Culver's root Erica

Veronicastrum is a native perennial of the eastern part of North America, where it grows in damp meadows and in bright forests. Its flowers, arranged in upright branched spikes, are impressive. They are a great attraction for insects and butterflies. After flowering, the plants are decorated long into winter by durable seed heads. These impressive perennials last about 7 days in a vase. Lavendelturm has narrow, long, and pointed inflorescences, which appear very airy thanks to their light violet-blue color.

Veronicastrum is a native perennial of the eastern part of North America, where it grows in damp meadows and in bright forests. Its flowers, arranged in upright branched spikes, are impressive. They are a great attraction for insects and butterflies. After flowering, the plants are decorated long into winter by durable seed heads. These impressive perennials last about 7 days in a vase. Pink Glow is a garden cultivar of the wild light pink flowering form of Veronicastrum. It has sturdy light pink inflorescences.

Gaura is a clump-forming perennial originally from Texas and Louisiana. Here it behaves more like a short-lived perennial. It combines beautifully with grasses and adds lightness and airiness to flowerbeds. It is excellent pasture for insects. Tiny flowers similar to small butterflies bloom tirelessly from June until the first frosts. Harvest for bouquets immediately 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 tinge. Buds are also usually pinkish. Characterized by compact growth and blooms profusely.

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 beautiful, delicate perennial native to North America. Striking, relatively large but delicate flowers harmonize beautifully with a rich, fluffy cloud of tiny leaves. They form compact mounds and are ideal for the front of flower beds. Coreopsis are classified as naturally short-lived perennials. Their lifespan can be partially influenced by choosing a suitable location and care during the season. The Limerock Dream cultivar is characterized by a soft, warm pink color. It lasts about a week in a vase.

We would find the original species of this speedwell in nature on wet meadows and on the banks of watercourses. It is perfect for cutting and, depending on conditions, works well in beds in combination with roses or, conversely, in naturally designed plantings. It belongs to the hardy and long-lived perennials. It lasts about 7 days in a vase. Its slender spikes look particularly beautiful in combination with Daisy or Yarrow flowers. Excellent pasture for bees and butterflies. A pink variant of the Skyler series bred for cutting with long flower spikes. It blooms in the very first year and repeats flowering well in subsequent seasons.

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.

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. Double Ellen Red is a double-flowered hellebore with rounded petals of dark burgundy red color with a lighter undertone on the bottom row of petals.

A lesser-known species of Yarrow has dark green glossy serrated leaves that remain attractive throughout the growing season, and a sweet pink color of flowers that are larger than the flowers of common Yarrow. It lasts 10 days in a vase.

This robust perennial comes from the southern parts of Canada and the northern USA, where it grows in wet meadows. It forms a dense clump of sturdy stems. The flowers are composed into large flat inflorescences and are an irresistible attraction for bees and butterflies. In gardens, they create striking solitary features. They are long-lived and last in one spot for several decades. Atropurpureum has dark red-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. 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. Double Ellen White is an almost pure white, double-flowered hellebore. The petals are slightly wavy and the bottom row of petals is lightly tinged with green.

Veronicastrum is a native perennial of the eastern part of North America, where it grows in damp meadows and in bright forests. Its flowers, arranged in upright branched spikes, are impressive. They are a great attraction for insects and butterflies. After flowering, the plants are decorated long into winter by durable seed heads. 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, originally from North America. It blooms in summer with dark purple-pink flowers. The spiky flower discs are an irresistible lure for butterflies. Lasts 7–10 days in a vase. After plucking the petals, the stems with the central discs 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 pale and droop downwards.

The aster, or heart-leaved aster, is an originally wild North American perennial, naturally growing in sunny habitats. The tiny flowers of the blue-violet cultivar Ideal are grouped into fluffy clouds. It is an irresistible attraction for bees. It can bloom until late autumn. Its delicate foliage on tall, later slightly arching 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 purple-pink flowers. 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. Magnus features distinctive deep pink flowers with an orange-brown center.

Delicate tiny leaves and well-branched long stems with a large number of tiny star-shaped flowers make this aster an ideal autumn cut flower. In flower beds, it serves as a fluffy, delicate filler and brightens up the garden after summer perennials have finished flowering. It looks good in combination with roses as well as in wild plantings with grasses. Important for bees and butterflies as the last pasture before winter. It lasts 7 to 10 days in a vase. 'Pink Cloud' blooms with a large number of tiny pink flowers with yellow centers.

A perennial grass native to North American prairies. Switchgrass is very adaptable and long-lived. It adds clear structure to flower beds while also functioning as a softening element. This happens mainly after the veil-like flowers appear above the clumps of leaves. Characteristic for the cultivar Rehbraun are fluffy brown-red spikes and leaf tips, colored to copper and brown-red from August.

Catmints are ideal companions for roses, suitable for naturalistic gardens, and lower species also for boxes and pots. Some of them are an irresistible attraction for cats, caused by the hallucinogen nepetalactone. This should be present in the highest amount in the species Nepeta cataria. Conversely, lemon-scented catmints reportedly do not attract cats. The botanical name Nepeta likely comes from the name of the ancient Etruscan city Nepet - Nepi in the territory of today's Italian province of Viterbo, where the plant was once cultivated. Nepeta racemosa naturally grows on dry meadows and rocky, stony slopes from the Caucasus to Central Asia. It has aromatic grey-green leaves and forms a tufted semi-spherical bush. Walker’s Low got its name after an Irish estate where it was bred in 1970. It has the most intense blue-violet flower coloration.

Cupid's dart is a medium-tall short-lived perennial. It originates from the Mediterranean and is therefore suitable for regions with milder winters. Its flowers are white and shaped like chicory. The undeveloped flower buds are also attractive, as are the silvery spent flower heads. It is also suitable for drying. Fresh stems last 7 days in a vase. Alba has white flowers.

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.

This species of Loosestrife comes from East Asia, where it grows on moist mountain meadows. Fragrant flowers grow in elegantly curved spikes, composed of individual tiny white star-shaped flowers. The matte green leaves, which turn beautifully yellow-orange in autumn, are also interesting. It lasts 10 days in a vase.

Perovskia are sparsely branched subshrubs, originating from areas ranging from Afghanistan to Tibet. They grow on open, sunny, rocky, and stony sites. Their white-felted shoots and grayish aromatic leaves are striking. They are suitable for sunny flowerbeds alongside other drought-loving perennials, where they create interesting structures even in the winter months. Blue Spire is an aromatic variety with fine gray-green foliage and striking airy medium-blue flowers.

Feather grass flowers capture attention in beds and bouquets with their lightness and delicacy. All feather grasses love full sun and dry, stony, well-drained soil. To look most natural in beds, it is good to plant them in loose groups of several pieces together with other drought-loving perennials and bulbs. Only then do their stems and inflorescences, set in motion by the slightest breath of wind, truly stand out. Stipa 'Ponny Tails' is a species native to the steppes of Mexico, Texas, and Patagonia. Airy, dense clumps of hair-like delicate leaves resemble horsehair. The leaves are green, turning up to straw-colored towards the flowers. In a suitable location, it also self-seeds.

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 Obedient plant is a native plant of the eastern regions of North America, where it grows on riverbanks and on moist meadows. It forms upright, bushy clumps that spread to the surroundings via root runners. The flowers have the shape of a slender spike with four rows of tubular flowers and resemble Snapdragon flowers. Harvest as soon as the first flowers in the inflorescence open; they 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 spikes with seeds are interesting and usable for drying. 'Vivid' is lower and more compact, blooms early and profusely. The flower color is a distinct purple-pink.

A perennial grass native to North American prairies. Switchgrass is very adaptable and long-lived. It adds clear structure to flower beds while also functioning as a softening element. This happens mainly after the 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 bright golden in the autumn.

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. Traditionally, it is planted as a companion to roses due to the matching flowering time. However, it will look equally good in mixed drought-loving steppe plantings with grasses. It is excellent pasture for bees. It lasts 7 days in a vase. 'Schwellenburg' is a very special variety with a richly branched inflorescence. The little flowers have purple bracts and a wine-colored calyx.

Nettle-leaved Mullein is a native European perennial. It grows on sunny rocky slopes. The cultivar Wedding Candles has white flowers with purple fuzzy stamens. The leaves are grey-green and felted. Like all Mulleins, it is a huge attraction for bees and bumblebees.

Monardas, or bee balms, originate from the eastern parts of North America. They most often grow along paths, in thickets, and on the edges of light forests. They are honey-bearing aromatic plants, perfectly usable for cutting and in the kitchen. Schneewitchen is an older proven variety that is still considered the best of the white-flowering ones today.