °C (USDA zone 3a), requiring no winter protection.

Last update 19-11-2025

When people think of Persian ironwood, most imagine a broad, spreading tree with dazzling autumn colours. ‘Vanessa’ once showed that it could grow more narrowly, but with age it widens and loses its slender form. PERSIAN SPIRE® plays in a different league – it was chosen from the very beginning for its consistently narrow, columnar shape, which it retains even in maturity. It stands like an elegant pillar of colour, fitting into a small garden or an urban front yard, and it can even thrive in a large container.

Its leaves are smaller than those of the species or of ‘Vanessa’, but they make up for it with colour. In spring they emerge entirely purple, in summer they settle into green with a wine‑red edge, and in autumn they stage a multi‑phase show – first salmon‑orange, then bright red, and finally purple. It is like watching an artist create a wash painting or patina – beginning with a light base, gradually overlaying deeper tones, and as the colours blend and flow into one another, the result is simply breathtaking. These transformations are exactly what set it apart from all other parrotias.

The flowers are small clusters of crimson stamens appearing at the end of winter, inconspicuous yet decorative on closer inspection. Older specimens also reveal attractive bark – peeling in thin plates to expose a mosaic of cinnamon, grey and green shades, keeping the tree ornamental even outside the growing season. Thanks to these features it is sought after even in the form of a slimmer multi‑stem. Because the cultivar is young and long-term data are lacking, its ultimate height is not yet verified; based on comparative growth rates with columnar ‘Vanessa’, we can estimate 6–9 m tall and 1.5–2.5 m wide in our conditions (in containers or on drier sites, expect the lower end).

The cultivar PERSIAN SPIRE® was discovered by nurseryman John Lewis in 2011 in the state of Oregon, USA. It was not in the wild, but right in the cultivated setting of his nursery, among ordinary seedlings of Persian ironwood. There he noticed one young tree that stood out – growing narrowly and columnar, with smaller leaves and unusual purple spring foliage. He labelled this seedling ‘JL Columnar’, began propagating it, and within a few years it was clear he had found a new cultivar, which in 2014 was granted patent PP24951.

Although Persian ironwood usually demands space, PERSIAN SPIRE® fits even into a small garden thanks to its narrow habit. Give it a sunny position where its structure and autumn colouring in warm tones can be fully appreciated. For contrast, combine it with shrubs or trees of sharper autumn hues such as sweetgums or Japanese maples. It prefers fertile, deep soil, moist but well‑drained; once established it copes excellently with drought, urban pollution, severe frosts and summer heat. For the best autumn colours, it is better grown in acidic conditions, though in nature it also thrives on highly calcareous soils. It is virtually care-free: apart from occasional watering only in the first year after planting it needs nothing but admiration. Pruning can be carried out before budbreak from late winter to early spring. It is long‑lived and suffers neither from pests nor diseases. Fully hardy to about −34 °C (USDA zone 4). This variety will tolerate a large planter with regular feeding and watering.

Last update 18-11-2025

The cultivar name DOOZIE refers to something exceptional, extraordinary, a remarkable piece. And in case of this spirea it tells the truth. In spring, its leaves emerge in vivid red shades that gradually turn dark green, while young shoots retain their red colouration throughout the season. From late spring, clusters of purplish‑red flowers appear and continue to renew themselves until autumn. Since the plant produces no seeds, all its energy is devoted to flowering – resulting in an uninterrupted fireworks display of colour from spring to fall. The habit is compact and slightly cushion‑shaped, reaching 60–90 cm in height and width, which makes it ideal for smaller gardens, borders, and urban plantings. Compared to the species, it is distinguished not only by more colourful foliage which emerges much earlier than most deciduous shrubs, but above all by long‑lasting, continuous flowering, making it one of the most attractive spireas today.

This cultivar was bred in the United States as part of the Double Play® series, which focuses on combining attractive foliage with abundant flowering. It is protected by U.S. plant patent USPP 30,953 from 2019 and European Plant Breeder’s Rights (EU PBR 2019/0404). The breeder is the distinguished American horticulturist Dr. Tom Ranney of North Carolina State University (NCSU), renowned for his innovative woody plants. He became famous especially for his revolutionary series of pink hydrangeas – Pink Annabelle, Sweet Annabelle, and Ruby Annabelle. His portfolio also includes other ornamental woody plants – rhododendrons, azaleas, hollies, barberries, viburnums – and one remarkable novelty: the intergeneric hybrid ×Pyracomeles introduced in 2024. Ranney is a respected professor at NCSU, the recipient of numerous awards, and in addition to breeding ornamental shrubs and trees, he also conducts research on bioenergy crops.

Spiraea began to be widely planted in parks and public spaces by the late 19th century, especially in Europe and North America, as reliable, low‑maintenance shrubs for urban greenery. Japanese spiraea was introduced to the U.S. around 1870 and quickly spread in northeastern states. The advantages are clear: long flowering season, tolerance of pollution, easy maintenance, ability to be transplanted even after many years, and a modest root system. The drawback is that in some parts of the U.S., particularly the Appalachian region and the Northeast, it has become invasive – colonizing meadows and forest clearings and displacing native species, with seeds persisting in the soil for many years. In Europe and its gardens, however, it remains a valued shrub, used as a colourful specimen or combined with dark‑leaved shrubs such as barberry or elder, and it also softens plantings among evergreen shrubs with leathery foliage. In private gardens it is best to avoid hedge-like rows or mass plantings, which may resemble municipal landscaping.

Japanese spiraea ranks among the most reliable and least demanding ornamental shrubs – we call it simply “foolproof.” It thrives in full sun or partial shade, though the richest flowering and foliage colours occur in sunny sites. It can taky virtually any soil type from ordinary garden soil to much poorer mixtures combining construction leftovers and imported dirt. It tolerates drought as well as short‑term waterlogging, and it will even grow in medium‑heavy clay; high fertility or special preparation is not required. Yet in good soil and with regular watering it will look its best and flower longer and repeatedly. Its root system is compact, making it suitable for container culture. Pruning is best done in spring, since it flowers on new wood; shortening shoots promotes density and abundant bloom, and removing spent corymbs can trigger a second flush in late summer. Feeding is not necessary, though a light spring feed after leaf emergence is possible. The species is resistant to browsing by deer, non‑toxic to domestic and farm animals, and very cold‑hardy, tolerating temperatures down to –34 °C requiring no winter protection (USDA zone 4).

Last update 17-11-2025

The cultivar name of BIG BANG spiraea refers to the “big bang” of colours in its emerging foliage. In spring it begins with vivid orange tones that fade to chartreuse, while new shoots emerge maroon to mahogany. In summer, from June to July, large, flat corymbs of bright pink flowers appear at the ends of shoots. These inflorescences are among the largest in the genus, reaching 15 to 20 cm across. The shrub’s habit is compact and rounded, about 60–90 cm tall and equally wide, making it ideal for smaller gardens and urban plantings. Compared to the species, it is distinguished by significantly more colorful foliage and larger flower clusters, and because it leafs out among the very first deciduous shrubs in spring, it offers vivid colours much earlier than the rest of nature awakens from its winter dormancy.

This cultivar was bred in the United States as part of the Double Play® series, which focuses on combining attractive foliage with abundant flowering. It is protected by U.S. plant patent USPP 21,588 from 2010. The breeder is the renowned American horticulturist Timothy D. Wood of Spring Meadow Nursery. His plants have become ambassadors of modern garden culture – from the hydrangea ‘Limelight’ to the ninebark ‘Summer Wine®’, now adorning parks and gardens worldwide. He also breeds for example abelias, viburnums, weigelas, sumacs, as well as chamaecyparis, arborvitae, junipers, and yews. His name appears on more than 400 plant patents, and thanks to his work, ornamental shrubs from the U.S. have entered the global assortment and influenced the aesthetics of public and private landscapes across the world.

Spiraea began to be widely planted in parks and public spaces by the late 19th century, especially in Europe and North America, as reliable, low‑maintenance shrubs for urban greenery. Japanese spiraea was introduced to the U.S. around 1870 and quickly spread in northeastern states. The advantages are clear: long flowering season, tolerance of pollution, easy maintenance, ability to be transplanted even after many years, and a modest root system. The drawback is that in some parts of the U.S., particularly the Appalachian region and the Northeast, it has become invasive – colonizing meadows and forest clearings and displacing native species, with seeds persisting in the soil for many years. In Europe and its gardens, however, it remains a valued shrub, used as a colourful specimen or combined with dark‑leaved shrubs such as barberry or elder, and it also softens plantings among evergreen shrubs with leathery foliage. In private gardens it is best to avoid hedge-like rows or mass plantings, which may resemble municipal landscaping.

Japanese spiraea ranks among the most reliable and least demanding ornamental shrubs – we call it simply “foolproof.” It thrives in full sun or partial shade, though the richest flowering and foliage colours occur in sunny sites. It can taky virtually any soil type from ordinary garden soil to much poorer mixtures combining construction leftovers and imported dirt. It tolerates drought as well as short‑term waterlogging, and it will even grow in medium‑heavy clay; high fertility or special preparation is not required. Yet in good soil and with regular watering it will look its best and flower longer and repeatedly. Its root system is compact, making it suitable for container culture. Pruning is best done in spring, since it flowers on new wood; shortening shoots promotes density and abundant bloom, and removing spent corymbs can trigger a second flush in late summer. Feeding is not necessary, though a light spring feed after leaf emergence is possible. The species is resistant to browsing by deer, non‑toxic to domestic and farm animals, and very cold‑hardy, tolerating temperatures down to –34 °C requiring no winter protection (USDA zone 4).

Last update 17-11-2025

Paprika Flame is a brilliantly coloured tetraploid daylily that looks like an explosion on a Moroccan spice market. Can you imagine a burst of paprika, saffron, and turmeric? That’s exactly the palette blended into this double-blooming cultivar. It bears flowers about 12 cm wide, in deep orange to reddish-orange tones with a darker center and golden throat. The petals are gently ruffled with a soft frill. It blooms in July, sometimes into August, and is a reliable rebloomer. The flowers appear on scapes about 60 cm tall, rising above a compact clump of medium-green, arching foliage. Its habit is sturdy, and the clump holds its shape well without support. In the garden, it is unmissable — both for its vivid color and the bold form of its blooms.

The ‘Paprika Flame’ cultivar was introduced by American hybridizer David Kirchhoff, who registered it in 2000. Kirchhoff was one of the most influential figures in modern daylily breeding — not only as a creator, but also as a passionate advocate. He had a keen eye for composition: his daylilies weren’t just flowers, but living images with a place and purpose in the garden. Together with his colleague Mort Morss, he ran the Daylily World hybridizing program in Kentucky, where dozens of cultivars were developed, known for their intense color, fragrance, and reblooming ability. He was also active in the American Hemerocallis Society (AHS), serving as its president and later as editor of its journal. His work influenced an entire generation of breeders — not only technically, but aesthetically.

Daylilies have strong, vibrant green foliage that decorates the garden from spring to winter. They are rarely troubled by pests or diseases, and slugs are only an occasional nuisance. Provide them with full sun or light shade, and for more abundant flowering, apply a light dose of fertilizer each spring. They tolerate almost any soil, even dry ones, though they thrive best in moist, well-drained soil. They are also suitable for outdoor containers. After flowering, the entire clump can be cut back, or old, tired leaves can be thinned out. Leaves may also be removed at the end of the season, though this is not necessary — the plant manages well on its own. Hardiness is excellent, down to –40 °C (USDA zone 3).

Last update 11-11-2025

Citron daylily is a robust, deciduous perennial with narrow, arching leaves that form elegant clumps up to 80 cm tall. Its flower scapes are leafless, branched, and often rise above the foliage, bearing up to 70 buds. The flowers are sulphur yellow, up to 15 cm long, with a long floral tube and distinctly narrow, reflexed tepals. They open in the evening and often remain until the following morning – a rare trait among daylilies. The fragrance is gentle and sweet, reminiscent of citrus. Blooming occurs from June to July and may continue longer in favourable conditions. Unlike most modern cultivars, Hemerocallis citrina has a natural, airy presence, evoking the grace of a wildflower.

In the garden, the citron daylily works beautifully as an elegant solitary plant, but also thrives in larger groupings, where its evening blooms create a unique atmosphere. Thanks to its height and light habit, it pairs well with lower perennials such as yarrow (Achillea), cranesbill (Geranium), or sage (Salvia). In naturalistic plantings, it complements ornamental grasses like fescues (Festuca) or moor grasses (Molinia). It is also well suited near seating areas, where its evening fragrance can be appreciated. Given its edible buds, it may even find a place in a kitchen garden – though always with care for proper harvesting and cooking. For me, it was above all the flower of the end of the school year, as my mother, who had grown it for years, would traditionally cut a small bouquet for my teacher at the end of June when report cards were handed out.

The growing requirements of Hemerocallis citrina are not significantly different from other daylilies, though a few specific notes are worth mentioning. It prefers full sun, or light partial shade in warmer regions. It thrives in moist, humus-rich soil, but will tolerate drier conditions if the roots have enough space. It is well suited to naturalistic gardens where it can grow without intervention, but in cultivated beds it benefits from a spring application of compost or a light dose of organic fertilizer. Slugs rarely bother it, and it is generally disease-free. After flowering, the entire clump can be cut back or older, tired leaves thinned out. Leaves may also be removed at the end of the season, though this is not necessary — the plant manages well on its own. It is fully hardy down to –40 °C (USDA zone 3).

Last update 11-11-2025

Bettylen daylily immediately draws attention with its large, approximately 13 cm wide flowers in a rich purple hue, edged with striking creamy white margins that are delicately ruffled. The throat is yellow-green, creating a vivid contrast that adds depth and luminosity to the bloom. It flowers in early summer, typically from June to July, and belongs to the group of rebloomers – cultivars that can flower again under favourable conditions. The blooms appear atop about 55 cm tall scaes, rising above a compact clump of arching, grass-like foliage. Each scape can carry up to 15 buds, ensuring a long flowering season. This is a tetraploid, deciduous cultivar with excellent tolerance to heat and humidity.

This cultivar was introduced by American hybridizer James Hall of Florida, who registered it in 1993. Hall specialized in bold colour combinations and reblooming types that offered not only ornamental value but also practical use in landscape design. ‘Bettylen’ was named after his wife Betty and daughter Len, reflecting a personal connection to the plant and a family tradition of breeding. Hall’s work is appreciated for its focus on fragrance, bloom resilience, and the plant’s ability to thrive in the challenging conditions of the southeastern United States, where heat, humidity, and intense sun are the norm.

Daylilies have strong, lush green foliage that decorates the garden from spring to winter, unlike bulbous plants that fade after flowering. They are generally free from pests and diseases, although slugs may attack them if nothing tastier is nearby. Provide full sun or light shade, and for more abundant flowering, apply a light fertilizer in spring. They tolerate almost any soil, even dry conditions, though they thrive best in moist ground. Suitable for outdoor containers as well. After flowering, the entire clump can be trimmed or older, tired leaves thinned out. Leaves may also be removed at the end of the season, though this is optional – the plant manages well on its own. Fully hardy down to –40 °C (USDA zone 3).

Last update 11-11-2025

Now for the cultivar Totem. The name itself suggests a plant with the character of a sculpture – and that is exactly what it is. Totem is an extremely narrow, columnar cultivar of Tuscan cypress, like a green sword thrust into the ground. It grows slowly yet steadily, holding its shape like a soldier on guard. Its foliage is bright green, without the bluish tint typical of the species, and appears fresher than that of the cultivar ‘Pyramidalis’. The scale-like leaves are pressed tightly against short, sturdy branchlets that do not break in storms or under snow load. Totem is arguably the slimmest conifer known, a blessing for anyone with limited space. It was bred in 1984 in New Zealand by Trevor Davias and Cyril Watson, whose goal was to create a cultivar suited to modern gardens where space is precious – and they succeeded. Since then, Totem has become a bestseller wherever Mediterranean cypress can be grown.

Thanks to its exceptionally slender form, Totem is perfect for formal gardens where a strict vertical accent is needed – for example, flanking an entrance to create a ceremonial frame. It works beautifully in rows along paths, evoking a touch of Sunset Boulevard. In modern minimalist gardens, it shines as a solitary feature in a lawn or in a large container on a terrace, adding architectural clarity. In Mediterranean-style compositions, it sets the summer mood and looks stunning either in groups of three or in contrasting trios of shapes: tall + flat + round – an iconic signature of Mediterranean design.

The Mediterranean cypress occurs naturally in Europe and the Middle East within the Mediterranean sclerophyllous forest, most often in its shrub formations known as maquis (macchia), where it is considered non-native but easily adapted thanks to its ecological tolerance. These communities consist mainly of evergreen shrubs and scattered trees on dry, sun-scorched slopes and rocky outcrops with minimal soil and limited water supply. The cypress develops deep roots among stones to seek nutrients and groundwater and can absorb atmospheric moisture (especially at night and early morning) thanks to its large leaf surface. If we recreate similar conditions in temperate climates, it will thrive.

Totem will grow only in well-drained soil – ideally dry to slightly moist, with a preference for alkaline or neutral reaction; it cannot tolerate waterlogged sites, so drainage is essential. It requires full sun; without it, shaded parts will thin out. Being naturally narrow and dense, it requires no to minimum pruning, yet it can be lightly trimmed or kept smaller – best in late winter after frost or in mid-summer. Never cut into old wood without foliage, as it will not regenerate. When planting mature specimens or those with a with a small root ball, use angled stakes for 2–3 years to prevent windthrow until roots establish. Water only as needed after planting; later, irrigate only during prolonged drought. Fertilisation is generally unnecessary, except for weak plants, using slow-release conifer fertilisers in spring. Totem is resistant to pests and diseases and remarkably long-lived. It can be grown in large containers with perfect drainage only as a temporary plant until it outgrows them. So far, it has been tested in warmer regions of Central Europe – lowlands of Prague to Mělník, southern Moravia, and southern Slovakia – where it performs well down to –18 °C with good mulching during severe winters. Enthusiastic growers report even greater hardiness, which is currently being verified.

Last update 09-11-2025