Aster Professor A. Kippenberg

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.

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.

Autumn moor grass is an exceptionally hardy ornamental grass that introduces fresh greenery to the garden right from early spring. Native to the rocky slopes of the Balkans, it is well-adapted to free-draining soils, making it an ideal choice for novice gardeners. It forms neat clumps growing thirty to fifty centimeters tall. Its greatest asset is its bright green foliage, which emerges early and remains in pristine condition in the borders well into winter. The plant is untouched by diseases or pests and handles severe frosts superbly. In August and September, delicate creamy-beige flowers appear above the foliage. These rather subtle spikelets give the plant an elegant, refined look. In the garden, it acts as a perfect filler perennial for sunny or partially shaded spots. It looks absolutely stunning paired with calamint, airy gaura, or flowering oregano. Its delicate flowers and leaves are easily used as foliage filler in fresh bouquets, or they can be dried for small-scale floristry projects.

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.

A tufted, upright growing grass. It sprouts very early. It is decorative due to its overall vertical habit and fine flower panicles, which bloom silvery-grey, turn yellow in summer, and transition to sandy beige. It decorates the garden until winter. You can plant it in mixed beds or use it as an element to rhythmically divide the space. Usable for bouquets and drying.

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 places. A very adaptable and undemanding plant, it grows in clumps and spreads by runners. By cutting back after the first flowering, we encourage a set of new flowers. For bouquets, we harvest when the florets are fully open. It lasts 10 days in a vase. Summer Pastels is characterized by a changeable and soft range of colors from white and vanilla to salmon, brick red, and bronze.

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.

Russian sage reliably brings a touch of sunny steppes into the garden and places almost no demands on care. These sparsely branched subshrubs originally come from harsh, rocky areas from Afghanistan to Tibet, where they grow on open sun-drenched plains. Thanks to its origin, it delights in full sun and poor, well-drained sandy soil with minimal moisture. You will receive from us a well-rooted seedling in a pot, which just needs to be transplanted straight to the chosen spot in the flower bed. It does not need support, is avoided by common pests and diseases, and will survive frosts down to minus twenty-eight degrees. It grows up to one hundred and twenty centimeters and forms striking white felted shoots with silvery grey aromatic leaves. From July to October, it blooms with tiny blue-purple flowers that act as a lure for bees and butterflies and are even edible. Russian sage stands out next to drought-tolerant perennials. The flowers are suitable for cutting and drying for winter arrangements. Moreover, the silvery stems will ensure a beautiful winter effect in the flower bed.

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 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 unique cultivar of hardy geranium. An exceptionally long flowering period from May to November. The flowers are violet-blue. Suitable for beds and containers. If growth becomes too vigorous, it can be cut back; it will soon regrow and bloom profusely again. It is frost-hardy, yet it is good to protect it in winter with a light covering of brushwood.

A dense hemispherical shrub with smooth fresh green leaves that are lighter on the underside. Flowers in convex to hemispherical inflorescences with a diameter of 15–30 cm gradually change color from pale green and cream to pure white.

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, 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.

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.

Rudbeckia Goldsturm is a reliable and long-lived perennial that will bring the warm tones of late summer and autumn into your garden. It originally comes from the open plains and prairies of North America, so it delights most in sunny locations with common garden soil, whether it is loamy, humus-rich, or clayey. You will receive from us an already grown seedling in a pot, which you just need to transplant to the chosen spot in the flower bed. It is a completely undemanding plant, does not suffer from diseases or pests, and easily survives severe frosts. The Goldsturm cultivar grows to a height of about seventy centimeters and does not need support. From August to October, it produces a flood of golden-yellow flowers with distinctly dark centers. These edible flowers attract pollinators and fit perfectly into both prairie and rustic plantings. Rudbeckia is also great for cutting, lasting around ten days in a vase. In addition, the distinctive dark centers can be easily dried. If you leave them in the flower bed over the winter, they will provide a wonderful spectacle.

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.

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.

Gaura Siskiyou Pink is a charming perennial that brings lightness and airiness to the garden. Its original native area is in the warm regions of Texas and Louisiana, which is why it thrives in full sun and well-drained sandy soil. It grows in clumps and from June until the autumn frosts produces tiny raspberry-pink flowers that resemble fluttering butterflies. An interesting detail of this variety is the green leaves with a bronze tint and red spots. It is an absolutely undemanding plant, does not suffer from diseases or pests, and even beginners can handle its care. You will receive a grown seedling in a pot from us, which you simply need to transplant directly into the flowerbed. Here it complements ornamental grasses perfectly and acts as an attraction for bees and bumblebees. Although it grows more as a short-lived perennial in our climate, in a suitable place it reliably self-seeds. Occasional pinching will encourage richer branching. Gaura is excellent for summer bouquets. We cut the stems for a vase as soon as the first two to three little flowers open.

It originates from the northeastern USA and southern Canada, where it grows in damp areas, scrublands, and on coasts. It crosses very willingly with other aster species, resulting in an inexhaustible number of varieties. Unlike New England asters, they do not close their flowers at night or during unfavorable weather, making them perfect for cutting into vases. We must keep in mind their susceptibility to mildew, which can be prevented by choosing a suitable location. They last 7 to 10 days in a vase. Fellowship is large-flowered, profusely blooming, and of taller growth. The pink-colored flowers with yellow centers have a diameter of up to 3 cm.

Anemones come from the same family as buttercups. With their elegant flowers on long slender stems, they can enliven and brighten up late summer and autumn flowerbeds. They stand out against the darker background of shrub groups and will also appreciate their partial shade. The Czech Perennial Association chose autumn anemones as the perennial of the season for 2022. They last 7 days in a vase. Serenade is a tender and vigorously growing cultivar. The flowers are semi-double, light pink with a center formed by distinct yellow stamens. The stems are firm and upright; it does not tend to lodge.

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.

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'.

Autumn anemones are an indispensable part of perennial beds because they take over the flowering baton at a time when most summer species are already fading and the garden begins to take on autumn tones. The original botanical species grow in the moister soils of China and Japan, which predestines their growing requirements in our conditions. They require well-drained but non-drying soil rich in nutrients, ideally in partial shade under trees. 'September Charm' is a reliable variety that will delight you with large pink flowers with a prominent yellow center. The flowers on tall branching stems look very romantic and attract the last pollinators, especially bees. They are excellently suited for cutting into autumn bouquets, where they will stay in good condition for about a week. The plant is hardy and long-lived, but remember that as a representative of the buttercup family, it is poisonous.

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 places. A very adaptable and undemanding plant, it grows in clumps and spreads via runners. Cutting back after the first flowering encourages a new set of flowers. We harvest for bouquets when the florets are fully open. They last 10 days in a vase.

Showy stonecrop is one of the longest-living and hardiest perennials you can treat your garden to. It originally comes from the Far East, where it colonizes sunny and dry slopes. For successful cultivation, you simply need to find it a spot in direct sun with well-drained sandy soil. The 'Matrona' cultivar catches the eye at first glance with its fleshy, grayish-green leaves with a burgundy tinge and sturdy stems that do not break and need no support. We will deliver a mature potted seedling that you can easily transplant straight into the flowerbed after unpacking. We recommend planting five to seven plants per square meter; they will soon join into a solid stand around seventy centimeters tall. From August to October, it will then delight you with rich, flat inflorescences in an old rose color. It is an ideal choice for those looking for beauty without unnecessary effort. This stonecrop easily survives harsh winters with frosts dropping to minus twenty-eight degrees, and pests and diseases avoid it. The 'Matrona' variety differs from others in that it will reliably grow even in more nutritious soil, provided it is not waterlogged. In perennial compositions, it creates a beautiful contrast next to delicate ornamental grasses and other autumn flowers. During sunny days, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators constantly take turns over its flowers. You can boldly use the sturdy stems with pink umbels for cutting. They stay fresh in a vase for quite a long time and will bring a touch of the slowly ending summer into your home. It might surprise you that the leaves of this stonecrop are edible and can be used to garnish dishes. If you decide not to cut the plant back in the autumn, you will get a perfect structure in the flowerbed that will last all winter. Especially when the old flowers are covered in frost, they provide a breathtaking spectacle right until the spring months.

The largeleaf brunnera comes from the moist mountain forests of the Caucasus, where it forms dense undergrowth. It is an ideal perennial for shady and semi-shady corners of your garden, where it will thrive in humus-rich, moist soil. It resembles classic forget-me-nots in appearance, but don't be fooled, its leaves are much larger, heart-shaped, and rough to the touch. Thanks to them, it acts as a great groundcover plant that sprouts early in the spring and reliably covers bare soil with its leaves until late autumn. It thus forms a natural contrasting background for the delicate, tiny flowers. Tiny sky-blue flowers appear in April, May, and June, creating a beautiful delicate veil over the green carpet of leaves. The flower clusters are also suitable for cutting into spring hand-tied bouquets, where they look very tender. Just watch out for snails and slugs, who like to feast on the juicy leaves of the brunnera, so it's a good idea to check the plants regularly. It is a long-lived and hardy perennial that handles severe frosts without problems and will bring you joy in one place for many years.

Anemones come from the same family as buttercups. With their elegant flowers on long slender stems, they can enliven and brighten up late summer and autumn flowerbeds. They stand out against the darker background of shrub groups and will also appreciate their partial shade. The Czech Perennial Association chose autumn anemones as the perennial of the season for 2022. They last 7 days in a vase. Königin Charlotte is a massive taller variety bred as early as 1898. It has strong, firm stems and semi-double large violet-pink flowers. The outer sides of the silky smooth petals are colored violet.

Native wild perennial with a large distribution area from Europe to Siberia. Suitable for natural and wild plantings. Grows in meadows and dry grassy places. A very adaptable and undemanding plant, grows in clumps and spreads by runners. Cutting back after the first flowering encourages a new batch of flowers. Harvest for bouquets when the florets are fully open. Lasts 10 days in a vase. The Lachsschönheit cultivar is valued for its perfect transition of tones from salmon-pink to cream.

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. The faassenii group is characterized by vigorous upright growth, fine foliage, and long stems suitable for cutting. Six Hills Giant has a slightly lighter flower color than Walker's Low. It grows in airy clumps and blooms very profusely. Long stems suitable for cutting.