Blue Allium

Round-headed garlic (Allium sphaerocephalon) is a summer-flowering allium; its leaves resemble chives and yellow and dry out when in bloom. The ovoid flowerheads are 3 to 5 centimetres large and densely packed. The flowers are a striking, dark purple-burgundy colour. It blooms in summer and is suitable for steppe-like plantings with delicate grasses. It's perfect for cutting and can also be dried.

Meadow sage occurs in our country primarily in warmer regions, especially in warmer regions, especially in South Moravia and Northern and Central Bohemia. It grows in sunny meadows, hillsides, and along roads. Its fragrant leaves form a basal rosette, from which several less leafy, branched stems emerge. The inflorescences are composed of striking, lipped flowers that are a great attraction for bees and bumblebees. 'Rose Rhapsody' has light pink flowers.

Requires a sunny position, can tolerate moderate partial shade. Once established, it handles drought well. Ideal is regular, well-draining garden soil. Iceland poppy flowers are simple, slightly larger than annual corn poppies, and last longer in a vase. They appear throughout spring, sometimes even in September. The leaves are fresh green and arranged in a basal rosette. The entire plant secretes milky sap. Like all poppies, for use in bouquets, we harvest them as soon as the buds color up and "burst open." Additionally, we briefly (for about 20 seconds) sear the ends of the stems with a flame and immediately place them in cold water. They will then last 4 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.

Mints are well-known perennials and herbs, used in floristry as fragrant greenery. This popular tea mint has fresh green leaves and delicate purple flowers.

This attractive wild species originates from southern Turkey and Syria. Its flowers are not as opulent as those of large-flowered varieties. They look like delicate pinkish-purple sparklers on long, thin stems. In beds, they are well-suited for steppe-like plantings. They are perfectly usable for cutting, both fresh and dried. They last 14 days in a vase.

An impressive large-flowered allium with enormous lilac-purple flowerheads.

Sneezeweed originates from North America, where it can be found in moist meadows. It grows upright in clumps. The inflorescences form small 'suns' with a diameter of 5 cm, hence their scientific name Helenium. A great perennial for cutting, lasting up to 14 days in a vase. 'Fatamorgana' enchants with contrasting brownish central discs and yellow petals.

Hyacinthoides is a beautiful bulbous plant native to southwestern Europe, where it grows in light deciduous forests. Multiple leaves emerge from the bulb, but only one flower stalk. In the right location, the plant readily propagates itself through daughter bulbs and seeds, forming colonies. It flowers in May to June. The leaves soon die back after flowering. For the longest vase life, it's best to harvest them just before the florets open. Then they will last up to 14 days in a vase. Rosea blooms with light pink florets.

A short-lived perennial with silver, softly felted stems and leaves. It blooms for a very long time, with a new flower opening each day, replacing the previous one. An elegant white variant of the basic species.

This South American Verbena species is often grown as an annual here, but in mild winters, it can survive and self-seed. Its sturdy, airy stems beautifully soften perennial beds and add a special touch with their purple color. It perfectly complements steppe plantings with grasses and rose beds.

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, native to North America. It blooms in late summer and captivates with long, hanging petals. Its 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 cones can be dried or used as an interesting element in fresh bouquets.

Phlox is a perennial native to North America. It quickly gained popularity in European gardens and has been systematically bred since the 19th century. It is a classic perennial for cutting into bouquets, where, in addition to its colorful flowers, it also delights with a delicate scent. We harvest when about half of the flowers in the inflorescence are open; it will then last up to 10 days in a vase. Despite efforts to breed the most resilient cultivars, phlox remains exceptionally sensitive to climate and soil conditions, so careful attention must be paid to selecting the right site. 'Fujiyama' is a classic and still popular variety bred in the USA in 1965. Its elegant flowers are small and pure white. It blooms very profusely.

This yarrow primarily grows in moist or wet habitats – wet meadows, springs, riverbanks, and pond edges. The flowers are semi-double with a grayish-yellow center. It lasts 10 days in a vase.

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

Coneflowers (Rudbeckia) originate from North America and are robust and profusely flowering perennials of late summer and autumn. They are suitable for prairie plantings with tall grasses and for country gardens by cottages. The central cones, after the seeds ripen, look very effective and adorn perennial beds even through winter. For vases, harvest them as soon as they bloom. Vase life is 7 to 10 days. Dry central cones can also be used. Goldsturm is its most famous cultivar. It has bright golden-yellow flowers with dark centers.

This garlic is probably the tallest wild species. It blooms from the end of May with dense, spherical purple flowers. The inflorescence usually has a diameter of 12–14 centimeters.

This allium originates from the Mediterranean, where it naturally grows in dry steppe communities. Delicate star-shaped flowers in pink grow on upright stems. The flowerheads are usually about 7 cm in size. In gardens, it looks beautiful with drought-tolerant grasses and herbs. It lasts up to 14 days in a vase.

A beautiful allium native to the Balkans, perfect for dry spots and full sun. It stands out with its exceptionally dark, semi-spherical flowerheads composed of individual star-shaped flowers.

Naturally growing 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 gorgeous in summer bouquets; they are also suitable for drying. Blue Glow has intensely blue flowers.

Monarda bradburiana is a native species growing wild in Illinois, USA. It is the earliest blooming of the Monardas, flowering in spring, and also among the shorter varieties. It is resistant to fungal diseases and tolerates drier conditions better. It is classified as a honey plant. The leaves have a pleasant mint-oregano scent.

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.

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 cutting for a vase only after conspicuous seed pods form in the center of the flower and the flower matures. Before this, they tend to wilt, and the stems cannot hold the flower upright. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Double Ellen Pink Spotted has full, delicate pink flowers with dark burgundy spots.