Catmint Washfield

Sidalcea is a beautiful long-flowering perennial. Its inflorescence resembles miniature hollyhocks or mallow. It fits well into classic combinations with roses as well as into wilder beds with grasses.

A lesser-known, taller species of Catmint. In our country, it occurs naturally only rarely in northwest and central Bohemia and southern and central Moravia, where it grows on shrubby slopes and pastures. It is considered a critically endangered species.

A beautiful lower grass valuable for its early sprouting and the long endurance of leaves well into winter. The flowers are rather inconspicuous, beige, and appear in the green clumps only later in summer and autumn. The leaf color is bright green. A great combination with species such as calamint, gaura, or oregano.

This Phlomis grows wild in Central and Southeastern Europe; here it is among the critically endangered species. The stems are purple and bear rough, heart-shaped leaves. The flowers are pink-purple; the dry capsules with seeds are also decorative. It creates a distinct decorative element even in winter. Particularly impressive is the combination with soft, loose plantings of grasses and perennials, into which Phlomis introduces a strict graphic accent.

A perennial species of Verbena native to North America. In natural habitats, it grows in wet meadows, pastures, and along water bodies. It is a great attractant for bees and butterflies. Although not very long-lived, it can maintain itself by self-seeding in good conditions. It blooms gradually over a long period with many tiny flowers. The spent flower heads are also effective, both in beds and bouquets. The cultivar Pink Spires stands out with a sturdy upright habit and flowers in a soft pink color.

Anemones come from the same family as buttercups. With their elegant flowers on long slender stems, they can liven up and brighten late summer and autumn beds. They stand out against the darker background of shrub groups and will also be grateful for 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. Whirlwind is a historical variety bred in 1887 in the USA. It has a semi-double pure white flower, often with inner twisted petals, and compact, strictly upright growth. The flowers are very durable.

A versatile perennial suitable for cottage and modern beds. It also works well in wild natural plantings. While 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. They last 7 days in a vase. Blue Barlow has full flowers of a blue-purple color like the original species.

In its original form, the spotted geranium originates from the northeastern regions of America. It grows there in sparse, light forests. In the garden, therefore, it will suit beds in the undergrowth of taller shrubs accompanied by native woodland perennials and grasses. Strikingly colored cultivars, such as the Geranium Espresso, are also suitable for growing in containers. In addition to the bronze-brown color of the leaves, autumn coloring in fiery red tones is added.

Lupines are striking for their unmistakable flowers and decorative compound leaves. Naturally, they are rather short-lived perennials. Their lifespan is usually around five years. They are valued for their use as cut flowers and as bee pasture. Beautiful lupine with bicolored flowers. Pink with creamy white.

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.

Obedient plant is a native plant of the eastern regions of North America, where it grows on river banks and wet 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. We harvest as soon as the first flowers in the inflorescence open; they then continue to bloom in the vase. In a bouquet, they are a suitable companion for Dahlia, and they last 10–14 days in a vase. The spent spikes with seeds are interesting and usable for drying as well. 'Bouquet Rose' has flowers of a sweet purple-pink color.

Meadow Sage occurs in our country primarily in warmer regions, especially in southern Moravia and northern and central Bohemia. It grows on sunny meadows, slopes, and along roadsides. The fragrant leaves form a basal rosette, from which several sparsely leafy, branched stems grow. The inflorescences consist of striking lipped flowers, which are a huge attraction for bees and bumblebees. Twilight Serenade blooms violet-blue.

A perennial species of Verbena native to North America. In natural habitats, it grows in wet meadows, pastures, and along water bodies. It is a great attraction for bees and butterflies. Although not very long-lived, it can maintain itself in good conditions by self-seeding. It blooms gradually over a long period with many tiny flowers. The spent inflorescences are also effective, both in beds and in bouquets. White Spires is an elegant cultivar with pure white flowers.

Baptisia comes from North America, belongs to the legume family, and resembles lupine in appearance. Unlike lupine, however, it does not suffer from fungal diseases and does not taste as good to slugs. Besides the blue flowers, the large pods that adorn the plant long after flowering are interesting. North American Indians used Baptisia roots to disinfect wounds and lower fever, and leaves to dye fabrics. With Baptisia, patience is most important; it takes some time to fully establish and create a massive root system adapted to survive long periods of drought and fire. Then it is very long-lived. It was chosen as the Perennial of the Year for the 2019 season.

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.

Anemones come from the same family as buttercups. With their elegant flowers on long slender stems, they can enliven and brighten late summer and autumn beds. They stand out against the darker background of shrub groups and will be grateful for their partial shade. The Czech Perennial Association chose autumn Anemones as the perennial of the 2022 season. They last 7 days in a vase. 'Lorelei' has semi-double flowers in a tender light pink tone.

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. White Barlow has a white double flower.

A very hardy and long-lived perennial with an almost year-round effect. It forms upright clumps, and the flowers attract bees and butterflies. The cultivar Brilliant is characterized by shrubby growth and a distinct pink color.

An interesting tuberous perennial with flowers that bloom from the top. This peculiarity even gave it its second Czech name – 'shorakvět' (top-flower). Most plants actually bloom the opposite way, from the bottom up. The purple flowers of a distinctive shape attract bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. Also interesting for bouquets.

This perennial scabiosa grows wild on mountain meadows and rocky slopes of the Caucasus, northern Iran, and Turkey. In gardens, it is grown for its charming large saucer-shaped flowers. It has strong long stems, making it a perfect perennial for cutting. It is best harvested while the central florets are still firmly closed; it then lasts up to 10 days in a vase. The seed heads are also very useful and can be dried. Fama Deep Blue has violet-blue flowers.

Phlox is originally a perennial native to North America. It soon achieved great 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 colorful flowers, it also delights with a gentle fragrance. We harvest as soon as roughly half the flowers in the inflorescence have bloomed; then they last up to 10 days in a vase. Despite efforts to breed the most resistant cultivars, it remains true that Phlox reacts extremely sensitively to climate and soil conditions, so we carefully pay attention to the correct choice of site. The Sweet Summer series includes cultivars bred for greater resistance to fungal diseases. Sweet Summer Ocean is a very special cultivar introduced to the market in 2012. It is characterized by the color variability of flowers during the day. In cool mornings, the flowers are blue; as temperatures rise, they fade, and by noon they transition to purple-pink.

Phlox, also known as garden phlox, is originally a native perennial of North America. It soon achieved great 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 colorful flowers, it also delights with a gentle fragrance. We harvest as soon as roughly half of the flowers in the inflorescence have bloomed; then they last up to 10 days in a vase. Despite efforts to breed the most resistant cultivars possible, it remains true that phlox reacts extremely sensitively to climate and soil conditions, so we pay careful attention to the correct choice of site. The Sweet Summer series includes cultivars bred for greater resistance to fungal diseases. Sweet Summer Sensation has light pink flowers with a darker purplish eye. They contrast beautifully with the dark green leaves.

A perennial of delicate appearance with upright thin stems. It blooms repeatedly throughout the summer until autumn. The florets are purple, tiny, and delicate. The leaves are also delicate and linear. It lasts 14 days in a vase.

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.

Lupins are striking for their unmistakable flowers and decorative compound leaves. Naturally, they are rather short-lived perennials. Their lifespan tends to be around five years. They are valued for their use for cutting and as pasture for bees. A smaller cultivar with flowers in pink shades.

A perennial species of Verbena native to North America. In natural habitats, it grows in wet meadows, pastures, and along water bodies. It is a great attraction for bees and butterflies. Although not very long-lived, it can maintain itself in good conditions by self-seeding. It blooms gradually over a long period with many tiny flowers. The spent inflorescences are also effective, both in beds and in bouquets. The Blue Spires cultivar blooms violet-blue.

A very hardy and long-lived perennial with an almost year-round effect. It creates upright clumps, and the flowers attract bees and butterflies. 'Stardust' has flowers that are, untraditionally for a stonecrop, white.

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.