Many countries have instigated new Corona rules, asking their people to stay at home as much as possible! #stayhome, #staysafe is the motto of 2020 and is being used worldwide! But now that the weather is improving, we all feel the need to be outside. Since we have to limit ourselves to our garden or balcony, we want to make this an extension of our home and many of us are now redecorating our outdoor space. Fortunately, home delivery is still allowed in most countries. We visited Harold Heemskerk van Heemskerk Plant, who told us about his Mandevilla line. Especially for all those staying at home this month a FloraPodium "Balcony and Garden" edition with the Mandevilla Summerstar in the spotlight!

Heemskerk Plant started in 1961 under the name Gebr. Heemskerk, at first cultivating and growing mainly cut roses. In 1996 Harold Heemskerk was given the opportunity to take over and continue the company. Due to the shifting market, it was decided in 2008 to change the cultivation. The cut roses were replaced by  Zamioculcas and Mandevilla.

The Summerstar collection consists of the Summerstar "Pink", Summerstar "White" and Summerstar "Red"; a line that Harold himself bred together with a German grower. Heemskerk Plant is therefore the only grower in the Netherlands to grow these exceptionally rich flowering plants. The Summerstar line is characterized in particular by the intense colors of the flowers. Harold cultivates the plants with great care and attention. For example, he binds the plants more often than most Mandevilla growers, so that there are more tendrils on a plant and the flowers are more evenly distributed over the plant. The plants therefore have a lot of buds and produces beautiful large flowers. The Summerstar is available as a pyramid in various sizes, as a hanging plant or on a rack.

The Summerstar varietie is only available during a few weeks in the spring. But, fortunately, once bought, it lasts so much longer when treated well. The plants like a partially shady or even sunny spot. And they will bloom well into October, sometimes even longer as long as it does not freeze. The Mandevilla is very easy to maintain. Where you have to remove the dead flowers from most garden plants, the Mandevilla releases them itself and continues to bloom profusely.

During our visit Harold showed us the beautiful Mandevilla Summerstar "Eagle Eye"; his latest variety from the Summerstar collection. For us as a FloraPodium team, of course, a great honor to be able to introduce this beauty to the whole world. The "Eagle Eye" has a beautiful soft pink color with a flaming yellow eye; a very valuable addition to Harold’s the collection. This year only a small number of these plants will be available, and they will mostly be used for promotional purposes, but next year we hope there will be many more!

Finally, just a little nod to the Wedding and Events; in better times these colorful plants are of course a fantastic decoration for an outdoor wedding or large event!