Oriental Poppy Beauty of Livermere

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.

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.

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. The Brilliant variety has scarlet red flowers with central spots and stamens of dark burgundy to black color.

Rudbeckia, also known as coneflowers, originates from North America; they are robust and abundantly blooming perennials of late summer and autumn. They are suitable for prairie plantings with tall grasses as well as for cottage gardens. The central disks look very effective even after flowering and decorate perennial beds throughout the winter. Harvest for the vase as soon as they bloom. Vase life is 7 to 10 days. We can also use the dry central disks. Goldsturm is a reliable and long-proven cultivar. It has bright golden-yellow flowers with dark centers.

A classic perennial for early summer bouquets and cottage gardens. For bouquets, we harvest flowers with firm, smooth central disks. Then they last 7–10 days in a vase. Maikönigin is an exceptionally abundantly flowering garden form.

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".

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.

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.

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. In flower beds, it charms with slender high stems that carry pastel wine and pink flowers. It is suitable for naturally designed sunny to semi-shady beds and meadow bouquets.

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. Cerise Queen has deep pink to purple-pink flowers that gradually fade to light pink.

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.

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.

A versatile perennial suitable for both cottage and modern flower beds. It also works well in wild, naturalistic plantings. While its main charm lies in the cute flowers that appear in late spring, it is also valuable in beds for its early-emerging leaves. Columbines add airiness and lightness to perennial beds and bouquets. They last 7 days in a vase. This variety was discovered in Cambridge in the 1980s by Nora Barlow, the granddaughter of Charles Darwin. The flower color transitions from pink and white to green.

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.

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 classic perennial for early summer bouquets and cottage gardens. For bouquets, harvest flowers with firm, smooth central disks. They then last 7–10 days in a vase. Polaris is a more vigorous garden form. It can be propagated by sowing.

A versatile perennial suitable for cottage and modern flower beds. It also works well in wild natural plantings. Although its main charm lies in the cute flowers that appear in late spring, it is also valuable in beds for its early sprouting leaves. Columbines add airiness and lightness to perennial beds and bouquets. Lasts 7 days in a vase. Heidi has pink romantic flowers.

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.

They grow naturally in the region from southern Europe to Turkey and Central Asia. These are decorative and undemanding plants suitable for natural perennial gardens. The spherical flowers attract bees and butterflies. They last a very long time in a vase and look wonderful in summer bouquets; they are also suitable for drying. Blue Glow has intensely blue flowers.

Larkspurs are a classic and dominant feature among bedding perennials. We often see them accompanying roses and peonies. To stand out, they require plenty of space and regular fertilizing. You can enjoy their beauty in flower beds, bouquets, and even try drying them; the flowers retain their rich color well. They last 7 days in a vase but are sensitive to ethylene released from ripening fruit.

Helenium originates from North America, where it occurs on damp meadows. It grows upright and in clumps. The inflorescences form small "suns" with a diameter of 5 cm. Hence their scientific name Helenium. A great perennial for cutting with a long durability of up to 14 days. Helena Red Shades blooms in shades from red to copper.

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.

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.

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.

Larkspurs are a classic and dominant feature among bedding perennials. We often see them accompanying roses and peonies. To stand out, they require plenty of space and regular fertilizing. You can enjoy their beauty in flower beds, bouquets, and even try drying them; the flowers retain their rich color well. They last 7 days in a vase but are sensitive to ethylene released from ripening fruit.

Dark Mullein is a native perennial and herb with medicinal properties. The leaves are dark green, arranged in a basal rosette. Unlike the original yellow-flowering species, the flowers of this form are pure white with purple, hairy stamens.

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.

Anemones come from the same family as buttercups. With their elegant flowers on long slender stems, they can enliven and brighten up late summer and autumn flowerbeds. They stand out against the darker background of shrub groups and will also appreciate their partial shade. The Czech Perennial Association chose autumn anemones as the perennial of the season for 2022. They last 7 days in a vase. Königin Charlotte is a massive taller variety bred as early as 1898. It has strong, firm stems and semi-double large violet-pink flowers. The outer sides of the silky smooth petals are colored violet.