Culver's Root Erica

Culver's Root is a perennial native to the eastern part of North America, where it grows in wet meadows and open woodlands. Its flowers, arranged in upright branched spikes, are impressive. They are a great attraction for insects and butterflies. After flowering, the plants are adorned with persistent fruit bodies long into winter. These impressive perennials last about 7 days in a vase. 'Lavendelturm' has narrow, long, and pointed inflorescences which, thanks to their light violet-blue color, appear very airy.

Culver's Root is a perennial native to the eastern part of North America, where it grows in wet meadows and open woodlands. Its flowers, arranged in upright branched spikes, are impressive. They are a great attraction for insects and butterflies. After flowering, the plants are adorned with persistent fruit bodies long into winter. These impressive perennials last about 7 days in a vase. 'Pink Glow' is a garden cultivar of a wild light pink-flowering form of Culver's Root. It has sturdy light pink inflorescences.

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, adding lightness and airiness to flowerbeds. 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 to three flowers open on the stem. Whirling Butterflies blooms with pure white flowers that gradually acquire a pink tint. The buds also tend to be pinkish. It is characterized by compact growth and abundant flowering.

Originally a native species of Central Europe found in clearings, moist meadows, and bright forest edges. Usually a biennial or short-lived perennial. In the first year, the plant forms basal leaf rosettes in autumn, from which flower-producing stems grow in spring. Further development depends on the site we choose for it. In some places, it will survive 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 beautiful delicate perennial native to North America. Striking, relatively large but delicate flowers beautifully complement a rich, fluffy cloud of tiny leaves. It forms compact bushes and is ideal for the front of flower beds. Coreopsis are naturally short-lived perennials. Their lifespan can be partially influenced by choosing a suitable location and care throughout the season. The cultivar Limerock Dream is characterized by a delicate warm pink color. Lasts about a week in a vase.

The original species of this speedwell can be found in nature in moist meadows and on the banks of watercourses. It is perfect for cutting and, depending on conditions, can be used in beds in combination with roses or, conversely, in naturalistic plantings. It is among the resilient and long-lived perennials. It lasts about 7 days in a vase. Its slender spikes look especially beautiful in combination with the flowers of daisies or yarrow. An excellent food source for bees and butterflies. A pink variant of the cut-flower series Skyler, bred with long flower spikes. It blooms in the first year and repeats flowering well in subsequent seasons.

A beautiful, though rather short-lived, perennial, ideal for steppe areas alongside delicate xerophilous grasses and perennials. For bouquets, harvest when 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, transitioning to an elegant old rose as they fade.

Hellebores are evergreen perennials that form slowly spreading clumps of leathery, dark green leaves. Stems typically bear four to five flowers. They bloom very early, in late winter and early spring. They are suitable for vases only after prominent 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 upright. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Double Ellen Red is a double-flowered hellebore with rounded petals of dark burgundy-red with a lighter undertone on the lower row of petals.

A lesser-known species of yarrow has dark green, shiny, serrated-lobed leaves that remain attractive throughout the growing season, with sweetly pink flowers that are larger than those of common yarrow. Lasts 10 days in a vase.

This robust perennial originates from the southern parts of Canada and the northern USA, where it grows in moist meadows. It forms a dense clump of sturdy stems. The flowers are arranged in large, flat inflorescences and are an irresistible attraction for bees and butterflies. In gardens, they create striking solitary plants. They are long-lived and can remain in place for several decades. Atropurpureum has dark reddish-purple stems and light purple flowers, arranged in inflorescences up to 25 cm in diameter.

Hellebores are evergreen perennials that form slowly spreading clumps of leathery, dark green leaves. Stems typically bear four to five flowers. They bloom very early, in late winter and early spring. They are suitable for vases only after prominent 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 upright. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Double Ellen White is an almost pure white, double-flowered hellebore. Its petals are slightly wavy, and the lower row of petals is subtly tinted green.

Culver's Root is a perennial native to the eastern part of North America, where it grows in wet meadows and open woodlands. Its flowers, arranged in upright branched spikes, are impressive. They are a great attraction for insects and butterflies. After flowering, the plants are adorned with persistent fruit bodies long into winter. These impressive perennials last about 7 days in a vase. 'Album' is more compact than the original wild species. It blooms with elegant pure white flowers with apricot-colored stamens. The buds are white-green.

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, native to North America. It blooms in summer with dark purplish-pink flowers. The spiky flower heads are an irresistible magnet for butterflies. Lasts 7–10 days in a vase. After the petals are picked, the stems with the central heads can be dried or used in fresh bouquets as an interesting element. Rubinstern is very similar to the Magnus cultivar; the petals are darker and firmer. As they fade, they gradually lighten and bend downwards.

Astra, or also heart-leaved aster, is a wild North American perennial, naturally growing in sunny locations. The small bluish-purple flowers of the Ideal cultivar are grouped into fluffy clouds. It is an irresistible attraction for bees. It can bloom long into autumn. Its delicate foliage on tall, later slightly drooping shoots is also attractive. It lasts 7 to 10 days in a vase.

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, native to North America. It blooms in summer with dark purplish-pink flowers. The spiky flower cones are an irresistible magnet for butterflies. They last 7–10 days in a vase. After the petals are picked, the stems with the central cones can be dried or used in fresh bouquets as an interesting element. Magnus has striking deep pink flowers with an orange-brown center.

Jemné drobné lístky a dobře větvené dlouhé stonky s velkým počtem drobných hvězdičkovitých květů dělají z této astry ideální podzmní květinu k řezu. V záhonech se uplatní jako nadýchaná jemná výplň a rozzáří zahradu po odkvětu letních trvalek. Dobře bude vypadat v kombinaci s růžemi i v divokých výsadbách s trávami. Důležitá pro včely a motýly jako poslední pastva před zimou. Ve váze vydrží 7 až 10 dní. Pink Cloud vykvétá velkým množstvím drobných růžových kvítků se žlutými středy.

A perennial grass native to the North American prairies. Switchgrass is very adaptable and long-lived. It provides clear structure to flower beds and simultaneously acts as a softening element, especially after its veil-like flowers appear above the clumps of leaves. The cultivar Rehbraun is characterized by fluffy reddish-brown spikes and leaf tips, colored copper and reddish-brown from August.

Catmints are ideal companions for roses, suitable for natural-style gardens and, the smaller varieties, for window boxes and pots. Some of them are an irresistible attraction for cats, due to the hallucinogen nepetalactone. This should be present in the highest degree in the species Nepeta cataria. Conversely, lemon-scented catmints reportedly do not attract cats. The botanical name Nepeta probably comes from the ancient Etruscan city of Nepet - Nepi in today's Italian province of Viterbo, where the plant was once cultivated. The faassenii group is characterized by vigorous upright growth, delicate foliage, and long stems suitable for cutting. 'Walker's Low' got its name from the Irish estate where it was bred in 1970. It has the most intense blue-purple flower coloration.

Gaura is a clump-forming perennial native to Texas and Louisiana. In our climate, it behaves more like a short-lived perennial. It combines beautifully with grasses and adds lightness and airiness to flowerbeds. It is an excellent food source for insects. Tiny, butterfly-like flowers bloom tirelessly from June until the first frosts. For bouquets, we harvest as soon as the first two to three flowers open on the stem. Siskiyou Pink is a beautiful variety with rose-red flowers on slightly arched stems. Less hardy than white-flowering varieties. The red-spotted leaves are also interesting.

Poblekla (Cupidone) is a medium-height, short-lived perennial. It originates from the Mediterranean and is therefore suitable for areas with milder winters. Its flowers are white and similar in shape to chicory. The unopened flower buds are also attractive, as are the silvery spent inflorescences. It is also suitable for drying. Fresh in a vase, it lasts 7 days. Alba has white flowers.

This species of loosestrife comes from East Asia, where it grows in damp mountain meadows. Fragrant flowers grow in elegantly arching spikes, composed of tiny white star-shaped florets. The dull green leaves are also interesting, turning a beautiful yellow-orange in autumn. Lasts 10 days in a vase.

Perovskia are sparsely branched subshrubs, native to areas from Afghanistan to Tibet. They grow in open, sunny, rocky, and stony habitats. Their striking features are their white, felted shoots and grayish, aromatic leaves. They are suitable for sunny beds alongside other drought-tolerant perennials, where they create interesting structures even in winter months. Blue Spire is an aromatic cultivar with delicate grey-green foliage and striking, airy, medium-blue flowers.

Stipa flowers captivate in beds and bouquets with their lightness and delicacy. All stipas love full sun and dry, stony, well-drained soil. To make them look as natural as possible in beds, it is good to plant them in several pieces in loose groups along with other drought-tolerant perennials and bulbs. Only then will their stems and inflorescences come alive with the slightest breath of wind. 'Ponny Tails' is a species native to the steppes of Mexico, Texas, and Patagonia. Airy, dense tufts of hair-like, delicate leaves resemble horsehair. The leaves are green, turning straw-colored towards the flowers. It even self-seeds in a suitable location.

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

Physostegia is native to the eastern regions of North America, where it grows on riverbanks and in damp meadows. It forms upright, bushy clumps that spread outwards by root suckers. The flowers are shaped like slender spikes with four rows of tubular flowers, resembling snapdragons. Harvest them as soon as the first flowers in the inflorescence open; they will continue to bloom in the vase. In a bouquet, they are a suitable companion for dahlias and last 10–14 days in a vase. The spent flower spikes with seeds are interesting and can also be used for drying. Vivid is shorter and more compact, blooming early and profusely. The flower color is distinctively purplish-pink.

A perennial grass native to the North American prairies. Switchgrass is very adaptable and long-lived. It provides clear structure to flower beds and simultaneously acts as a softening element, especially after its veil-like flowers appear above the clumps of leaves. Northwind is a cultivar with an upright and slender growth habit. Its grey-blue-green leaves turn vibrant gold in autumn.

Tento druh šalvěje pochází původně ze stepních oblastí střední a východní Evropy. Tvoří bohatě kvetoucí malé trsy s rovnými vzpřímenými stonky. V záhonech nejlépe vypadá ve skupinách. Tradičně se vysazuje, pro shodnou dobu kvetení, jako doprovod růží. Stejně dobře bude ale vypadat i ve smíšených suchomilných stepních výsadbách s trávami. Je výbornou pastvou pro včely. Ve váze vydrží 7 dní. Schwellenburg je velmi zvláštní odrůda s bohatě větveným květenstvím. Kvítky mají fialové listeny a vínový kalich.

Southern mullein (Verbascum chaixii) is a native European perennial. It grows on sunny, stony hillsides. The 'Wedding Candles' cultivar has white flowers with purple, downy stamens. The leaves are grey-green and felted. Like all mulleins, it is a great attraction for bees and bumblebees.

Monardas, also known as bee balm, originate from the eastern parts of North America. They most commonly grow along roadsides, in shrubs, and at the edges of light forests. They are aromatic, melliferous plants, perfect for cutting and for culinary use. 'Schneewitchen' is an older, proven cultivar that is still considered the best among white-flowering varieties.