Iris Comme un Sourire

This species of iris likely originates from the Mediterranean. A very popular ornamental garden plant since ancient times, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly cultivated by the Celts, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. It lasts 3–7 days in a vase. Pink, purple, and copper - that is the color palette of this iris.

This species of iris likely originates originally from the Mediterranean. A long-time favorite ornamental garden plant, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly cultivated by the Celts, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. Lasts 3–7 days in a vase. Flowers in a combination of purple to purple-black with orange beards.

This species of iris likely originates from the Mediterranean. A very popular ornamental garden plant since ancient times, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly cultivated by the Celts, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. It lasts 3–7 days in a vase. Flowers in warm pink-purple tones.

This species of iris likely originates originally from the Mediterranean. A long-time favorite ornamental garden plant, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly cultivated by the Celts, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. Lasts 3–7 days in a vase. Flowers in a combination of purple, light and coral pink.

This species of iris probably originates originally from the Mediterranean. It has long been a very popular ornamental garden plant, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly, the Celts already cultivated them, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. It lasts 3–7 days in a vase. Lugano has ivory white flowers with a sulphur-yellow throat and beards. It can repeat flowering once more in autumn.

This species of iris likely originates from the Mediterranean. A very popular ornamental garden plant since ancient times, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly cultivated by the Celts, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. It lasts 3–7 days in a vase. This cultivar has dark to black-purple flowers with tangerine-colored beards.

This species of iris likely originates originally from the Mediterranean. A long-time favorite ornamental garden plant, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly cultivated by the Celts, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. Lasts 3–7 days in a vase. This cultivar belongs to the late-blooming varieties and combines lavender and yellow shades in its flowers.

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. Royal Wedding flowers have white petals with a dark burgundy spot in the center of the flower.

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.

Phlox is originally a perennial native to North America. It soon achieved great popularity in European gardens and has been systematically bred since the 19th century. It is a classic perennial for cutting into bouquets, where, in addition to colorful flowers, it also delights with a gentle fragrance. We harvest as soon as roughly half the flowers in the inflorescence have bloomed; then they last up to 10 days in a vase. Despite efforts to breed the most resistant cultivars, it remains true that Phlox reacts extremely sensitively to climate and soil conditions, so we carefully pay attention to the correct choice of site. A historic English variety bred before 1949. The light pink flowers fade towards the center, while the eye is more richly colored.

This species of iris probably originates from the Mediterranean. A long-favored ornamental garden plant, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly grown by the Celts, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. It lasts 3–7 days in a vase. The flowers of the Lovely Again cultivar are a beautiful cool blue and fragrant.

This species of iris probably originates originally from the Mediterranean. It has long been a very popular ornamental garden plant, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly, the Celts already cultivated them, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. It lasts 3–7 days in a vase. Lime Fizz has lemon to canary yellow flowers with gentle ruffling.

This species of iris likely originates originally from the Mediterranean. A long-time favorite ornamental garden plant, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly cultivated by the Celts, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. Lasts 3–7 days in a vase. Flowers in a combination of cream and lemon yellow.

This species of iris likely originates originally from the Mediterranean. A long-time favorite ornamental garden plant, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly cultivated by the Celts, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. Lasts 3–7 days in a vase. It has light blue flowers with white, yellowish beards in the throat.

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 species native to Central Europe originating from clearings, damp meadows, and light forest edges. Usually a biennial or short-lived perennial. In the first year in autumn, the plant forms a basal rosette of leaves; in spring, flowering stems grow from them. Further development depends on the site we choose. Somewhere it survives another season, elsewhere we must rely on self-seeding or plant new plants. All parts of the foxglove are poisonous. Lasts 6 to 8 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.

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.

Phlox is a perennial originally native to North America. It soon achieved great popularity in European gardens and has been systematically bred since the 19th century. It is a classic cut flower perennial, delighting not only with colorful blooms but also a gentle fragrance. Harvest when about half the flowers in the cluster are open, and it will last up to 10 days in a vase. A Dutch variety bred in 2007 and named 'Sweet Summer Melody', it belongs to the resistant cultivars. Another plus is its compact growth and abundant flowering. The pink flowers with a red eye contrast perfectly with the dark green foliage.

This species of iris probably originates originally from the Mediterranean. It has long been a very popular ornamental garden plant, bred into many cultivars. Allegedly, the Celts already cultivated them, it was popular in the Middle Ages and became a heraldic plant. It lasts 3–7 days in a vase. The flowers are purple with bronze veining and yellow beards.

The original home of Bleeding Hearts is Korea and China, where they grow in light deciduous forests. They are classic garden perennials. They look perfect in nostalgic flower beds, and the white variety fits well into naturalistic woodland gardens. They are popular for their heart-shaped flowers hanging on horizontal or arching stems. Some time after flowering, these weaken and die back; all the plant's strength concentrates in the roots, and at that point, we can cut the above-ground part back completely. We won't even know the Bleeding Heart is in the garden for the rest of the year. It will remind us of its charm again in spring. Perfect vase life, at least 7 days. Harvest when the first 3–4 flowers open on the stem. The basic species has pink-white flowers. Shoots sprouting in spring have a pink tinge.

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. The flowers of the Double Ellen Green cultivar are semi-double, bright light green with white stamens.

Phlox is originally a perennial native to North America. It soon achieved great popularity in European gardens and has been systematically bred since the 19th century. It is a classic perennial for cutting into bouquets, where, in addition to colorful flowers, it also delights with a gentle fragrance. We harvest as soon as roughly half the flowers in the inflorescence have bloomed; then they last up to 10 days in a vase. Despite efforts to breed the most resistant cultivars, it remains true that Phlox reacts extremely sensitively to climate and soil conditions, so we carefully pay attention to the correct choice of site. The Sweet Summer series includes cultivars bred for greater resistance to fungal diseases. The Sweet Summer Dream cultivar impresses with warm pink flowers with a red eye. Its advantage is also compact growth.

A tall medicinal perennial with decorative, finely divided leaves and a sweet taste and scent similar to anise. It does not form tubers. The delicate, aromatic leaves add an attractive veil and smoke effect to a perennial bed. Its flowers are a magnet for beneficial insects. It lasts 7–10 days in a vase. Matured umbels with seeds can be dried.

Anchusa is a perennial native to Southern Europe, where it grows in stony meadows. A hardy perennial with a strong root system. It is suitable for natural and cottage-style gardens. The blue anchusa has gentian-blue flowers, and fresh green leaves.

A long-lived and medicinal perennial originally from the Himalayas and Nepal. An exceptionally decorative plant with fresh green, finely pinnate leaves resembling ferns. The reddish stems contrast gently with fluffy, up to 20 cm wide, white umbels. An elegant and effective element of perennial beds from spring to autumn. An attraction for insects. It adds a meadow character to bouquets and lasts 7–10 days 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.

White flowers with pale green, balloon-like calyxes bloom during the summer on carpets of grey-green leaves. The original wild species originates from the coast of Western Europe. It is suitable for planting in rock gardens, dry walls, stone troughs, and containers for sunny terraces. It complements other grey-leaved perennial and herb species as well as drought-tolerant grasses perfectly.

It is a robust, long-lived, and drought-tolerant herb, native to North American prairies. The white flowers combine well with other perennials and last well in the flower bed and in a vase. The leaves with serrated edges emit a menthol scent.