Sedge Kyoto

Gaura is a clump-forming perennial originally from Texas and Louisiana. Here, it behaves rather as a short-lived perennial. It combines beautifully with grasses and adds lightness and airiness to beds. It is excellent pasture for insects. Tiny flowers similar to small butterflies bloom tirelessly from June until the first frosts. We harvest for bouquets as soon as the first two to three flowers open on the stem.

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 beautiful lower grass valuable for its early sprouting and the long endurance of leaves well into winter. The flowers are rather inconspicuous, beige, and appear in the green clumps only later in summer and autumn. The leaf color is bright green. A great combination with species such as calamint, gaura, or oregano.

Epimediums bring true fairy-tale magic to shady and semi-shady corners of the garden. They are the perfect plant for lovers of detail and observers of subtle changes throughout the season. They are effective with their ethereal flowers as well as interesting leaves with color variability and an almost year-round aesthetic effect. The delicate stems can also be used in flower arrangements. 'Beni Kujaku' has semi-double flowers, widely opened with a lighter interior. The flower color is lilac-pink with a darker rim at the edge of the petals.

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.

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, 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.

This species of sage originates from the steppe regions of Central and Eastern Europe. It forms abundantly flowering small clumps with straight upright stems. In beds, it looks best in groups. Traditionally, it is planted as a companion to roses due to the matching flowering time. However, it will look equally good in mixed drought-loving steppe plantings with grasses. It is an excellent food source for bees. It lasts 7 days in a vase. Schneehügel blooms white.

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, already in 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 do not hold the flower in an upright position. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Hellebore Pretty Ellen Purple has single flowers of a rich burgundy-purple color with cream stamens.

Tufted hairgrass is an undemanding native grass that remains green even in winter. In nature, it grows in meadows and forest clearings. It forms a neat clump of leaves, from which grow delicate thin stems with transparent clouds of flowers. It adapts even to more difficult conditions, such as dry shade or compacted soil, and can handle waterlogging too. The Czech cultivar 'Pálava' is valuable for its extra-long flowering time from July to October. Unlike other cultivars, its flowers are sterile and do not create any seedlings. It is stated that it resists drought best of all tufted hairgrasses.

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'.

Fine 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 beds, it serves as a fluffy delicate filler and brightens up the garden after summer perennials have finished blooming. It will look good in combination with roses and in wild plantings with grasses. It is important for bees and butterflies as the last pasture before winter. It lasts 7 to 10 days in a vase. 'Lovely' is characterized by countless small, delicate pink flowers in loose panicles on firm, wiry stems.

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. Hellebore Pretty Ellen White has single white flowers, with a slight burgundy tinge in the center, against which the white stamens stand out beautifully.

Agastache rugosa comes from areas of China and Japan. Its toothed leaves resemble nettle leaves but do not sting, and when rubbed between fingers, they release a minty-anise scent. It is a stable, upright-growing plant. Hardy and robust, it successfully handles even our winters. Interesting for cutting even after flowering. Lasts 7 days in a vase. Agastache Alabaster is well usable in any color combination thanks to its white coloring.

A fast-growing ornamental grass with strikingly colored dark burgundy foliage. It blooms from July to October with pink to burgundy spikes that gradually fade to beige. It is interesting not only for its flowers but also for its overall habit and striking color contrast.

Oregano is an ancient medicinal plant, but in contemporary gardens, it functions perfectly as a reliable partner in drought-tolerant perennial communities. Its culinary use is generally known, and lovers of Italian cuisine, in particular, cannot do without it. In aromatherapy, it is considered the essence of good mood and harmony.

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.

A groundcover variety of thyme that catches the eye at first glance with its yellow-green variegated leaf. Pink flowers complement the color range from June. In addition to the characteristic fragrance, another plus of this thyme is its winter appearance. Under the influence of low temperatures, the entire plant changes color to dusty pink tones.

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.

A South American species of verbena. It is often used here as an annual, but in mild winters it can overwinter and propagate by self-seeding. The sturdy, airy stems beautifully soften perennial beds and make them special with their purple color. It beautifully complements steppe plantings with grasses as well as rose beds. North American breeding of the well-known verbena focused on compact growth and profuse flowering. The name Lollipop accurately describes the habit of this plant. Upright shorter stems and a purple cloud of flowers. Suitable for seasonal plantings in containers.

A very adaptable grass that grows naturally in pastures and heathlands. It is planted in gardens primarily for its exceptional autumn effect, when the leaves turn golden to orange tones. Heidezwerg is grown for its dark purple to violet inflorescences.

This species of sage originally comes 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. Traditionally, due to the identical flowering time, it is planted as a companion to roses. However, it will look just as good in mixed drought-loving steppe plantings with grasses. It lasts 7 days in a vase. The cultivar Caradonna stands out with a long flowering period and dark, almost black-purple stems with tiny purple flowers and dark purple bracts. If we cut it back after flowering, it will bloom again in late August and September.

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.

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 Fat Domino cultivar was bred in Belgium and has dark red flowers.

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.

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, already in 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 do not hold the flower in an upright position. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Double Ellen Pink Spotted has double, soft pink flowers with dark burgundy spots.

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. We grow this cultivar for its distinctively dark flowers, which appear in large numbers especially after warm summers.

An interesting tuberous perennial with flowers blooming from the top down. This peculiarity gave it its second Czech name – 'top-flower'. Most plants bloom the other way around, from bottom to top. The purple flowers of a peculiar shape attract bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. Interesting for bouquets too.

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 show color and "crack." Additionally, we briefly sear the stem ends with a flame (for about 20 seconds) and immediately place them in cold water. They will then 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. Some leaves sprout again in late summer. Therefore, it is advisable to plant other perennials in close proximity that sprout later and can draw attention during the poppy's dormant period. Coral Reef is a variety with salmon-pink flowers and black spots at the base of the petals.