Aster ageratoides Starshine

If you are looking for a delicate and long-blooming plant for full sun, whorled tickseed is a great choice. The basic species originates from North America, and here it thrives best in a sunny spot and well-drained, rather drier loamy soil. Although it is a short-lived perennial, with the right care and a well-chosen location, it can bring joy for several years. A distinctive feature of this species is its rich foliage of very tiny leaves, which form low, about forty-centimeter-tall bushes. After transplanting from the pot, the mature seedling is perfectly suited for the edges of flower beds or mixed drought-tolerant compositions, where it beautifully softens the overall look. In addition, the plant is fully frost-hardy, requires no special care, and is free from diseases. The 'Moonbeam' variety stands out with countless smaller, creamy-yellow flowers. These appear in mid-summer and continue to decorate the garden until early autumn, providing rich pasture for pollinators. You can easily cut the delicate stems with flowers to bring home. They will add an informal meadow touch to bouquets and will maintain their freshness in a vase for about seven days.

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'.

Alchemilla mollis, known as lady's mantle, is an indispensable perennial for anyone who wants to bring harmony and softness to the garden. Its home is the moister environments of mountain meadows and light forests, making it a very adaptable plant that will survive even severe frosts without problems in our climate. The 'Irish Silk' cultivar is prized for its vitality and abundant blooming, where clouds of tiny, yellow-green flowers float above clumps of gray-green leaves. It is precisely this neutral color that can work wonders in a flower bed – it softens overly sharp contrasts between other flowers and beautifully unifies the entire composition. Besides its ornamental function, lady's mantle also has practical uses. Thanks to its clumping growth and ability to quickly fill in, it is ideal for edging pathways or as an underplanting beneath taller shrubs and roses. Water droplets catch on its leaves, creating a magical spectacle in the garden. If you enjoy making bouquets, you will love lady's mantle as versatile filler greenery that matches almost anything. It will last beautiful for about ten days in a vase, and its inflorescences can also be easily dried without losing too much of their color or shape. Moreover, it is a magnet for pollinators, and its young leaves are even edible, so it also finds use in a natural kitchen.

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, originally from North America. It blooms in summer with dark purple-pink flowers. The spiky flower discs are an irresistible lure for butterflies. Lasts 7–10 days in a vase. After plucking the petals, the stems with the central discs can be dried or used in fresh bouquets as an interesting element. Rubinstern is very similar to the Magnus cultivar; the petals are darker and firmer. As they fade, they gradually pale and droop downwards.

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.

Aster Twilight. A tender beauty for partial shade. It willingly forms dense covers, and even conditions unfavorable for many other species do not discourage it. It does not mind competition from tree roots, or even drought. It is a hybrid of original North American species and is newly classified by botanists in the genus Eurybia. However, it is often offered in nurseries under the name Aster macrophyllus. Either way, in this seemingly delicate plant, gardeners gain a tough ally in the fight against weeds in difficult places.

Originally a native perennial from wet meadows. The delicate ragged flowers of the ragged robin add lightness and airiness to plantings. It fits perfectly into plantings around ponds and in damper places in the garden. It is suitable for naturalistic gardens and compositions. We can also use it well for cutting for vases.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A beautiful, delicate woodland grass with evergreen overwintering leaves and interesting white inflorescences. An interesting element for spring beds. The flowers are suitable for fresh bouquets as well as for drying.

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.

The charming gaura comes from the sun-drenched plains of Texas and Louisiana and represents exactly the plant that can liven up any drought-tolerant planting. It is a naturally profusely blooming perennial that delights in full sun and well-drained, sandy, and nutrient-poor soil. You will receive from us an already grown seedling in a pot, which will quickly form a vigorous clump after being transplanted into the garden. From early summer until late autumn, it will delight you with a flood of tiny flowers in pure white and delicate pink tones. The flowers gently sway in the breeze and with their appearance resemble a flock of tiny butterflies, which also really like to land on the plant, as do bees and bumblebees. Although gaura is known as a short-lived perennial, thanks to its willing self-seeding, it will last for many years in your garden. Caring for it is completely undemanding, it is avoided by most diseases and pests, and it can handle frosts down to eighteen degrees below zero without any problems. It is often used in mixed borders, where it beautifully softens the overall impression, and perfectly matches various types of ornamental grasses. The Summer Breeze variety is popular for its strong and healthy growth as well as its exceptionally generous set of flowers, which grow to about one meter. If you like to create your own bouquets, do not hesitate to cut gaura for a vase. Harvesting is best done the moment the first small flowers on the stem begin to open. These delicate flowers are not suitable for drying into dried arrangements, but they will beautifully lighten up fresh bouquets.

Lesser calamint White Cloud is an undemanding and modest perennial that reliably perfumes any sunny garden. It naturally grows on the sunny and dry slopes of Southern Europe, which is why it will welcome direct sun here too, along with well-drained, even poorer sandy or loamy soil. It handles winter without trouble, tolerating frosts down to minus twenty-three degrees. You will receive a grown seedling in a pot from us, which you just need to transplant straight into the flowerbed, where it will very soon form a compact, airy small shrub reaching a height of forty centimeters. Even complete beginners can easily handle growing it, as the plant does not suffer from diseases or pests. From July to September, it blooms with an incredible number of tiny white flowers that emit a pleasant minty-spicy scent. The flowers, resembling thyme, function as a huge magnet for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. The entire plant is edible and will perfectly garnish summer dishes. In the garden, it will perfectly complement roses or steppe flowerbeds with lower grasses. Furthermore, you can cut the flowers for smaller fresh bouquets, adding lightness and a fine airy structure to them in a vase.

Kalimeris originates from East Asia, where it grows in open, light forests and meadows. It forms firm upright clumps; it is a healthy and very long-flowering perennial. Its blooms resemble autumn China asters, and it complements them perfectly in beds, as it begins blooming as early as June and is interesting even after flowering. Madiva has white flowers with a lilac tinge.

It creates a delicate airy bush. Compared to Aster ericoides, the flowers are less numerous, placed individually at the ends of branchlets, which gives this perennial an effect of airiness. The plant gives a very delicate impression. It is beautiful in combination with other late asters and ornamental grasses. Monte Cassino is characterized by very late flowering, so we can enjoy its flowers even in November, often together with the first snowflakes. It lasts 7 to 10 days in a vase.

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.

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.

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.

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. Anemone 'Robustissima' is a proven, vital, vigorous, and richly flowering species bred in 1900. It forms strong clumps and blooms with light pink, large flowers in late summer to early autumn. 'Robustissima' is, as the name suggests, one of the most resilient autumn Anemones and spreads very well and vigorously.

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.

The largeleaf brunnera comes from the moist mountain forests of the Caucasus, where it forms dense undergrowth. It is an ideal perennial for shady and semi-shady corners of your garden, where it will thrive in humus-rich, moist soil. It resembles classic forget-me-nots in appearance, but don't be fooled, its leaves are much larger, heart-shaped, and rough to the touch. Thanks to them, it acts as a great groundcover plant that sprouts early in the spring and reliably covers bare soil with its leaves until late autumn. It thus forms a natural contrasting background for the delicate, tiny flowers. Tiny sky-blue flowers appear in April, May, and June, creating a beautiful delicate veil over the green carpet of leaves. The flower clusters are also suitable for cutting into spring hand-tied bouquets, where they look very tender. Just watch out for snails and slugs, who like to feast on the juicy leaves of the brunnera, so it's a good idea to check the plants regularly. It is a long-lived and hardy perennial that handles severe frosts without problems and will bring you joy in one place for many years.

Feather grass 'Allgäu' is a reliable ornamental grass that will bring lightness and constant movement to the garden. As a native species, it grows on dry, sunny slopes in Central Europe. Thanks to its origin, it is extremely resilient, loves full sun, and well-drained sandy or loamy soil. It tolerates drought excellently, and even a beginner can easily manage its cultivation. You can simply transplant our grown seedling into your flower bed, and soon you will delight in dense clumps of green leaves. These grow 60 to 80 centimeters tall and require a space of 70 centimeters around them. From June to September, it forms creamy and silver inflorescences changing into beige tones. Feather grass beautifully complements drought-loving perennials and readily self-seeds in a suitable location. The long stalks are excellent for cutting into vases and drying for decorations. It avoids diseases and pests and withstands frosts down to -28 °C. Do not cut it before winter, as the frosted stalks create a wonderful winter effect.

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.

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.

The 'Nora Barlow' columbine variety is a historical gem, discovered in Cambridge in the 1980s by the granddaughter of the famous Charles Darwin. This unique plant is characterized by non-traditional flowers, whose coloration smoothly transitions from dusty pink through white to delicate greenish tones. Naturally, columbines occur in light forests, so they are best suited to a partially shaded location with well-draining loamy soil full of humus. They are versatile flowers suitable for rustic cottage gardens as well as natural compositions. Their charm lies not only in the flowers attracting bees but also in the early-sprouting green leaves. Beginners can handle their cultivation, the plants survive even extreme frosts, and they willingly self-seed in the garden. Just remember that columbine is poisonous, and it is good to occasionally check it for aphids, slugs, or powdery mildew. The stems blooming during May and June will add lightness to the flowerbeds. They are ideal for cutting, bring joy in a vase for about seven days, and serve beautifully for drying as well.

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. Nepeta racemosa naturally grows on dry meadows and rocky, stony slopes from the Caucasus to Central Asia. It has aromatic grey-green leaves and forms a tufted semi-spherical bush. Walker’s Low got its name after an Irish estate where it was bred in 1970. It has the most intense blue-violet flower coloration.