Foxglove Pam’s Choice

A species native to Central Europe originating from clearings, damp meadows, and light forest edges. Usually a biennial or short-lived perennial. In the first year in autumn, the plant forms a basal rosette of leaves; in spring, flowering stems grow from them. Further development depends on the site we choose. Somewhere it survives another season, elsewhere we must rely on self-seeding or plant new plants. All parts of the foxglove are poisonous. Lasts 6 to 8 days in a vase.

A species native to Central Europe originating from clearings, damp meadows, and light forest edges. Usually a biennial or short-lived perennial. In the first year in autumn, the plant forms a basal rosette of leaves; in spring, flowering stems grow from them. Further development depends on the site we choose. Somewhere it survives another season, elsewhere we must rely on self-seeding or plant new plants. All parts of the foxglove are poisonous. Lasts 6 to 8 days in a vase.

Originally a native species of Central Europe from clearings, damp meadows, and bright forest edges. Usually a biennial or short-lived perennial. In the first year in autumn, the plant forms a basal rosette of leaves; in spring, flowering stems grow from them. Further development depends on the location we choose for it. Somewhere it survives another season, elsewhere we must rely on self-seeding or plant new plants. All parts of the foxglove are poisonous. It lasts 6 to 8 days in a vase.

A species native to Central Europe found in clearings, damp meadows, and bright forest edges. Usually a biennial or short-lived perennial. In the autumn of the first year, the plant forms a basal rosette of leaves; in the spring, flowering stems grow from them. Further development depends on the site we choose for it. In some places, it survives another season; elsewhere, we must rely on self-seeding or plant new plants. All parts of the foxglove are poisonous. It lasts 6 to 8 days in a vase.

A beautiful, though rather short-lived perennial, ideal for steppe areas together with delicate drought-loving grasses and perennials. Harvest for bouquets as soon as approximately half of the flowers in the inflorescence are open. It lasts about 5 days in a vase. An exceptional cultivar with flowers in peach and apricot tones, which fade to an elegant antique pink as they finish blooming.

A species native to Central Europe found in clearings, damp meadows, and bright forest edges. Usually a biennial or short-lived perennial. In the autumn of the first year, the plant forms a basal rosette of leaves; in the spring, flowering stems grow from them. Further development depends on the site we choose for it. In some places, it survives another season; elsewhere, we must rely on self-seeding or plant new plants. All parts of the foxglove are poisonous. It lasts 6 to 8 days in a vase.

A perennial that finds its place in naturalistic steppe and gravel beds. It attracts bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. It is floristically valuable for its flowers with striking bracts, which are also perfect for drying. The roots of some species were formerly eaten candied as sweets in England and France and added to pastries and jellies. In herbal medicine, it was used as an aphrodisiac, among other things, hence its folk name "male fidelity".

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, native to North America. The spiky flower centers are an irresistible attraction for butterflies. They last 7–10 days in a vase. After removing the petals, the stems with the central disks can be dried or used in fresh bouquets as an interesting element. White Swan blooms with milky white flowers and brownish-orange centers. The petals are not spread entirely horizontally; they bend slightly downwards.

The Oriental poppy originates from the Caucasus, Turkey, and Iran, where it grows on rocky slopes and dry meadows. It blooms with large bowl-shaped flowers on tall stems. Like all poppies, for use in bouquets, we harvest them as soon as the buds color up and "crack". Additionally, we briefly (for about 20 seconds) sear the ends of the stems with a flame and immediately place them in cold water. Then they last in a vase for 4 days. The strikingly hairy and large leaves die back shortly after flowering, and the plant must rest until spring to gather strength. A portion of the leaves sprouts again in late summer. Therefore, it is advisable to plant other perennials in close proximity that sprout later and can draw attention to themselves during the poppy's pause. Royal Wedding flowers have white petals with a dark burgundy spot in the center of the flower.

A verbena species originally from South America. In our country, it is often used as an annual, but in mild winters it can overwinter and reproduce by self-seeding. The firm, airy stems beautifully soften perennial beds and make them special with their purple color. It beautifully complements steppe plantings with grasses and rose beds.

Gaura is a clump-forming perennial native to Texas and Louisiana. Here, it behaves more like a short-lived perennial. It combines beautifully with grasses and adds lightness and airiness to flower beds. It is an excellent food source for insects. Tiny flowers resembling small butterflies bloom tirelessly from June until the first frosts. For bouquets, harvest as soon as the first two or three flowers open on the stem. Siskiyou Pink is a beautiful variety with pink-red flowers on slightly arching stems. It is less hardy than the white-flowering varieties. The red-spotted leaves are also interesting.

Perovskia are sparsely branched subshrubs, native to regions from Afghanistan to Tibet. They grow in open, sunny, rocky, and stony habitats. Their white felted shoots and grayish aromatic leaves are striking. They are suitable for sunny flower beds alongside other drought-loving perennials, where they create interesting structures even in the winter months.

A native wild perennial with a large distribution range from Europe to Siberia. Suitable for natural and wild plantings. It grows in meadows and dry grassy places. A very adaptable and undemanding plant, it grows in clumps and spreads via runners. Cutting back after the first bloom encourages a new set of flowers. Harvest for bouquets when the tiny flowers are fully open. It lasts 10 days in a vase. Terracotta features ochre, shades of orange and yellow, and gray-green foliage.

Hellebores are evergreen perennials that form slowly spreading clumps of leathery, dark green leaves. Stems usually bear four to five flowers. They bloom very early, as early as late winter and the beginning of spring. They are suitable for vases only after conspicuous seed pods form in the center of the flower and the flower matures. Before that, they tend to wilt and the stems cannot hold the flower in an upright position. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Hellebore Double Ellen Yellow Spotted has light yellow-green semi-double flowers with striking, dark wine-red spotting.

Hellebores are evergreen perennials that form slowly spreading clumps of leathery, dark green leaves. The stems usually bear four to five flowers. They bloom very early, as early as late winter and early spring. They are usable for vases only after conspicuous seed pods form in the center of the flower and the flower matures. Earlier, they tend to wilt and the stems cannot hold the flower in an upright position. All parts of the plant are poisonous. The semi-double flowers of the hellebore Double Ellen Picotee color into white and light pink with purple-burgundy edging.

Jacob's Ladder is a native wild perennial grown in gardens as an ornamental plant since the 16th century. Its individual leaves are arranged remarkably regularly, hence its common name Jacob's Ladder. Harvest when one-third of the florets are open. It lasts 7 to 10 days in a vase. The cultivar White Pearl has pure white flowers with yellow stamens.

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, native to North America. It blooms in late summer and captivates with long drooping petals. The spiky flower centers are an irresistible attraction for butterflies. It lasts 7–10 days in a vase. After removing the petals, the stems with the central discs can be dried or used in fresh bouquets as an interesting element. Hulla Dancer has white petals with a pink tinge.

An original wild perennial with a large distribution area from Europe to Siberia. Suitable for natural and wild plantings. It grows in meadows and dry grassy places. A very adaptable and undemanding plant, it grows in clumps and spreads by runners. By cutting back after the first flowering, we encourage a set of new flowers. For bouquets, we harvest when the florets are fully open. It lasts 10 days in a vase. Summer Pastels is characterized by a changeable and soft range of colors from white and vanilla to salmon, brick red, and bronze.

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, native to North America. It blooms in late summer and captivates with long drooping petals. The spiky flower centers are an irresistible attraction for butterflies. It lasts 7–10 days in a vase. After removing the petals, the stems with the central discs can be dried or used in fresh bouquets as an interesting element.

The Oriental poppy originates from the Caucasus, Turkey, and Iran, where it grows on rocky slopes and dry meadows. It blooms with large bowl-shaped flowers on tall stems. Like all poppies, for use in bouquets, we harvest them as soon as the buds show color and "crack." Additionally, we briefly sear the stem ends with a flame (for about 20 seconds) and immediately place them in cold water. They will then last in a vase for 4 days. The strikingly hairy and large leaves die back shortly after flowering, and the plant must rest until spring to gather strength. Some leaves sprout again in late summer. Therefore, it is advisable to plant other perennials in close proximity that sprout later and can draw attention during the poppy's dormant period. Coral Reef is a variety with salmon-pink flowers and black spots at the base of the petals.

It occurs in almost all mountain regions of Central and Southern Europe on high-altitude meadows and bright clearings. It fits into natural plantings and finds its place in rural foothill gardens with other robust species. It blooms blue and lasts about a week in a vase.

Lady's mantle naturally grows on mountain pastures and meadows and in mixed forests. It is ornamental in both leaf and flower. The leaves have fine hairs giving the plant a velvety character. It is a perennial sought after by ancient alchemists for the drops of dew that appear in the pleated leaves. Valuable for florists for its multitude of tiny greenish-yellow flowers. Important in flower beds for its ground-covering character. Lasts 10 days in a vase.

Knautia macedonica is a profusely and long-blooming undemanding perennial. Its wild form originates from the Balkans, where it grows on meadows and in scrublands. Red Knight charms in flower beds with slender high stems that carry dark wine-colored flowers. It is suitable for naturally designed sunny to semi-shady beds and meadow bouquets.

Lupines are striking for their unmistakable flowers and decorative compound leaves. Naturally, they are rather short-lived perennials. Their lifespan is usually around five years. They are valued for their use as cut flowers and as bee pasture. Beautiful lupine with bicolored flowers. Pink with creamy white.

This species of sage originates from the steppe regions of Central and Eastern Europe. It forms profusely flowering small clumps with straight, upright stems. In flower beds, it looks best in groups. It is traditionally planted as a companion to roses due to the matching flowering time. However, it looks equally good in mixed drought-tolerant steppe plantings with grasses. It is an excellent food source for bees. Lasts 7 days in a vase. Amethyst is an elegant variety with long stems and a pink flower color that is unusual for sages.

Broad-leaved statice, also known as sea lavender, is a plant originally from the steppe regions of southern Europe. Leathery leaves form a basal rosette. From these, veil-like panicles formed by tiny light lavender flowers grow. Perfect for bouquets; for drying, harvest when the flowers are fully colored.