Geranium Gravetye

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In its original form, the spotted geranium originates from the northeastern regions of America. It grows there in sparse, light forests. In the garden, therefore, it will suit beds in the undergrowth of taller shrubs accompanied by native woodland perennials and grasses. The cultivar Chatto has soft pink flowers; the deep green leaves are deeply cut and palmately divided.

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

A versatile perennial suitable for cottage and modern beds. It also works well in wild natural plantings. While its main charm lies in the cute flowers that appear in late spring, it is also valuable in beds for its early sprouting leaves. Columbines add airiness and lightness to perennial beds and bouquets. They last 7 days in a vase. Blue Barlow has full flowers of a blue-purple color like the original species.

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.

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 excellent pasture 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 on the stem open. Summer Breeze has a rich abundance of flowers in white and pink. It is robust and hardy.

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.

Round seed pods formed by flax after flowering are used for drying. It requires catching the right time when they are already mature and the stem below the pod is firm. Do not wait too long, however, so you achieve a nice golden color after drying. Just hang them upside down in a dry and ventilated place, out of direct sunlight.

A relatively short-lived, biennial to perennial plant with a charming scent and a long flowering period. A beautiful addition to rose beds, also suitable for country-style plantings. We can use it as undergrowth under taller shrubs and trees. It smells noticeably more in the evening and at night, attracting moths. For cutting, we harvest as soon as the first few florets open. The stems can still grow a bit even after cutting, we take this into account when creating arrangements. It lasts 5 to 7 days in a vase.

Oregano is an ancient medicinal plant, which in contemporary gardens functions perfectly as a reliable partner in drought-loving perennial communities. Its culinary use is generally known and lovers of Italian cuisine especially cannot do without it. In aromatherapy, it is considered the essence of good mood and harmony. The variety 'Hot and Spicy' is known for its intense spicy taste. It also attracts bees and butterflies to the herb garden.

Lupines are striking for their unmistakable flowers and decorative compound leaves. Naturally, they are rather short-lived perennials. Their lifespan is usually around five years. They are valued for their use as cut flowers and as bee pasture. Beautiful lupine with bicolored flowers. Pink with creamy white.

A perennial grass native to North American prairies. Switchgrass is very adaptable and long-lived. It adds clear structure to flower beds and simultaneously functions as a softening element. This is especially true after veil-like flowers appear above the clumps of leaves. The cultivar Squaw attracts attention at first glance with wine-red colored leaves and brown-pink flowers.

A beautiful delicate perennial originating from North America. The 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. We classify Coreopsis among naturally short-lived perennials. We can partially influence their lifespan by choosing a suitable site and care during the season. Cultivar 'Moonbeam' 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 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.

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

Heliopsis is a hardy, profusely flowering perennial that brightens up the garden with yellow flowers throughout the summer until the beginning of autumn. Originally from North America. Its cultivation has a long tradition in Europe, and it often appears in rural "cottage" gardens. It will look just as good in modern arrangements with tall grasses. The Asahi cultivar belongs to the shorter Heliopsis varieties. It has smaller golden-yellow, double flowers. It is suitable for cutting into bouquets, although single flowers last longer. We can extend the vase life by removing side buds that have not colored up.

Larkspurs are a classic and at the same time a dominant feature among bedding perennials. We often see them in the company of roses and peonies. To stand out well, they need to be given enough space and not forgotten regarding fertilization. We can enjoy their beauty in beds, bouquets, and even try drying; the flowers retain their deep color well. They last 7 days in a vase; they are sensitive to ethylene released from ripening fruit.

Rudbeckias, also known as coneflowers, originate from North America and are robust, abundantly flowering perennials of late summer and autumn. They are suitable for prairie plantings with tall grasses as well as cottage gardens. The central cones look very effective even after flowering and decorate perennial beds even through winter. Harvest for the vase as soon as they bloom. Vase life is 7 to 10 days. The dried central cones can also be used. The flowers are bright golden-yellow with dark centers. It is taller than the well-known Rudbeckia Goldsturm and also tolerates a bit more drought.

Anemones come from the same family as buttercups. With their elegant flowers on long, slender stems, they can brighten up and illuminate late summer and autumn flower beds. They stand out against a darker background of shrub groups and will also be grateful for their partial shade. The Czech Perennials Association chose autumn anemones as the perennial of the 2022 season. They last 7 days in a vase. Double-flowered historical variety grown since 1902. The flower is double, purple-pink, and the individual petals are noticeably narrower than those of 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, 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. Before that, they tend to wilt and the stems do not hold the flower in an upright position. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Hellebore Pretty Ellen Red has single, wine-red flowers with beige stamens and a light lime eye.

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

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

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.

For drying, round capsules formed by flax after flowering are used. You need to catch the right time when they are mature and the stem below the capsule is firm. Do not wait too long, however, so you achieve a nice golden color after drying. Just hang them upside down in a dry and ventilated place, out of direct sunlight.

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. Beauty Of Livermere has a shade sharper red petal color than Brilliant.