Baptisia Chocolate Chip

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.

Gaura is a clump-forming perennial native to Texas and Louisiana. Here, it behaves more like a short-lived perennial. It combines beautifully with grasses and adds lightness and airiness to flower beds. It is an excellent food source for insects. Tiny flowers resembling small butterflies bloom tirelessly from June until the first frosts. For bouquets, harvest as soon as the first two or three flowers open on the stem. Siskiyou Pink is a beautiful variety with pink-red flowers on slightly arching stems. It is less hardy than the white-flowering varieties. The red-spotted leaves are also interesting.

A short-lived perennial with silvery, softly felted stems and leaves. It blooms for a very long time; a new flower opens every day to replace the previous one. An elegant white variant of the standard species.

In nature, we find it in steppes on dry pastures and stony slopes of Central and Southern Europe. It is a well-known plant used in floristry. Excellently usable in both fresh and dried states. For drying, we select only stems with fully opened flowers. We hang them flowers-down in a dry, airy, and dark place.

This meadow-rue originates from Western China, where it grows on mountain plains and in scrub alongside other tall perennials. It is a spectacular, delicate perennial, ornamental not only for its flowers but also for its tiny pinnate leaves. The flowers grow in loose panicles on thin, purple-coloured stems. The individual florets are very tiny, lilac in colour with prominent yellow stamens. In beds and bouquets, they create an airy, lacy effect. Lasts 7 days in a vase.

Gaura is a clump-forming perennial originally from Texas and Louisiana. Here it behaves more like a short-lived perennial. It combines beautifully with grasses and adds lightness and airiness to flowerbeds. It is excellent pasture for insects. Tiny flowers similar to small butterflies bloom tirelessly from June until the first frosts. Harvest for bouquets immediately as soon as the first two to three flowers open on the stem. Whirling Butterflies blooms with pure white flowers that gradually acquire a pink tinge. Buds are also usually pinkish. Characterized by compact growth and blooms profusely.

Cosmos Cherry Chocolate is a garden cultivar of the original wild species native to Mexico. Due to its striking scent, it is also called chocolate cosmos. Besides the fragrance and unusual coloring, its great advantage is the long flowering period. In our conditions, it will thrive best in a pot on the terrace; we can also sink it, pot and all, into perennial beds and remove it for winter. Cherry Chocolate has the largest flowers of all chocolate cosmos varieties – they can reach up to 7 cm in diameter.

It occurs in almost all mountain regions of Central and Southern Europe on high-altitude meadows and bright clearings. It fits into natural plantings and finds its place in rural foothill gardens with other robust species. It blooms blue and lasts about a week in a vase.

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.

Geums are cute spring perennials with adorable cup-shaped flowers in warm shades. The flowers grow on long branching stems. The petals are often ruffled, and the flowers semi-double. Their clump-forming foliage is also interesting, eventually creating good ground cover. Flowering geums are a great attraction for insects, especially butterflies. We harvest for bouquets as soon as a quarter or half of the flowers on the stem are open. They last 7 days in a vase. Geum rivale is an original native perennial. It grows naturally on the banks of streams and in wet meadows. It has yellowish flowers with a pink tinge, and the calyx is purplish.

An original wild perennial with a large distribution area 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 by runners. By cutting back after the first flowering, we encourage a set of new flowers. For bouquets, we harvest when the florets are fully open. It lasts 10 days in a vase. Summer Pastels is characterized by a changeable and soft range of colors from white and vanilla to salmon, brick red, and bronze.

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. Andrea Atkinson is a tender cultivar of autumn anemone with white petals.

A tall medicinal perennial with decorative, finely divided leaves and a sweet taste and scent similar to anise. It does not form tubers. The delicate, aromatic leaves add an attractive veil-like and bronze smoky effect to a perennial bed. Its flowers are a lure for beneficial insects. It lasts 7–10 days in a vase. Mature umbels with seeds can be dried.

Northern Sea Oats originates from the eastern part of North America, where it grows in light, moist forests. The flat spikelets hang from arched, drooping stems and change color from beige to pink, eventually acquiring a warm copper tone. The leaves are fresh green and turn golden yellow in autumn. Besides being used fresh, it is also well-suited for drying.

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.

Native wild perennial with a large distribution area from Europe to Siberia. Suitable for natural and wild plantings. Grows in meadows and dry grassy places. A very adaptable and undemanding plant, grows in clumps and spreads by runners. Cutting back after the first flowering encourages a new batch of flowers. Harvest for bouquets when the florets are fully open. Lasts 10 days in a vase. The Lachsschönheit cultivar is valued for its perfect transition of tones from salmon-pink to cream.

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, native to North America. It blooms in late summer and captivates with long drooping petals. The spiky flower centers are an irresistible attraction for butterflies. It lasts 7–10 days in a vase. After removing the petals, the stems with the central discs can be dried or used in fresh bouquets as an interesting element.

A very hardy and long-lived perennial with an almost year-round effect. It forms upright clumps, and the flowers attract bees and butterflies. Matrona tolerates rich soil well, provided it is well-drained. It has strong and stable stems.

A versatile perennial usable in rural and modern beds. It also works well in wild natural plantings. Its main charm lies in the cute flowers that appear in late spring, but it is also valuable in beds for its early sprouting leaves. Columbines add airiness and lightness to perennial beds and bouquets. It lasts 7 days in a vase. Black Barlow has double, almost black flowers.

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. The cultivar Bordeaux Barlow has double, distinctively wine-red flowers.

As a basic species, the Guelder rose is our native woody plant. The cultivar Compactum grows into the form of a spherical or semi-spherical shrub and reaches a height of around 120 centimeters. It flowers and fruits abundantly. The inflorescences are up to 10 cm wide, white in color, fruits red. Its wine-red autumn leaf coloring is also interesting. It is also suitable for free-growing hedges; the fruits are an attraction for birds.

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.

The Oriental poppy originates from the Caucasus, Turkey, and Iran, where it grows on rocky slopes and dry meadows. It blooms with large bowl-shaped flowers on tall stems. Like all poppies, for use in bouquets, we harvest them as soon as the buds color up and "crack". Additionally, we briefly (for about 20 seconds) sear the ends of the stems with a flame and immediately place them in cold water. Then they last in a vase for 4 days. The strikingly hairy and large leaves die back shortly after flowering, and the plant must rest until spring to gather strength. A portion of the leaves sprouts again in late summer. Therefore, it is advisable to plant other perennials in close proximity that sprout later and can draw attention to themselves during the poppy's pause. Royal Wedding flowers have white petals with a dark burgundy spot in the center of the flower.

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.

Lemon Queen is a perennial and fully frost-hardy Sunflower cultivar. It grows vigorously but not invasively. It creates firm dense clumps. It blooms from July with pastel sulphur-yellow flowers, which usually have a diameter of 5-8 cm. It looks good in cottage gardens as well as in prairie beds with grasses. Due to its long flowering time, it is very significant for pollinators. It lasts up to 10 days in a vase.

An interesting perennial originally from the Himalayas, where it grows on dry grassy and stony slopes. The white button-like flowers resemble small Strawflowers. It is also effective due to its silver-grey foliage.

A species native to Central Europe found in clearings, damp meadows, and bright forest edges. Usually a biennial or short-lived perennial. In the autumn of the first year, the plant forms a basal rosette of leaves; in the spring, flowering stems grow from them. Further development depends on the site we choose for it. In some places, it survives another season; elsewhere, we must rely on self-seeding or plant new plants. All parts of the foxglove are poisonous. It lasts 6 to 8 days in a vase.

An impressive solitary perennial with a massive, sparsely branched growth type. It produces light yellow-green flowers on long stems resembling Scabious flowers. The contrast between the relatively massive mass of leaves and the airy wire-like stems with small flower heads is very effective. It lasts about 5 days in a vase. Spent inflorescences are also interesting in beds and bouquets.

The Oriental poppy originates from the Caucasus, Turkey, and Iran, where it grows on rocky slopes and dry meadows. It blooms with large bowl-shaped flowers on tall stems. Like all poppies, for use in bouquets, we harvest them as soon as the buds show color and "crack." Additionally, we briefly sear the stem ends with a flame (for about 20 seconds) and immediately place them in cold water. They will then last in a vase for 4 days. The strikingly hairy and large leaves die back shortly after flowering, and the plant must rest until spring to gather strength. Some leaves sprout again in late summer. Therefore, it is advisable to plant other perennials in close proximity that sprout later and can draw attention during the poppy's dormant period. Coral Reef is a variety with salmon-pink flowers and black spots at the base of the petals.

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.