Switchgrass Northwind

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 tufted, upright growing grass. It sprouts very early. It is decorative due to its overall vertical habit and fine flower panicles, which bloom silvery-grey, turn yellow in summer, and transition to sandy beige. It decorates the garden until winter. You can plant it in mixed beds or use it as an element to rhythmically divide the space. Usable for bouquets and drying.

Autumn moor grass is an exceptionally hardy ornamental grass that introduces fresh greenery to the garden right from early spring. Native to the rocky slopes of the Balkans, it is well-adapted to free-draining soils, making it an ideal choice for novice gardeners. It forms neat clumps growing thirty to fifty centimeters tall. Its greatest asset is its bright green foliage, which emerges early and remains in pristine condition in the borders well into winter. The plant is untouched by diseases or pests and handles severe frosts superbly. In August and September, delicate creamy-beige flowers appear above the foliage. These rather subtle spikelets give the plant an elegant, refined look. In the garden, it acts as a perfect filler perennial for sunny or partially shaded spots. It looks absolutely stunning paired with calamint, airy gaura, or flowering oregano. Its delicate flowers and leaves are easily used as foliage filler in fresh bouquets, or they can be dried for small-scale floristry projects.

Fountain grasses originate from East Asia, where they grow in meadows and light forests. They form hemispherical clumps of narrow leaves which, like the flowers, color up in the autumn. They are suitable for the vase and for drying. The 'Hameln' cultivar is one of the most reliable bloomers in cooler regions. The inflorescences initially have a soft pink tinge, then change color to yellow-brown or reddish-brown.

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.

Russian sage reliably brings a touch of sunny steppes into the garden and places almost no demands on care. These sparsely branched subshrubs originally come from harsh, rocky areas from Afghanistan to Tibet, where they grow on open sun-drenched plains. Thanks to its origin, it delights in full sun and poor, well-drained sandy soil with minimal moisture. You will receive from us a well-rooted seedling in a pot, which just needs to be transplanted straight to the chosen spot in the flower bed. It does not need support, is avoided by common pests and diseases, and will survive frosts down to minus twenty-eight degrees. It grows up to one hundred and twenty centimeters and forms striking white felted shoots with silvery grey aromatic leaves. From July to October, it blooms with tiny blue-purple flowers that act as a lure for bees and butterflies and are even edible. Russian sage stands out next to drought-tolerant perennials. The flowers are suitable for cutting and drying for winter arrangements. Moreover, the silvery stems will ensure a beautiful winter effect in the flower bed.

This species of sage originally comes 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, due to the identical flowering time, it is planted as a companion to roses. However, it will look just as good in mixed drought-loving steppe plantings with grasses. It lasts 7 days in a vase. The cultivar Caradonna stands out with a long flowering period and dark, almost black-purple stems with tiny purple flowers and dark purple bracts. If we cut it back after flowering, it will bloom again in late August and September.

The pale coneflower is one of the exceptionally interesting prairie perennials of the North American continent. In its natural environment, it grows on open, sunny plains, which is why it thrives best in our gardens in full sun in drier, well-drained soil. You just need to transplant this grown seedling straight into the flower bed, where it will reliably take root. It does not need support, easily withstands severe frosts, and is avoided by common diseases and pests, making it ideal for beginner growers. During June and July, it will reward you with aromatic flowers with unusually narrow and drooping petals in light purple and pink tones. The prominent prickly centers are literally a magnet for bees and bumblebees, and the flowers themselves are surprisingly edible. The plant stands out especially in rustic plantings together with ornamental grasses. Gardeners and florists love it for its versatility. The fresh stems bring joy in a vase for about a week. Moreover, the distinctive central cones hold their shape perfectly, can be perfectly dried for winter decorations, or left in the flower bed, where they will create an eye-catching winter structure under a layer of snow.

Showy stonecrop is one of the longest-living and hardiest perennials you can treat your garden to. It originally comes from the Far East, where it colonizes sunny and dry slopes. For successful cultivation, you simply need to find it a spot in direct sun with well-drained sandy soil. The 'Matrona' cultivar catches the eye at first glance with its fleshy, grayish-green leaves with a burgundy tinge and sturdy stems that do not break and need no support. We will deliver a mature potted seedling that you can easily transplant straight into the flowerbed after unpacking. We recommend planting five to seven plants per square meter; they will soon join into a solid stand around seventy centimeters tall. From August to October, it will then delight you with rich, flat inflorescences in an old rose color. It is an ideal choice for those looking for beauty without unnecessary effort. This stonecrop easily survives harsh winters with frosts dropping to minus twenty-eight degrees, and pests and diseases avoid it. The 'Matrona' variety differs from others in that it will reliably grow even in more nutritious soil, provided it is not waterlogged. In perennial compositions, it creates a beautiful contrast next to delicate ornamental grasses and other autumn flowers. During sunny days, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators constantly take turns over its flowers. You can boldly use the sturdy stems with pink umbels for cutting. They stay fresh in a vase for quite a long time and will bring a touch of the slowly ending summer into your home. It might surprise you that the leaves of this stonecrop are edible and can be used to garnish dishes. If you decide not to cut the plant back in the autumn, you will get a perfect structure in the flowerbed that will last all winter. Especially when the old flowers are covered in frost, they provide a breathtaking spectacle right until the spring months.

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 charming Gaura 'Whirling Butterflies' is exactly the perennial that will give any flower bed a relaxed, natural look. It originally comes from the dry and hot plains of southern North America, which clearly suggests that it loves sunshine and well-drained sandy soil. You will receive from us a beautifully grown seedling in a pot, which you can simply transplant straight into the garden. Here, it will soon form a dense clump of green leaves, from which long, thin stems dotted with flowers emerge all summer until October. These flowers open in a pure white color and gradually take on a slight pinkish tone. Furthermore, the abundant blooming reliably attracts pollinators, for whom the plant is a great source of food. It can handle even stronger frosts down to minus eighteen degrees. It looks excellent in mixed plantings next to drought-tolerant grasses or other undemanding species. Although it is a short-lived perennial, it willingly self-seeds, meaning it will stay with you in its location for a very long time. If you like creating fresh summer bouquets, Gaura will definitely not disappoint you. You just need to cut the stems the moment the first small flowers open. It is a completely undemanding species without serious diseases, which needs no support and will forgive even beginner mistakes.

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. Serenade is a tender and vigorously growing cultivar. The flowers are semi-double, light pink with a center formed by distinct yellow stamens. The stems are firm and upright; it does not tend to lodge.

Fountain grasses originate from East Asia, where they grow in meadows and light forests. They form semi-spherical clumps of narrow leaves which, like the flowers, color up in autumn. They are suitable for vases and for drying. The cultivar Hameln Gold turns golden yellow in autumn.

A perennial grass native to North American prairies. Switchgrass is very adaptable and long-lived. It adds clear structure to flower beds and simultaneously functions as a softening element. This is especially true after veil-like flowers appear above the clumps of leaves. Heavy Metal is characterized by firm upright growth and blue-green, metallic grey-green foliage. The strict austerity is beautifully balanced and softened by airy inflorescences.

Perovskia are sparsely branched subshrubs, originating from areas ranging from Afghanistan to Tibet. They grow in open, sunny, rocky, and stony habitats. Their white-felted shoots and grayish aromatic leaves are striking. They fit well in sunny flower beds with other drought-loving perennials, where they create interesting structures even in the winter months. Little Spire is a smaller cultivar suitable even for pots with a soil volume of 7 liters or more.

Tufted hairgrass is an undemanding native grass that remains green even in winter. In nature, it grows in meadows and forest clearings. It forms a neat clump of leaves, from which grow delicate thin stems with transparent clouds of flowers. It adapts even to more difficult conditions, such as dry shade or compacted soil, and can handle waterlogging too. The Czech cultivar 'Pálava' is valuable for its extra-long flowering time from July to October. Unlike other cultivars, its flowers are sterile and do not create any seedlings. It is stated that it resists drought best of all tufted hairgrasses.

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. Adrian is a white-flowering cultivar.

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. The faassenii group is characterized by vigorous upright growth, fine foliage, and long stems suitable for cutting. Six Hills Giant has a slightly lighter flower color than Walker's Low. It grows in airy clumps and blooms very profusely. Long stems suitable for cutting.

Tufted hairgrass is an undemanding native grass that remains green even in winter. In nature, it grows in meadows and forest clearings. It forms a compact tuft of leaves, from which grow fine, thin stems with transparent clouds of flowers. It adapts even to more difficult conditions, such as dry shade or compacted soil, and can handle waterlogging. Goldschleier has very tiny spikelets in light yellow panicles. The inflorescence forms a fluffy light yellow cloud above the tuft of leaves.

Great burnet is a native meadow plant that naturally grows in wet meadows, where it forms dense clumps of dark green pinnate leaves. In the middle of summer, tall, richly branched stems grow from them, topped with tiny dark red to burgundy flower heads that gently sway in the breeze. This perennial is absolutely indispensable for the life cycle of the rare scarce large blue butterfly, which it will reliably attract to your garden with its flowers. In perennial beds, it stands out especially in naturalistic compositions, where in combination with ornamental grasses it creates an airy and light effect. The inflorescences are also an excellent material for florists, adding an unusual structure and color accent to bouquets, while staying fresh for seven to ten days in a vase. If you don't harvest them fresh, you can dry them for winter decorations, as they hold their shape for a long time.

Phlomis tuberosa, known in Czech as tuberous Jerusalem sage, brings an unmistakable silhouette to perennial plantings. This robust plant, originally from the European steppes, is perfectly suited for lovers of natural gardens looking for something novel. Its dark purple stems form an interesting contrast to the light pinkish-lilac flowers, which are arranged in regular whorls one above the other. This tiered structure appears very decorative and looks interesting in the bed, especially in combination with finer plants. For florists, Phlomis is a literal treasure. You can cut it for fresh summer bouquets, but its true moment comes when dried. The faded seed pods hold their shape perfectly and will continue to look spectacular in a vase all winter. If you leave it in the bed, it will provide a beautiful spectacle even in the months when the garden is sleeping. It is a completely undemanding and frost-resistant perennial that loves the sun and well-drained soil. In nature here, it belongs to the critically endangered species, so growing it in the garden is also a small contribution to the protection of biodiversity.

An undemanding and modest perennial that blooms with a large number of tiny flowers. It blooms for a record-breaking length of time throughout late summer and autumn. It forms smaller, compact, airy bushes that release a minty-spicy scent. The thyme-like flowers attract bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. It will look good among roses as well as in naturalistic steppe beds, perhaps with lower grasses. This calamint is generally more vigorous. It differs from other calamints with felted leaves by its record flowering length, stiff and shiny leaves, and also a larger number of flowers that do not form seeds and are therefore maximally durable. Sometimes sold under the cultivar name 'Triumphator'.

The Roseus hyssop is an aromatic subshrub whose structure and requirements strongly resemble the popular lavender. It originally comes from the sunny and dry regions of the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, so it thrives best in direct sun here as well. It favors well-drained, sandy, and even nutrient-poor soil, where it easily copes with a lack of moisture. You will receive a grown seedling in a pot from us, which you simply transplant straight into the flower bed, where it will very soon form a neat, richly branched bush reaching a height of around fifty centimeters. It is an absolutely undemanding plant that is not bothered by diseases or pests, so its cultivation can be easily handled even by complete beginners. It comfortably withstands severe frosts down to minus twenty-three degrees Celsius. In the garden, hyssop finds wide application. It fits perfectly into steppe-character gravel beds and beautifully complements roses or lower ornamental grasses. During the summer until early autumn, the Roseus variety will delight you with a flood of tiny flowers in a delicate light pink shade. These flowers, as well as the narrow green leaves, emit a pleasant spicy fragrance and reliably act as a huge lure for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. Since all parts of the plant are edible, you can also use hyssop in the kitchen as a herb to flavor dishes or prepare a medicinal tea from it. You can also cut the long flowering stems for a vase, where they will add a fine texture and lightness to summer bouquets. Although the flowers are not suitable for drying for floral purposes, the plant will please you in the flower bed even out of season. The inflorescences form an interesting structure which, after the leaves fall and are covered by morning frost, creates a beautiful winter effect. Furthermore, if you provide hyssop with ideal conditions, it will reliably self-seed in its location and remain a solid part of your garden for many years.

This species of sage originates from the steppe regions of Central and Eastern Europe. It forms abundantly flowering small clumps with straight upright stems. In 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 an excellent food source for bees. It lasts 7 days in a vase. The cultivar Ostfriesland blooms with a strikingly dark violet-blue color.

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.

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.

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.