Geranium Gravetye

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, native to North America. Its spiky flower heads are an irresistible magnet for butterflies. Lasts 7–10 days in a vase. After the petals are picked, the stems with the central cones can be dried or used as an interesting element in fresh bouquets. 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 areas. A very adaptable and undemanding plant, it grows in clumps and spreads by runners. Pruning after the first bloom will encourage new flowers. For bouquets, harvest when the florets are fully open. It lasts 10 days in a vase. Terracotta features ochre, shades of orange and yellow, and grey-green leaves.

Catmints are ideal companions for roses, suitable for natural-style gardens and, the smaller varieties, for window boxes and pots. Some of them are an irresistible attraction for cats, due to the hallucinogen nepetalactone. This should be present in the highest degree in the species Nepeta cataria. Conversely, lemon-scented catmints reportedly do not attract cats. The botanical name Nepeta probably comes from the ancient Etruscan city of Nepet - Nepi in today's Italian province of Viterbo, where the plant was once cultivated. The faassenii group is characterized by vigorous upright growth, delicate foliage, and long stems suitable for cutting. 'Walker's Low' got its name from the Irish estate where it was bred in 1970. It has the most intense blue-purple flower coloration.

Lady's mantle naturally grows in mountain pastures and meadows, and in mixed forests. It is ornamental both in 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 dew drops that appear in the leaf fans. Valuable for florists for its abundance of tiny greenish-yellow flowers. Important in beds for its ground-covering nature. It lasts 10 days in a vase.

Perovskia are sparsely branched subshrubs, native to regions from Afghanistan to Tibet. They grow in open, sunny, rocky and stony habitats. Their striking features are their white felted shoots and greyish aromatic leaves. They are suitable for sunny beds with other drought-tolerant perennials, where they create interesting structures even in winter months. Little Spire is a smaller cultivar also suitable for pots with a soil volume of 7 liters or more.

Spotted Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum) in its original form comes from the northeastern regions of America. There, it grows in sparse, light forests. In the garden, therefore, it will thrive in beds under taller shrubs, in the company of naturally woodland perennials and grasses. The cultivar Chatto has delicate pink flowers, and its rich green leaves are deeply incised and palmately divided.

Oxford Cranesbill is a vigorously growing perennial suitable for creating dense stands. It is an ideal plant for naturalistic gardens. It tolerates partial shade among trees and shrubs well. The cultivar Claridge Druce is for its energetic growth suitable for use in larger areas. Its flowers are pink with delicate purple veins.

A versatile perennial suitable for both country and modern flower beds. It also thrives in wild natural plantings. Its main charm lies in the adorable 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. Lasts 7 days in a vase. Blue Barlow has full blue-violet flowers like the original species.

Hellebores are evergreen perennials that form slowly spreading clumps of leathery, dark green leaves. Stems typically bear four to five flowers. They bloom very early, in late winter and early spring. They are suitable for vases only after prominent 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 upright. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Double Ellen White is an almost pure white, double-flowered hellebore. Its petals are slightly wavy, and the lower row of petals is subtly tinted green.

Gaura is a clump-forming perennial native to Texas and Louisiana. Here, it tends to behave more like a short-lived perennial. It combines beautifully with grasses, adding lightness and airiness to flower beds. It's an excellent food source for insects. Tiny, butterfly-like flowers bloom tirelessly from June until the first frosts. For bouquets, harvest as soon as the first two or three flowers open on the stem. Summer Breeze has an abundant display of white and pink flowers. It is robust and resilient.

It forms a delicate airy shrub. Compared to Aster ericoides, the flowers are less numerous, placed individually at the ends of the branches, 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-flowering, the pink flower is slightly larger than that of Aster ericoides. It lasts 7 to 10 days in a vase.

A relatively short-lived, biennial to perennial plant with an enchanting fragrance and a long flowering period. A beautiful addition to rose beds, also suitable for country-style plantings. It can be used as undergrowth beneath taller shrubs and trees. It smells noticeably more fragrant in the evening and at night, attracting night moths. For cutting, harvest as soon as the first few flowers open. Stems can grow a little more even after cutting, so factor this in when creating arrangements. Lasts 5 to 7 days in a vase.

Oregano is an ancient medicinal plant that, in modern gardens, functions perfectly as a reliable partner in drought-tolerant perennial communities. Its culinary use is widely known and Italian cuisine lovers especially cannot do without it. In aromatherapy, it is considered the essence of good mood and harmony. The 'Hot and Spicy' cultivar is known for its intense spicy flavor. It will also attract bees and butterflies to your herb garden.

Lupines are striking with their unmistakable flowers and decorative compound leaves. Naturally, they are rather short-lived perennials, with a lifespan typically around five years. They are valued for their use as cut flowers and as a pasture for bees. A beautiful lupine with bicolored flowers: pink with creamy white.

A perennial grass native to the North American prairies. Switchgrass is very adaptable and long-lived. It provides clear structure to beds while also acting as a softening element, especially after its veil-like flowers appear above the clumps of leaves. The Squaw cultivar immediately captivates with its wine-red colored leaves and brownish-pink flowers.

A beautiful delicate perennial originating from North America. Striking, relatively large but delicate flowers harmonize beautifully with a rich fluffy cloud of tiny leaves. They form compact bushes and are ideal for the foreground of beds. Coreopsis are naturally short-lived perennials. Their lifespan can be partially influenced by choosing a suitable location and care throughout the season. The 'Moonbeam' cultivar blooms with a large number of light yellow flowers with darker centers. It lasts about a week in a vase.

A valuable garden and medicinal perennial, native to North America. The spiky flower cones are an irresistible magnet for butterflies. They last 7–10 days in a vase. After the petals are picked, the stems with the central cones can be dried or used in fresh bouquets as an interesting element. White Swan blooms with milky white flowers with brown-orange centers. The petals are not spread out completely horizontally; they bend slightly downwards.

A very hardy and long-lived perennial with an almost year-round effect. It forms upright clumps, and its flowers attract bees and butterflies. 'Herbstrfreude' is one of the most resilient and robust varieties, perfectly suited for cutting. It's also easy to grow in a pot.

Sneezeweed (Helenium) is a hardy, profusely flowering perennial that brightens the garden with yellow flowers all summer long until early autumn. Originally from North America, its cultivation has a long tradition in Europe and it often appears in rustic 'grandmother's' gardens. It will look equally good in modern arrangements with tall grasses. The Asahi cultivar is one of the shorter sneezeweeds. It has smaller, golden-yellow, double flowers. It is suitable for cutting into bouquets, although single flowers have a longer vase life. The vase life can be extended by removing uncolored side buds.

Delphiniums are a classic and dominant presence among garden perennials. We often see them alongside roses and peonies. To truly stand out, they need ample space and regular fertilization. We can enjoy their beauty in flower beds, bouquets, and even try drying them, as the flowers retain their rich color well. They last 7 days in a vase and are sensitive to ethylene released from ripening fruit.

Rudbékie, jinak také třapatky, pochází ze Severní Ameriky, jsou to robustní a bohatě kvetoucí trvalky pozdního léta a podzimu. Hodí se pro prérijní výsadby s vysokými trávami i do venkovských zahrádek k chalupám. Středové terče i po odkvětu vypadají velmi efektně a zdobí trvalkové záhony i přes zimu. Do vázy sklízíme, hned jakmile vykvetou. Výdrž ve váze je 7 až 10 dní. Můžeme používat i suché středové terče. Květy má jasně zlatožluté s tmavými terči. Je vyšší než známá rudbékie Goldsturm a také snáší o něco více sucha.

Anemones belong to the same family as buttercups. With their elegant flowers on long, slender stems, they can brighten and enliven late summer and autumn beds. They stand out against a darker background of shrub groups and will also be grateful for their partial shade. The Czech Perennial Society chose autumn anemones as the perennial of the season for 2022. They last 7 days in a vase. This is a double-flowered historical variety cultivated since 1902. The flower is full, purplish-pink, and the individual petals are strikingly narrower than other anemones.

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, at the end of winter and beginning of spring. They can be used in a vase 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 upright. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Helleborus Pretty Ellen Red has simple, burgundy red flowers with beige stamens and a light lime-colored eye.

Agastache rugosa originates from areas of China and Japan. Its serrated leaves resemble nettle leaves but do not sting, and when rubbed between the fingers, they release a minty-anise scent. It is a stable, upright growing plant. Hardy and robust, it successfully tolerates our winters. It remains interesting for cutting even after flowering. It lasts 7 days in a vase.

Oxford Cranesbill is a vigorously growing perennial suitable for creating dense stands. It is an ideal plant for naturalistic gardens. It tolerates partial shade among trees and shrubs well. The cultivar Rose Claire blooms pink and belongs to the shorter representatives of its species. Plants are typically 30–40 cm tall.

A versatile perennial suitable for both country and modern flowerbeds. It also works well in wild, natural plantings. Its main charm lies in its lovely 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. Lasts 7 days in a vase. Black Barlow has full, almost black flowers.

For drying, use the round seed pods that flax forms after flowering. You need to catch the right time when they are mature and the stem below the capsule is firm. Don't wait too long, though, to achieve a nice golden color after drying. Simply hang them upside down in a dry, ventilated place, away from direct sunlight.

Oriental poppy originates from the Caucasus, Turkey, and Iran, where it grows on rocky slopes and dry meadows. It blooms with large, cup-shaped flowers on tall stems. Like all poppies, for use in bouquets, we harvest them as soon as the buds color and "burst open." Additionally, we briefly (for about 20 seconds) sear the ends of the stems with a flame and immediately place them in cold water. They then last 4 days in a vase. The noticeably fuzzy and large leaves die back shortly after flowering, and the plant must rest until spring to regain strength. Some leaves sprout again in late summer. Therefore, it is advisable to plant other perennials nearby that, on the contrary, sprout later and can draw attention during the poppy's dormant period. Beauty Of Livermere has a degree sharper red petal color than Brilliant.