Milan Havlis - gardening

Annabelle is a famous and attractive variety of sevenbark, a hydrangea that can take almost anything. Its large flowers appear in mid summer and are lime-green as they emerge, quickly changing to fantastic pure white. They are spherical panicles, often up to 18 cm across. Leaves are mid to dark green. Grow this hydrangea if you are in doubt whether the large-leaved macrophylla varieties with coloured flowers will survive your winter. This one will grow happily in USDA zone 3 where winter temperatures drop down to -37°C, and can be cut severely in the spring. We even re ...entire article

Royal Red is a butterfly bush with deep purple-red flowers that are fragrant and up to 50 cm long. Individual flowers are small and tubular, formed in up to 40 cm long, dense panicles at the ends of the branches. The inflorescence may look like lilac hence its other name: summer lilac. However, it can get misleading as summer lilac is more often used for lagerstroemia. Deciduous leaves are lanceolate, deep green, and slightly hairy. The shrub is airy and makes arching branches. It grows fast and gains attractive shape with age. To achieve a nice looking plant cut back l ...entire article

This attractive hydrangea comes from Belgium and was bred by Johan van Huylenbroeck. It was patented only in 2004 and got a peculiar name: Pinky Winky. Allegedly, the breeder was inspired by the children’s programme Teletubbies. Pinky Winky® is a panicle type hydrangea, not a mop-head one with big leaves and large flowers heads. It has upto 40 cm long panicles, growing strictly upright on sturdy stems so the flowers never bend under heavy rainfall. They come out in mid-summer and continue blooming until the first frosts. The individual flowers appear cream wh ...entire article

Limelight® is a panicle type hydrangea, not a mop-head one with big leaves and large flowers heads. Well, how to explain then that this new variety has even bigger flowers? Never mind, let’s just call them XXL size. The panicles are upto 30 cm long, fat blossoms of greenish-white colour when they come out in early August, changing to almost white after about 2-3 weeks and turning clear pink in September. The shade of pink is not a fading one, but fresh pink as if it was meant to be pink from the very beginning. Ovate, pointed leaves are dark green. The most be ...entire article

Black Lace is a variety of European elder that has lace-like, deep burgundy leaves that look like those of dissectum Japanese maples. Flowers are striking pink panicles that appear in May. Its vigorous growth helps this shrub soon make a dense cover of leaves that are vivid purple in the spring, deep burgundy throughout the summer, and bright crimson in the autumn. Elder tolerates wide ranges of soil and will be happy of almost any location. By pruning in early spring you will achieve a denser plant, that will be easier to maintain the size and shape. Fully hardy to ab ...entire article

We are specialists in evergreen plants and offer the widest possible range of hardy, quality plants. Angustifolia is a very elegant variety of Portugal laurel. Irrespective of its origin it belongs to the hardiest evergreen plants for our climate and performs better than some large-leaved cherry laurels. It has narrower leaves than the species and brighter red stalks and new twigs. It grows moderately and very dense into a regular, pyramidal shrub. In our climate it seldom reaches 3m tall. Blossoms are numerous racemes, compound of white, sweetly scented flowers. Fru ...entire article

Petite Garden® is a novelty of 2010. This abelia makes a dense shrub growing lower than its parents, only about 1m tall. It produces masses of lilac-pink flowers from early summer to autumn. Leaves are deep green and glossy. This abelia is considered to be a semi-evergreen shrub, however, in mild winters it may keep most of its foliage while in harsh winters the leaves will fall down completely and new ones will emerge in spring. Abelias are soil tolerant but will thrive in good, moist well-drained soil, preferably acidic for best leaf colour. Find them a location in full ...entire article

Garden pinks (carnations) are lovely perennials that will enrich every summer flowering border. Can Can is a dwarf variety with bright red flowers of a shape that looks almost identical to cut carnations and the flower heads are about half the size i.e. 5-6 cm. They have a typical perfume, a little less strong then cut carnations. The plants grow approximately 30 cm tall. This is a low-maintenance plant, however, if you would like a few tips on how to produce a perfect plant here they are: 1. Location: carnation in the wild is found on dry and sunny locations such as ...entire article

Lady fern is an elegant and beautiful fern, one of the most popular. It has bright green fronds of lacy leaves. The plant is clump forming, growing into a dense perennial with profusion of leaves from one centre. If desired, divide in March-April, after frosts, before leaves emerge. It needs light and preferably acidic soil that is constantly moist or even wet. It a wet site it can take full sun all summer long. Fully hardy to min. -45°C (USDA zone 2). Last update 05-02-2009 ...entire article

Swamp mallow and its hybrids have been sought after plants for the past few years now. They are perennials with sturdy stems that have large, tropically looking flowers. Oak Red is a new variety with deep red, extra large flower. They are up to 20 cm across and appear from midsummer until the last sunny and warm days of autumn. Another interesting feature that makes this variety stand apart from other red-flowering swamp mallows is the leaf shape. They are deciduous, deep green, divided into three wide lobes. The plant is dependent on regular water and feed supply. Use ...entire article

Coral bells are very popular ground-covering perennials. Georgia Peach is a unique selection with intensely coloured foliage. The leaves are orangey-salmon-strawberry-pink with a conspicuous silver marbling while the reverse is purple red. They are quite large for a heuchera – up to 15 cm across. This plant grows some 30 cm tall as far as foliage, making thin stalks with tiny, creamy yellow flowers in mid summer above it. It can take almost any soil, as well as full sun and humidity. Fully hardy to abt. -34°C (USDA zone 4). Last update 02-09-2009 ...entire article

This variety of Japanese painted fern is a spectacular plant. Its leaves are silvery grey, almost metallic. The stems and midribs are dark maroon-purple. Such fantastic combination makes it a must have for every fern collector. It needs light and preferably acidic soil that is constantly moist. Grow it preferably in semi-shade. Fully hardy to min. -45°C (USDA zone 2). Last update 05-02-2009 ...entire article

Swamp mallow has been a sought after plant over the past couple of years and its popularity is rising as new varieties keep coming in the market. Variety name Mauvelous is a play on words, combining mauve and marvellous, both of which are true as descriptions of its flowers. They are mauve to lilac-pink with a small, deep purple eye in the centre, and incredibly large: upto 24 cm on diameter. Fat buds are deep pink or purple. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage setting new flower buds. Leaves are smooth or nearly glossy above, and slightly hairy underneath, deep ...entire article

Mountain ash is a common tree in our country. In the 19th century a variety with edible fruit was found in Moravia, Czech Republic, it is called Edulis. It bears deciduous, pinnate leaves composed of deep green leaflets, serrated at margins. They change to orange, red and yellow in autumn. Its flowers are creamy white corymbs in late spring. They are followed by fruit which is as loved with birds as with people. The fruit lacks the typical bitterness of common mountain ash and is ideal for preserves and is very refreshing canned as stewed fruit. It should be harvested ...entire article

Mountain hydrangea is an elegant species of hydrangeas. Preziosa is a variety with pink or red inflorescence composed of sterile flowers. Deciduous leaves are mid green and have serrated margins. They are enriched with red-purple shades same as stems which bring an extra colourful effect. The shrub is erect, dense and compact. Hydrangeas love humus-rich, constantly moist but well-drained soil. For pink shades make sure the soil is neutral or alkaline. You can use selective fertilizers to encourage flowering. Mountain hydrangea is hardier than mop-head hydrangea, still, ...entire article

If you like Mediterranean umbrella pines but feel sorry that it is too tender for our climate try to have a look at this selection of dwarf Japanese red pine. It is called Alice Verkade and has bright green, soft needles. It is a slow growing plant making only about 7-10 cm per year, forming a beautiful, dense, rounded head which can create a typical Mediterranean atmosphere when older. Pine trees hate wet soils. They do best in full sun and well-drained soils that is kept moist until establishment. Fully hardy to approx. -29°C (USDA zone 5). Last update 17-07-2010. ...entire article

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This type of yarrow is from the group with tallest stems. They can be up to 1.2m tall and bear flat corymbs of bright yellow flowers from early summer until early autumn. Yarrow is a maintenance-free perennial suitable for standard flower beds as well as dry locations and rockeries. Fern-like leaves are fine and deep green, basal leaves are larger than stem leaves. It tolerates wide range of soils except for boggy and wet. Full sun is best. Fully hardy to -40°C (USDA zone 3). Last update 10-07-2010 ...entire article

Yarrow is a maintenance-free perennial suitable for standard flower beds as well as dry locations and rockeries. Fern-like leaves are fine and deep green, basal leaves are larger than stem leaves. Flowers come out in flat corymbs in early summer. They are brick orange-red with tiny yellowish-white centres. It tolerates wide range of soils except for boggy and wet. Full sun is best. Fully hardy to -40°C (USDA zone 3). Last update 10-07-2010 ...entire article

Azaleodendron is a rare hybrid between deciduous azaleas and evergreen rhododendrons. This unusual plant has very attractive flowers of mauve colour and narrow petals, and narrow, bright green, semi-deciduous leaves. Flowers are sweetly fragrant and come out in late spring or early summer which will extend flowering time of your rhody-moor. For richer flowering and growth dead-head where possible. It prefers bright to dappled shade or partial shade (partial sun). Morning sunlight is a killer, same as deep shade. The roots are shallow, spreading to sides in search for nutrients. Never ...entire article

Swamp mallow and its hybrids have been sought after plants for the past few years now. They are perennials with sturdy stems that have large, tropically looking flowers. Fireball is a unique variety with large, about 15-25 cm across, clear red flowers from midsummer until early autumn. The leaves are very attractive, too, they are deeply lobed, dark green with burgundy red shades. The plant is dependent on regular water and feed supply. Use fertilizers with enough phosphorus for abundant flowering, or any other quick-release fertilizers where nitrogen is not predominant ...entire article

Swamp mallow and its hybrids have been sought after plants for the past few years now. They are perennials with sturdy stems that have large, tropically looking flowers. Kopper King is a variety with large, dinner-plate-size flowers that can be anything from 20 up to 30 cm across. They are pink and white with an attractive deep burgundy red eye in the centre. Deciduous leaves are large, coppery crimson red to burgundy red. The plant is dependent on regular water and feed supply. Use fertilizers with enough phosphorus for abundant flowering, or any other quick-release fe ...entire article

Japanese banana is a popular perennial that can create a tropical atmosphere even in colder countries of Europe. It forms a false trunk with large, up to 1m long, fresh green, deciduous leaves. The crown looks very much like a palm canopy which is why Japanese banana is loved by gardeners who like a bit of exotic feeling in their gardens. Musa basjoo is not a difficult plant to grow apart from winter protection. It is quite soil adaptable but prefers rich, constantly moist but well-drained soils that will not remain too damp especially in winter. Extremely permeable, sandy soil is n ...entire article

Perla del Verbano is a sensational new variety of evergreen hybrid azalea that originated in Northern Italy. It bears profusion of bright pink, double = hose in hose flowers from end June until late July. They appear continuously so you can enjoy them for as long as a month under ideal conditions. Perla del Verbano can be a fantastic feature in summer gardens where it offers flowering when all spring flowers have gone, so do not hesitate placing it near a swimming pool or at a patio where you spend time on hot and sunny days of summer. Evregreen leaves are elongated, quite ...entire article

Hardy plumbago is a superb substitution for its tender relative common in the Mediterranean. This one has even deeper blue flowers with 5 petals, mid-green, bristly, obovate, deciduous leaves with purple margins and purple stems. The plants itself is very dense and in full sun bears profusion of flowers. Grow hardy plumbago in a sheltered position with plenty of sunlight. It is soil tolerant but does best in light, semi-fertile, well drained soil. It is often used in larger rockeries. If it gets damaged after a severe winter just remove dead branches or cut back the plant 10*20 c ...entire article