Bear's Breeches

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.

Dark mullein is a native perennial and a popular medicinal herb that will bring a piece of unbridled nature into your garden. Its natural home is found on sunny slopes, embankments, and roadsides, which is why it thrives best in our gardens in full sun, in well-drained and rather sandy soil. It can handle longer periods of drought and easily survives frosts down to minus twenty-three degrees. It forms a neat basal rosette of dark green leaves, from which sturdy stems over a meter tall emerge in May and June. While the original wild species blooms yellow, this exceptional var. album form boasts pure white flowers cleverly decorated with purple and finely hairy stamens. These flowers act literally as a magnet for bees and other beneficial pollinators. Although it is a short-lived perennial, if it likes it at your place, it will reliably take care of new seedlings and grow in the same spot in the following years. In a flowerbed, it perfectly complements drought-tolerant grasses and fits beautifully into naturally styled plantings. You can also confidently cut the sturdy, tall flower stems for a vase, where they will look stunning for several days, and they serve as an unconventional element in summer bouquets. Mullein does not require any complicated care, and generally does not suffer from pests or diseases, so even complete beginners can grow it without any trouble.

The pale coneflower originally comes from the vast and sunny North American prairies, where it grows as a hardy and long-lived perennial. The Hula Dancer cultivar brings softness and elegance to gardens thanks to its pastel pink to white petals, which hang gracefully downwards and resemble dancing figures when blown by the wind. You will receive from us a grown seedling in a pot, which you just need to transplant into loamy or sandy well-drained soil in a sunny location. The coneflower is completely undemanding, easily handles severe frosts, and is avoided by most diseases and pests. During the summer, it blooms on sturdy stems about eighty centimeters high, and its fragrant, prickly centers reliably attract pollinators from far and wide. It fits perfectly into naturally styled and gravel flower beds, where it finds use alongside grasses and other sun-loving species. The flowers are also edible and are perfectly suited for summer bouquets. Harvest them fully open, and they will bring you joy in a vase for up to ten days. The flower cones without petals look very original in arrangements, and you can also easily dry them for winter decorations. In the flower bed, it pays to leave a few stems over the winter, because the snow-covered cones create a wonderful spectacle.

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.

Milk parsley originates from the distant regions of the Himalayas and Nepal, where it grows as a long-lived and hardy perennial. It stands out with exceptionally decorative, finely pinnate leaves of a fresh green color, which at first glance resemble a tiny fern. These leaves form rich basal clumps, from which sturdy reddish stems grow during July and August, reaching a height of up to one hundred and twenty centimeters. At their tops, fluffy white umbels of flowers up to twenty centimeters wide open, bringing softness and lightness to the flower beds. You will receive a grown seedling in a pot from us, which you simply transplant into the garden, where it will soon become a prominent feature from spring to autumn. In the garden, it is best suited to a sunny location and regular, well-drained soil. It is an absolutely undemanding plant that is avoided by pests and diseases, so even complete beginners can easily handle its cultivation. Milk parsley handles Czech winters without difficulty and tolerates frosts down to minus twenty-three degrees Celsius. Because it is a more vigorous species, we recommend maintaining a spacing of around eighty centimeters when planting. In perennial beds, it perfectly complements other sun-loving species and ornamental grasses, to which it adds a natural meadow touch. In addition, the wide white flowers act as a reliable lure for bees and other beneficial insects from the wide surroundings during the summer. If you like to create fresh bouquets, milk parsley will certainly please you in the summer months. Its striking inflorescences on sturdy reddish stems bring a beautiful meadow character to vases and add airy volume to every floral arrangement. It is best to cut the flowers for a vase early in the morning or in the evening when the tiny little flowers are fully open. With regular changes of clean water, they will stay fresh at home for seven to ten days and retain their radiant color. Experienced florists like to dry these flowers for winter decorations, while they also look interesting as original greenery in bouquets, for which you can cut its fine leaves from as early as spring.

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.

Mullein brings a touch of wild nature and unusual elegance to the garden. In their natural habitat, these majestic plants colonize sun-drenched locations and dry slopes, which gives them extraordinary resilience. They thrive best in full sun in well-drained, rather sandy soil, where they do not suffer from winter moisture. Although it is a short-lived perennial, thanks to its height of up to one hundred and twenty centimeters, it forms an unmissable vertical element in the flowerbeds. It fits perfectly into steppe areas alongside fine drought-tolerant grasses and other perennials. During May and June, its tall stems become a sought-after pasture for bees and other pollinators. The plant easily handles frosts down to minus twenty-three degrees and does not suffer from diseases or pests, so transplanting and growing this seedling is suitable even for complete beginners. If you like to decorate your interior, you can also use mullein in summer bouquets. We harvest the stems when about half of the flowers in the inflorescence are open, and they last around five days in a vase. The Southern Charm cultivar is exceptional for its coloration. The flowers bloom in soft peach and apricot tones and transition into an elegant dusty pink color as they fade.

Hesperis matronalis, commonly known as sweet rocket, is popular for its rich inflorescences in purple and lilac shades, which appear from May to July. This robust plant grows up to one meter tall and functions in gardens as a short-lived perennial or biennial. Its flowers are a magnet for pollinators, especially nocturnal ones, which are attracted by its specific fragrance that intensifies after dark. It looks very natural in flowerbeds and perfectly complements perennial compositions, where it often self-seeds in suitable spots. If you love creating floral arrangements, sweet rocket will not disappoint you. We cut the stems the moment the first blooms open, and they will bring us joy in a vase for up to a week. A specific feature of this plant is that even after cutting, the stems can still grow slightly in water, which adds an interesting dynamic to bouquets.

Hellebores are evergreen perennials that form slowly spreading clumps of leathery, dark green leaves. The stems usually carry four to five flowers. They bloom very early, as early as late winter and early spring. They can be used in a vase only after conspicuous seed pods form in the center of the flower and the flower matures. Picked earlier, they tend to wilt and the stems cannot hold the flower upright. All parts of the plant are poisonous. The semi-double flowers of the Double Ellen Picotee hellebore take on white and light pink hues with a purplish-burgundy edging.

The 'Brilliant' prairie mallow is a charming short-lived perennial that resembles miniature hollyhocks with its flowers and brings a romantic touch to the summer garden. Its homeland is the sunny plains and meadows of North America, so it will also grow best in full sun in your garden. We send customers mature potted seedlings, which simply need to be transplanted into well-drained, loamy, and sufficiently humous soil. Caring for it is very easy and can be effortlessly managed even by beginners. During the summer, it needs regular watering, and the only things you need to watch out for are slugs and the possible appearance of rust on the leaves. However, the plant is highly frost-resistant and will survive the winter without problems down to minus twenty-eight degrees. From June to September, it forms tall, straight stems heavily laden with tiny flowers. These reliably act as a magnet for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, providing them with a rich pasture. An interesting fact is that these flowers are completely safe and even edible, so you can use them to liven up summer salads or desserts. In flowerbeds, the prairie mallow perfectly complements classic combinations with roses, but it also fits perfectly into wilder plantings in the company of ornamental grasses. It grows to a height of around one meter and does not need any support. If you like to decorate your home with fresh flowers, prairie mallow stems are great for cutting and look beautiful in summer bouquets. The 'Brilliant' cultivar stands out especially for its vibrant, richly colored flowers in shades of crimson, which you truly will not miss against the green background of the leaves.

It is a typical Mediterranean species that tolerates drought and heat well here, but not winter waterlogging. The wulfenii cultivar should be less sensitive to cold, but intolerance to winter waterlogging remains. Plant in protected places, e.g., in front of a warm house wall in Mediterranean-style beds. Floristically, it is valuable for its greenery and early flowering. Lasts 7–10 days in a vase. Beware of the milky sap in the stems, which can irritate the skin.

Rudbeckia Henry Eilers is an extraordinary perennial that will bring the magic of late summer and the wild North American prairies into the garden. As a native species, it grows wild on sunny plains, so even here it thrives best in full sun in loamy, clayey, and well-drained soil. You will receive a grown seedling in a pot from us, which you simply transplant straight into the flower bed. It is a very reliable and long-lived plant that does not suffer from diseases or pests and easily handles harsh frosts down to minus twenty-eight degrees. Even complete beginners can playfully manage caring for it. The Henry Eilers cultivar, named after its discoverer, catches the eye at first glance. Bright yellow petals, which are unconventionally rolled into narrow tubes, grow out of prominent brown centers. The flowers on sturdy stems grow over one meter tall and do not need any support. In the garden, this rudbeckia is perfectly suited for prairie plantings alongside ornamental grasses or in country gardens, where its flowers attract bees and butterflies. Florists love using it for cutting. We cut the stems for a vase as soon as the flowers open, and they will bring you joy for seven to ten days. The faded dark cones look great in dry arrangements, and if you leave them in the flower bed, they will create a beautiful spectacle during the winter, especially when covered in frost.

Phlomis, sometimes nicknamed Jerusalem sage, is a valuable perennial bringing a Mediterranean atmosphere to the garden. Originally from the Greek islands and Turkey, this plant is accustomed to harsher conditions, thanks to which it perfectly handles our hot summers and poorer, well-drained soils. Its gray-green, felt-like leaves form a dense cover that works as a reliable barrier against weeds, and it surprisingly tolerates shade under tree canopies well, provided it is not too moist there. In summer, it will thrill you with pastel yellow flowers arranged in regular whorls above each other, which look very exotic and attract plenty of bees and bumblebees. For florists, phlomis is a literal treasure. The fresh flowers look very elegant in a vase, but dried stems with mature seed pods will put on an even greater show. These hold their shape for a long time and are one of the best materials for dried arrangements. Moreover, you can leave them standing in the flowerbed until spring, because their striking silhouette looks breathtaking when covered in frost. It is a rewarding and long-lived plant that even a complete beginner can easily handle.

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.

Hellebores are evergreen perennials that form slowly expanding clumps of leathery, dark green leaves. The stems usually bear four to five flowers. They bloom very early, already at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. They are usable for a vase 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 upright. All parts of the plant are poisonous. The 'Double Ellen Yellow Spotted' hellebore has light yellow-green semi-double flowers with striking, dark burgundy spotting.

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, already in 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 do not hold the flower in an upright position. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Double Ellen Pink Spotted has double, soft pink flowers with dark burgundy spots.

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.

Clematis 'Mrs R. Brydon' is an unusual and very resilient perennial that brings softness and color to the garden just as summer transitions into autumn. The original species comes from the shrubby and forest edges of East Asia, which is why a location in the sun or partial shade suits it well here too. It will thrive in loamy and humus-rich soil with regular watering. An interesting feature of this clematis is its variable growth. If you provide it with support in the form of a fence or trellis, it will willingly climb up to a height of two and a half meters. However, if you leave it to grow freely without support, it grows like a carpet and forms a dense shrub. You will receive a grown seedling in a pot from us, which you can simply transplant straight into the garden. Care is easy, it doesn't suffer from diseases or pests, and even beginners can easily manage it. During August and September, it gets covered in an abundance of flowers in a gorgeous lavender-blue shade, which react to the ambient temperature and can interestingly fade or darken. The flowers reliably attract bees and are suitable for cutting into bouquets. When handling, remember that the plant is poisonous.

Baptisia comes from North America, belongs to the legume family, and resembles the lupine in appearance. Unlike lupines, however, it does not suffer from fungal diseases and does not taste as good to slugs. In addition to the blue flowers, the large pods are interesting, decorating the plant long after flowering. Native Americans used Baptisia roots to disinfect wounds and reduce fever, and the leaves to dye fabrics. Patience is key with Baptisia; 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 voted Perennial of the Year for the 2019 season. The elegant pure white 'Alba' also has slightly lighter leaves.

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.

Meadow rue will reliably bring extraordinary lightness and delicate structure to any garden. Its original homeland is the mountain plains and edges of thickets in western China, where it naturally grows alongside other tall perennials. Despite its fragile appearance, it is a very resilient plant that thrives best in partial shade or sun, in well-drained loamy and humous soil with regular watering. You will receive an already grown seedling in a pot from us, which you just need to transplant straight into the flowerbed. Once established, it handles even severe frosts dropping below thirty degrees without problems. Moreover, caring for it is so easy that even complete beginners can easily manage it. The plant is avoided by pests and diseases, and it needs no support to reach a height of over one meter. The spectacular look of meadow rue is ensured not only by its tiny pinnate leaves but primarily by the flowers themselves. These grow from mid-summer to autumn in loose panicles on thin, purplish-colored stems. The individual small flowers have a delicate lilac shade with yellow stamens conspicuously protruding from them. In flowerbeds, they provide a beautiful airy lace effect that perfectly complements the heavier and fuller flowers of other perennials. During the long flowering period, bees and other pollinators fondly land on the plant. Although the entire plant is poisonous, it has an irreplaceable place in the garden. If you enjoy creating fresh bouquets, meadow rue will guaranteed please you. Harvest stems full of tiny flowers for the vase, which will add an unusual delicacy to the arrangement and stay fresh in water for about seven days. The plant is not suitable for drying.

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.

The Canon Went toadflax is a delicate-looking perennial with upright, thin stems, originally hailing from the Mediterranean. Even though it looks fragile at first glance, it is a resilient plant that creates wonderful vertical accents in the garden. It loves sunny locations and well-drained, even sandy soil, where it thrives best. It blooms repeatedly throughout the summer until autumn, so it will bring you joy for a really long time. The Canon Went cultivar boasts tiny flowers in a light salmon-pink shade, resembling miniature snapdragons. The leaves are also delicate, linear, and have a grayish-green color. In flower beds, it perfectly complements ornamental grasses or other drought-tolerant perennials, adding lightness and airiness to them. It is also a great magnet for pollinators, especially bees. Although it is a short-lived perennial, it reliably self-seeds in a suitable location, allowing you to enjoy it for many years. If you like to decorate your home, you will be pleased to know it is suitable for cutting and lasts up to 14 days in a vase.

Phlox, also known as garden 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 of the flowers in the inflorescence have bloomed; then it lasts 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 location. Nora Leight attracts attention with creamy variegated leaves, which complement the delicate pinkish-white flowers with a darker eye. Thanks to the light foliage, it can brighten up darker corners of the garden.

Linaria purpurea is a tireless perennial that will brighten up the garden with its purple flower spikes from July to October. It is native to the Mediterranean, thanks to which it perfectly tolerates drought and poorer soils, provided they are well-drained. It forms airy clumps that are suitable for natural-style plantings or gravel beds, where they contrast beautifully with ornamental grasses. Even though individual plants live for only a few years, they reliably maintain themselves through self-seeding, so you do not have to worry about them too much. Toadflax is also very valuable for bees and bumblebees, which visit it abundantly. Thanks to its strong and long stems, it is perfect for cutting and stays fresh in a vase for up to two weeks.

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 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.

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.

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'.