No. 153: Red gold but familiar

Three flowers to enrich your garden with color, three herbs to make delicious tea, and three vegetables that are a nice addition to your garden!

588750 – Geranium species ‘reflections’

Perennial geraniums are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. This colorful mixture of different species provides long-lasting and varied flowering, as the species follow each other in flowering time.

Colors range from blue, purple, pink, and white to the striking blue-and-white 'Splish Splash'. Many of the species also have beautiful dark foliage, which adds extra depth and contrast to the garden. A strong, low-maintenance base for any border!

Order the Geranium here

585400 – Digitalis purpurea ‘Excelsior Mixed’

It remains captivating: the graceful bell-shaped flowers of Digitalis (foxglove) on long stems up to 140 cm high. They feel at home in shady or semi-shady spots and give your garden a rural, natural look. This mixture contains shades of pink, white, and soft yellow, which complement each other beautifully. Digitalis is a real eye-catcher in the border, with a rustic charm and a strong presence.

Order the Digitalis here

594160 – Lavatera arborea ‘Variegata’

Anyone who cultivates a variegated Lavatera (and this yellow-variegated variety is truly beautiful) will enjoy it even in winter. The plant retains much of its foliage, which remains beautifully glossy even in the colder months – a cheerful sight in the garden or on the terrace. And then the bonus: in summer, Lavatera blooms with purplish-pink flowers, creating a colorful contrast with the variegated foliage.
Suitable for planting directly in the ground or in pots. Height: 60–120 cm.

Order the variegated Tree Mallow here

134800 – Amsoi

This broad-leaved amsoi is loved worldwide and grows into a sturdy plant with large, round, green leaves. The young leaves are delightfully spicy and excellent in salads. The older leaves are often used in stir-fries as an alternative to spinach. Thanks to its rapid growth and good cold resistance, amsoi is ideal for autumn and winter cultivation.
Tip: September is a perfect time to sow! This way, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown leafy greens even in the colder months.

Order Amsoi here

319000 – Miner's Lettuce

Miner's Lettuce is a tender leafy green with heart-shaped leaves. Delicious raw in salads or briefly stewed like spinach.

This cold-hardy powerhouse originates from Northwest America and now grows abundantly in Europe. In mild winters, protection is not needed, but under glass, it yields even better. Sowing? Approximately 2 grams per m², with 30 cm between rows. A fresh, easy vegetable for the winter months!

Order Miner's Lettuce here

252800 – Head Lettuce

This special head lettuce is ideal for the winter garden. It can overwinter outdoors down to -10 °C, making it perfect for a harvest in the colder months.
If you sow in autumn, you'll have delicious, tender heads ready to harvest in winter or early spring. With its firm texture and fresh taste, this is a real asset for the home gardener who wants to enjoy fresh lettuce even in winter.
Prefer a bit more certainty? Under glass, it will grow even more beautifully.

Order Head Lettuce here

341800 – Dill ‘Bouquet’

Dill ‘Bouquet’ is an early-blooming variety with dark green foliage and strikingly large flower heads. Not only delicious in the kitchen, but also beautiful in the garden!
The sturdy umbels produce abundant, decorative seeds, making this dill also very suitable for seed harvesting or as an ornamental plant in bouquets.
A true all-rounder for those who appreciate both taste and appearance.

Order Dill ‘Bouquet’ here

356240 – Chinaberry Tree

This traditional climbing plant is not only a feast for the eyes but also notorious for its toxic properties. All parts of the plant are poisonous and were formerly used medicinally—for example, for swellings, bites, and even as contraception or to induce an abortion. Today, such use is obsolete, but the warning remains: caution is advised! Nevertheless, it is a fascinating plant: with its pinnate leaves, graceful lilac flower clusters, and bright red pods with black tips, it is a striking sight. The seeds are often strung into jewelry in Asia and Africa—beautiful to behold, but never put the “beads” in your mouth. A plant with history, beauty, and a clear warning.

Order the Chinaberry Tree here

335150 – Henbane

She smells alluring, almost intoxicating. Her sticky glandular hairs reveal her mysterious nature—this plant is no ordinary sight. With her large, bell-shaped flowers in creamy white and deep purple veins, she is an enchanting presence in semi-shade, reaching up to about 80 cm in height. Her robust foliage gives her a sturdy appearance, but make no mistake: beauty and danger go hand in hand here.
Both internally and externally, she has been used for thousands of years for her medicinal—and hallucinogenic—properties. But be warned: this so-called “witch's herb” demands knowledge, skill, and caution.
A fascinating piece of plant magic with a long, dark history...

Order Henbane here

Her first favourite is the strawberry planter. These are specially designed to be hung from pipes or a wooden frame. As we are currently selling an enormous number of strawberry plants (see "the red gold is back" at the front of this letter), this is a perfect addition to house your plants. It is common to plant four plants in one planter. Petra has created an entire installation for all her planters and plants, and it looks spectacular.

I am thrilled to announce that we now have almost all flower bulbs in stock! We are still busy arranging everything and preparing it for sale, but the majority can already be ordered via our website.

I personally order all the flower bulbs and this year I've added many beautiful new tulips and daffodils to the collection. We've also significantly expanded our range of organic flower bulbs – something we are particularly proud of!
Feel free to browse our colourful and varied selection.

Order Spring Bloomers here

Of course, we still have our autumn-flowering bulbs on offer! These provide a beautiful burst of colour in your garden, precisely when you least expect it. And did you know you can even harvest your own saffron? It's a lot of fun to try!

View our collection of Autumn Bloomers here

Besides our beautiful flowers, several of our garlic varieties are also available! Would you like to grow your own garlic? Then be sure to take a look at the different varieties.
Next week we expect a new delivery, so keep a close eye on our newsletter and social media!

Kefir: healthy fermentation, easy to do at home

Did you know we also sell milk kefir and water kefir? Two healthy, homemade drinks that you can easily make yourself using powdered starters. They are rich in good bacteria and perfect for anyone who is conscious about nutrition.

Milk Kefir (yogurt culture, powdered)

Want to make your own creamy, slightly tart kefir milk? Mix a sachet with whole milk and let it stand for 48 hours at room temperature. You can then use a little of the kefir milk as a starter for the next batch. The powdered form is hygienic and easy: always a clean, fresh base without the hassle of live kefir grains.

Water Kefir (powdered)

For a refreshing, slightly sparkling, dairy-free drink, water kefir is an excellent alternative. Add water, sugar, lemon, and possibly dried fruit, and let it ferment for 48 hours.

A tasty and healthier alternative to soda.

822370 – Jostaberry

This berry, rich in vitamin C, is a hybrid of a blackcurrant and a gooseberry, combining the best of both plants. The plants grow vigorously and robustly, have no thorns, which makes picking much easier, and bear substantial clusters of usually 3 to 6 fruits. These fruits, known as jostaberries, are not only tasty but also nutritious and ideal for use in jams, desserts, or for eating fresh.

822990 – Lingonberry

This native, acid-loving plant yields two harvests per year (July and October) of red, aromatic, and slightly tart berries. They are very healthy, both for fresh consumption and for preserves! Provide them with a moist, sunny spot and mix mulch and peat moss into the soil. The plants do not grow taller than 25 cm, produce underground runners, and are very winter hardy. The first harvest should be done carefully so as not to disturb the subsequent bloom. Three plants per m² is sufficient; the yield can be up to 1 kg per m². After eight years, prune vigorously, and never use artificial fertilizer. Tip: place a few lingonberry plants in pots on the patio!