Switchgrass

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.

Knautia Melton Pastels is an abundantly and long-blooming, undemanding perennial with which you can easily conjure up a piece of wild nature right behind your house. The original species has its roots in the Balkans, where it grows wildly in sun-drenched thickets and on dry meadows. In flowerbeds, it immediately draws attention with its slender, tall stems. In the Melton Pastels cultivar, from early summer until autumn, they carry a flood of small flowers in pastel pink and burgundy tones. A healthy seedling in a pot will arrive at your home. Once you transplant it in the sun or partial shade with well-drained soil, it will quickly reward you with vigorous growth. It stands out best when you plant about five plants per square meter, with a spacing of half a meter from each other. Care for knautia is completely undemanding; it playfully survives even severe frosts and does not require complex fertilizing. Because it grows up to a meter in height, we recommend providing it with unobtrusive support. Although it belongs among short-lived perennials, nature designed it so that it readily self-seeds without any problems. For lovers of floral decorations, this plant is a literal treasure. The stems are long and sturdy, so they look completely natural in vases and give bouquets a meadow touch. They also apply excellently in the creation of dried arrangements, bringing interesting structure to them. Although it is a strong plant suitable for beginners, a minor ailment can be powdery mildew or aphids, which you just need to catch in time.

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.

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.

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, native to North America. The spiky central discs are an irresistible attraction for butterflies. They last 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 feature. Flowers in shades of yellow.

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.

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.

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.

Quaking grass 'Tinkerbell' is an undemanding native grass whose delicate appearance will enchant in any natural garden. It naturally grows in drier meadows across Europe, where it seeks poorer and well-drained soils. It easily handles less nutritious substrates, does not suffer from diseases, and effortlessly survives severe frosts. It forms dense green clumps from which thin stalks carrying unmistakable inflorescences sprout from May to July. The tiny spikelets in the shape of small plump hearts play with yellow and brown tones. They are famous for their trembling at the slightest breeze, which adds dynamics and lightness to flower beds. The compact 'Tinkerbell' variety grows to a height of fifty centimeters and behaves as a short-lived perennial. It perfectly complements drought-tolerant perennials in full sun. It remains very attractive until August, when it is good to trim it after blooming. For florists, it is an absolute treasure. The stalks are beautiful in fresh summer bouquets and are perfectly suited for drying, retaining their shape long-term in floristry arrangements.

A classic perennial for early summer bouquets and cottage gardens. For bouquets, harvest flowers with firm, smooth central disks. They then last 7–10 days in a vase. Polaris is a more vigorous garden form. It can be propagated by sowing.

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.

Sea holly is an indispensable perennial for all lovers of naturally styled gardens. It earned its folk name - male fidelity - in times when it was used in herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac, and its roots were even candied as sweets in France and England. Today, however, you will appreciate it mainly for its low maintenance and unique appearance. Its home is on sunny hillsides and dry meadows, so even in our gardens, it will welcome well-drained, even poorer sandy soil and full sun. It produces upright, sturdy stems topped with blue-purple flowers with prickly bracts, which bring interesting structure and a silvery touch to the flowerbeds. It is literally a magnetic plant for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, who find a rich food source on it. Floristically, it is extremely valuable, because its flowers are perfectly suited for cutting as well as drying for winter decorations. If you decide not to harvest it, feel free to leave it in the flowerbed all winter. Its silhouette covered in hoarfrost creates a wonderful winter effect. Although it is a short-lived perennial, in a suitable location it reliably self-seeds, so you will enjoy its beauty for many years.

Russian sage will bring a touch of sunny steppes to the garden and places almost no demands on care. These sparsely branched subshrubs originally come from the harsh, rocky regions from Afghanistan to Tibet, where they grow on open plains bathed in sun. Due to its origin, it revels in full sun and in poor, well-drained sandy soil with minimal moisture. You will receive from us a well-rooted seedling in a pot, which you just need to transplant directly to the chosen spot in the flowerbed. It does not need support, common pests and diseases avoid it, and it will survive frosts down to minus twenty-eight degrees. It grows up to one hundred and twenty centimeters and forms conspicuous white-felted shoots with silvery-gray leaves. Blue Spire is an aromatic variety with airy, medium blue flowers that act as an attraction for bees and butterflies. Russian sage stands out next to drought-tolerant perennials. The flowers are suitable for both cutting and drying into winter arrangements. Moreover, the silvery stems will ensure a beautiful winter effect in the flowerbed.

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. The faassenii group is characterized by vigorous upright growth, fine foliage, and long stems suitable for cutting. Six Hills Giant has a slightly lighter flower color than Walker's Low. It grows in airy clumps and blooms very profusely. Long stems suitable for cutting.

Oriental poppy Royal Wedding is an unmissable perennial that brings true elegance to the spring garden. It originally comes from the harsher conditions of the Caucasus, Turkey, and Iran, where it grows on sunny rocky slopes and dry meadows. Because of this, it is exceptionally resilient, easily handling frosts down to minus forty degrees, and can do without complex care. You will receive a grown seedling in a pot from us, which you just need to transplant to a sunny location with well-drained loamy soil. The cultivar Royal Wedding will reward you in May and June with huge bowl-shaped flowers with pure white petals, which hide a distinct dark burgundy spot in their center. Moreover, these enchanting flowers reliably attract pollinators from far and wide. It is typical for Oriental poppies that their strikingly fuzzy green leaves die back soon after flowering. The plant takes a break over the warmest summer to gather strength, and a smaller portion of the leaves often sprouts again only at the end of summer. Therefore, it is ideal to plant the poppy in the flower bed in close proximity to other perennials that sprout slightly later and naturally fill the empty space left by the resting poppy. It avoids diseases and needs no support, reaching a height of around sixty to eighty centimeters. Just watch out for field voles, which might develop a taste for its fleshy roots. Otherwise, it is a long-lived plant that even a complete beginner can handle without worries. Given that the plant is poisonous, it is naturally not intended for consumption. The giant white flowers are also a great attraction for lovers of cut flowers, although they require a little trick. Similar to other poppies, the stems need to be harvested exactly at the moment when the buds begin to color and slightly crack. Right after cutting, we sear the ends of the stems with a flame for about twenty seconds to prevent sap leakage, and then we put them into cold water. Thanks to this procedure, they will stay beautiful for about four days in a vase and add amazing lightness to bouquets. Although these delicate flowers are not suitable for drying, they simply have no competition in fresh spring bouquets.

Meadow sage occurs here primarily in warmer regions, especially in southern Moravia and northern and central Bohemia. It grows on sunny meadows and hillsides and along paths. Fragrant leaves form a basal rosette, from which several less leafy branched stems grow. The inflorescences are composed of striking bilabiate flowers, which are a great attraction for bees and bumblebees. Rose Rhapsody has light pink flowers.

Showy stonecrop is one of the longest-living and hardiest perennials you can treat your garden to. It originally comes from the Far East, where it colonizes sunny and dry slopes. For successful cultivation, you simply need to find it a spot in direct sun with well-drained sandy soil. The 'Matrona' cultivar catches the eye at first glance with its fleshy, grayish-green leaves with a burgundy tinge and sturdy stems that do not break and need no support. We will deliver a mature potted seedling that you can easily transplant straight into the flowerbed after unpacking. We recommend planting five to seven plants per square meter; they will soon join into a solid stand around seventy centimeters tall. From August to October, it will then delight you with rich, flat inflorescences in an old rose color. It is an ideal choice for those looking for beauty without unnecessary effort. This stonecrop easily survives harsh winters with frosts dropping to minus twenty-eight degrees, and pests and diseases avoid it. The 'Matrona' variety differs from others in that it will reliably grow even in more nutritious soil, provided it is not waterlogged. In perennial compositions, it creates a beautiful contrast next to delicate ornamental grasses and other autumn flowers. During sunny days, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators constantly take turns over its flowers. You can boldly use the sturdy stems with pink umbels for cutting. They stay fresh in a vase for quite a long time and will bring a touch of the slowly ending summer into your home. It might surprise you that the leaves of this stonecrop are edible and can be used to garnish dishes. If you decide not to cut the plant back in the autumn, you will get a perfect structure in the flowerbed that will last all winter. Especially when the old flowers are covered in frost, they provide a breathtaking spectacle right until the spring months.

Woodland sage 'Mainacht' is an aromatic perennial originating from the sunny steppes and dry meadows of Central and Eastern Europe. It is a very resilient and undemanding plant that thrives best here in full sun in well-drained and poorer soil. From the supplied grown seedling, a sturdy clump reaching a height of about half a meter will quickly grow. In flower beds, it stands out best when planted in larger groups, for example as a traditional companion to roses or in mixed drought-tolerant plantings with ornamental grasses. The 'Mainacht' cultivar is popular for its striking dark violet-blue flowers, which appear as early as May and June. If you cut it back after the first bloom, it will willingly bloom again at the end of August. During flowering, the sage is literally a magnet for bees and butterflies. It is an ideal choice for beginners, needs no support, and does not suffer from diseases. It is perfectly suited for cutting into fresh bouquets, where its stems stay fresh for approximately seven days. A surprising bonus is that the fragrant flowers are edible.

Catananche caerulea, commonly known as Cupid's dart, is a charming plant that will win you over with its lightness and airiness. Its scientific name refers to ancient Greek legends, according to which it was used in love potions; today, however, you will appreciate it more for its undemanding nature and unique appearance. It is excellently suited for natural-style gardens, gravel beds, and drought-tolerant plantings, where it beautifully complements other perennials or ornamental grasses. It grows up to ninety centimeters tall and, despite its height, needs no support. The flowers have a lavender-blue color with a darker center and toothed petals at the ends. They bloom gradually from June to September. Cupid's dart loves drought and heat, but on the contrary, it cannot stand winter dampness, which harms it more than frost. If you provide it with a well-drained spot, it will survive temperatures down to -18 °C. It is a rewarding plant for beginner growers and experienced florists alike. Fresh flowers last a week in a vase, but they will bring you the most joy when dried. Harvest them fully open in dry weather and hang them upside down. They will keep their shape and remind you of summer all winter long.

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.

Fluffy deep pink clouds of flowers are the main distinguishing feature of this meadowsweet. The 'Kahome' cultivar is a compact perennial reaching a height of around 40 to 50 centimeters, making it a great addition to the foreground of damper flowerbeds. The entire plant, including the dark green leaves, smells pleasant, and the flowers also spread an irresistible honey aroma around them. It is a rewarding and low-maintenance plant suitable even for beginners, you just need to keep in mind that it requires plenty of moisture for its happy growth. It is perfectly suited for waterlogged parts of gardens and the edges of ponds, where it naturally thrives. You can also use the inflorescences in summer bouquets; they will stay fresh 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'.

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.

Delicate decorative, long-lived shade-loving perennials with pinnate leaves and magnificent feathery inflorescences. They originate primarily from East Asia, but also from eastern North America. They look best in large-scale plantings. Due to relatively late sprouting, it is good to combine them with early-flowering bulbs. They last 4–10 days in a vase. We harvest as soon as half of the inflorescence is in bloom. They are very sensitive to ethylene released from ripening fruit. Europa blooms light pink.

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.

These autumn asters were bred specifically for florist use. They are characterized by strong, straight, and upright stems and an exceptionally abundant set of flowers. Pearla is a white variety with a tiny flower about fifteen millimeters in size. Vase life is 10 days.

It originates from the northeastern USA and southern Canada, where it grows in damp areas, scrublands, and on coasts. It crosses very willingly with other aster species, resulting in an inexhaustible number of varieties. Unlike New England asters, they do not close their flowers at night or during unfavorable weather, making them perfect for cutting into vases. We must keep in mind their susceptibility to mildew, which can be prevented by choosing a suitable location. They last 7 to 10 days in a vase. Fellowship is large-flowered, profusely blooming, and of taller growth. The pink-colored flowers with yellow centers have a diameter of up to 3 cm.