White Wood Aster Eastern Star

Brunnera is a long-lived perennial originally from the mountain meadows and forests of the Caucasus. It is interesting not only when in bloom. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, and light green. They form a contrasting background for the delicate and tiny flowers that appear above the carpet of leaves from April to May. It sprouts early and dies back late, making it a valuable groundcover perennial.

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 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'.

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.

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 emit a minty-spicy fragrance. The thyme-like flowers attract bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. It will look good among roses as well as in natural-style steppe beds, perhaps with lower grasses.

Delicate tiny leaves and well-branched long stems with a large number of tiny star-shaped flowers make this aster an ideal autumn cut flower. In flower beds, it serves as a fluffy, delicate filler and brightens up the garden after summer perennials have finished flowering. It looks good in combination with roses as well as in wild plantings with grasses. Important for bees and butterflies as the last pasture before winter. It lasts 7 to 10 days in a vase. 'Pink Cloud' blooms with a large number of tiny pink flowers with yellow centers.

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.

Like Lavender, Hyssop is considered a low woody subshrub. It works well in similar planting schemes, with roses or even in steppe-style gravel beds. It can be used in the kitchen and as a medicinal plant. A huge attraction for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. Sweet pink flowers.

Originally Mediterranean yet undemanding plants with an airy, shrub-like structure. Among perennials, it has unrivaled the longest flowering period. The individual tiny flowers are clustered in convex panicles. They are a magnet for bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbird hawk-moths. For bouquets, use stems with buds as well as freshly bloomed ones. They last about 7 days in a vase. Rosato Rose Pink has bright pink flowers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This species of knotweed originates from the Himalayas and China, where it grows in scrub and on mountain meadows along streams at high altitudes. It forms sturdy clumps of fresh green, pointed leaves. Above them, upright, narrow, candle-like inflorescences composed of individual tiny flowers appear from summer onwards. It is a very popular perennial, recently bred into many cultivars and used in Western Europe in larger park and garden landscaping. It excels with a long flowering period in late summer and good durability in a vase. It was voted Perennial of the Season 2023 by the Czech Perennials Association. The white variety Alba stands out particularly well against a darker background and has long-lasting flowers.

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 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.

Hellebores are evergreen perennials that form slowly spreading clumps of leathery, dark green leaves. The stems usually bear four to five flowers. They bloom very early, as early as 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 cannot hold the flower in an upright position. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Double Ellen White is an almost pure white, double-flowered hellebore. The petals are slightly wavy and the bottom row of petals is lightly tinged with green.

Perennials with palmately divided leaves and delicate flowers. In nature, we find them in damp meadows or light woodlands. They grow in clumps. Upright stems suitable for cutting branch out and bear tiny umbels of flowers. These are further emphasized around the perimeter by jagged bracts in the color of the flower with translucent green. Lasts 10–14 days in a vase.

Forms a delicate, airy bush. Compared to Aster ericoides, the flowers are less numerous, placed singly at the ends of branch tips, which gives the plant an airy effect. The plant has a very delicate appearance. It is beautiful in combination with other late asters and ornamental grasses. Healthy and long-blooming, the pink flower is slightly larger than that of Aster ericoides. Lasts 7 to 10 days in a vase.

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.

Perovskia are sparsely branched subshrubs, originating from areas ranging from Afghanistan to Tibet. They grow on open, sunny, rocky, and stony sites. Their white-felted shoots and grayish aromatic leaves are striking. They are suitable for sunny flowerbeds alongside other drought-loving perennials, where they create interesting structures even in the winter months. Blue Spire is an aromatic variety with fine gray-green foliage and striking airy medium-blue flowers.

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. The white variety White Ladies is large-flowered, profusely blooming, and of taller growth.

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.

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 remains interesting long after flowering. Alba is a pure white cultivar.

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.

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.

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. Cerise Queen has deep pink to purple-pink flowers that gradually fade to light pink.

Knautia macedonica is a profusely and long-blooming undemanding perennial. Its wild form originates from the Balkans, where it grows on meadows and in scrublands. In flower beds, it charms with slender high stems that carry pastel wine and pink flowers. It is suitable for naturally designed sunny to semi-shady beds and meadow bouquets.