Coneflower Aloha

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 valuable garden perennial, native to North America. The Big Kahuna cultivar blooms with apricot yellow-orange flowers. The spiky and fragrant flower cones are an irresistible attraction for butterflies and are a shade darker than the petals. They last 7–10 days in a vase. After removing the petals, the stems with the central cones can be dried or used in fresh bouquets as an interesting feature.

A beautiful, delicate perennial originating from North America. The striking, relatively large yet delicate flowers blend beautifully with a rich, fluffy cloud of tiny leaves. It forms compact mounds and is ideal for the front of flowerbeds. We classify Coreopsis as naturally short-lived perennials. Their lifespan can be partially influenced by choosing a suitable location and care during the season. Full Moon is a taller and more vigorous variant of the proven variety Moonbeam. Like the latter, it has light yellow flowers that combine very well with the colors of other perennials and bloom repeatedly for many weeks. It lasts about a week in a vase.

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. The Cassis cultivar has flowers colored in shades from cherry-red to burgundy.

Lavenders are a must for every sunny herb garden. We classify them as sub-shrubs, and they are valuable for gardens due to their winter habit. They add not only color and structure to flower beds but also an unmistakable fragrance. They will look good with lower-growing drought-loving grasses and perennials. Rosea blooms a sweet pink.

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.

A lesser-known species of Yarrow has dark green glossy serrated leaves that remain attractive throughout the growing season, and a sweet pink color of flowers that are larger than the flowers of common Yarrow. It lasts 10 days in a vase.

Rudbeckia, also known as coneflowers, originates from North America; they are robust and abundantly blooming perennials of late summer and autumn. They are suitable for prairie plantings with tall grasses as well as for cottage gardens. The central disks look very effective even after flowering and decorate perennial beds throughout the winter. Harvest for the vase as soon as they bloom. Vase life is 7 to 10 days. We can also use the dry central disks. Goldsturm is a reliable and long-proven cultivar. It has bright golden-yellow flowers with dark centers.

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.

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 beautiful, though rather short-lived perennial, ideal for steppe areas together with delicate drought-loving grasses and perennials. Harvest for bouquets as soon as approximately half of the flowers in the inflorescence are open. It lasts about 5 days in a vase. An exceptional cultivar with flowers in peach and apricot tones, which fade to an elegant antique pink as they finish blooming.

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.

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.

A native 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 via runners. Cutting back after the first flowering encourages a new batch of flowers. Harvest for bouquets when the florets are fully open. They last 10 days in a vase. Yarrow 'Belle Epoque' has cherry-red flowers with vanilla centers, gradually fading to a more muted pink.

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. Primavera blooms with larger (about 40 mm) pink-purple flowers. Vase life is 10 days.

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, as early as late winter and the beginning of spring. They are suitable for vases only after conspicuous seed pods form in the center of the flower and the flower matures. Before that, they tend to wilt and the stems cannot hold the flower in an upright position. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Hellebore Double Ellen Yellow Spotted has light yellow-green semi-double flowers with striking, dark wine-red spotting.

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.

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. 'Lorelei' has semi-double flowers in a tender light pink tone.

An interesting tuberous perennial with flowers that bloom from the top. This peculiarity even gave it its second Czech name – 'shorakvět' (top-flower). Most plants actually bloom the opposite way, from the bottom up. The purple flowers of a distinctive shape attract bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. Also interesting for bouquets.

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.

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.

Cupid's dart is a medium-tall short-lived perennial. It originates from the Mediterranean and is therefore suitable for areas with milder winters. Attractive with blue flowers that resemble chicory. The unopened flower buds and silvery spent inflorescences are also nice. It is also suitable for drying. Fresh, it lasts 7 days in a vase.

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. The semi-double flowers of the hellebore Double Ellen Picotee color into white and light pink with purple-burgundy edging.

A beautiful although rather short-lived perennial, ideal for steppe areas together with fine drought-tolerant grasses and perennials. We harvest it for bouquets as soon as approximately half of the flowers in the inflorescence are open. Lasts about 5 days in a vase. A beautiful cultivar with flowers in shades of purple and pink.

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.

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. Red Knight charms in flower beds with slender high stems that carry dark wine-colored flowers. It is suitable for naturally designed sunny to semi-shady beds and meadow bouquets.

A perennial that finds its application in naturally conceived steppe and gravel beds. It attracts bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. It is floristically valuable for its flowers with conspicuous bracts, which are also perfect for drying. The roots of some species were formerly eaten candied as sweets in England and France and added to pastries and jellies. In folk medicine, it was used, among other things, as an aphrodisiac, hence its folk name "man's fidelity" [eryngo]. Glitter Blue was bred for a rich set of flowers and even more intense color.

Helenium originates from North America, where it occurs on damp meadows. It grows upright and in clumps. The inflorescences form small "suns" with a diameter of 5 cm. Hence their scientific name Helenium. A great perennial for cutting with a long durability of up to 14 days. Helena Red Shades blooms in shades from red to copper.

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.