Shoofly plant

Catananche caerulea, commonly known as Cupid's dart, is a charming plant that will win you over with its lightness and airiness. Its scientific name refers to ancient Greek legends, according to which it was used in love potions; today, however, you will appreciate it more for its undemanding nature and unique appearance. It is excellently suited for natural-style gardens, gravel beds, and drought-tolerant plantings, where it beautifully complements other perennials or ornamental grasses. It grows up to ninety centimeters tall and, despite its height, needs no support. The flowers have a lavender-blue color with a darker center and toothed petals at the ends. They bloom gradually from June to September. Cupid's dart loves drought and heat, but on the contrary, it cannot stand winter dampness, which harms it more than frost. If you provide it with a well-drained spot, it will survive temperatures down to -18 °C. It is a rewarding plant for beginner growers and experienced florists alike. Fresh flowers last a week in a vase, but they will bring you the most joy when dried. Harvest them fully open in dry weather and hang them upside down. They will keep their shape and remind you of summer all winter long.

Silvery bracts and pure white flowers make Cupid's dart 'Alba' an unmissable beauty for drought-tolerant beds. Although its botanical name carries the epithet 'blue', this cultivar will delight you with its radiant whiteness, which stands out beautifully above clumps of grayish-green leaves. It is a plant native to the Mediterranean, so for happy growth, it requires plenty of sun and, most importantly, well-drained, sandy soil. In our conditions, it behaves as a short-lived perennial, but in a suitable spot, it gladly self-seeds and renews itself. A great advantage of Cupid's dart is its versatility for florists. Its strong stems make it predestined for cutting into summer bouquets, lasting about a week, and thanks to the interesting texture of its flowers and buds, it is also excellent for dried arrangements and winter decorations.