Intricate and delicate, Trachelium is a stunning addition to any garden or floral arrangement because to its rich cushions of blue-violet flowers. The fact that this unusual herbaceous perennial is known by the popular name “throatwort” just adds to the mystique surrounding it.

Trachelium, a clump-forming herb endemic to Europe and North Africa’s Western and Central Mediterranean regions, was formerly revered for its medical properties. It has been used in traditional medicine to alleviate throat problems. The common name “throatwort” is derived from the Greek word “trachelos,” which means “neck” (or blue throatwort). It’s now a popular cut flower and may be seen in greenhouses, private gardens, and even open fields all over the world as a result. The ‘Purple Umbrella’ and ‘White Umbrella’ cultivars were the first to be cultivated in the United States when the plant’s commercialisation began in the mid-1990s. Since the early 1980s, Trachelium has been commercially farmed throughout Europe. Despite this, many floral designers and cut flower producers have never heard of or tried Trachelium.

Even though there are several cultivars of Trachelium available today, there are little distinctions between them. Although it comes in a wide range of colors, including blues and purples as well as pinks and greens, white varieties age more quickly and are thus more prone to disease. Adenophora, campanula, and platycodon are all close family members of this plant’s Campanulaceae family.

There are a few of Trachelium species that may be cultivated as hardy garden annuals, but the majority of them are perennials. The upright, branching branches of this plant grow from a woody base and may reach a height of 102 cm. Its lance-shaped, deep green leaves have the most beautiful veining of any plant I’ve ever seen. Flat, dome-shaped clusters of approximately 1.3 cm diameter and slightly perfumed flowers adorn the stems’ branches at the top. These are made of hundreds of short, tubular florets. Some of these clusters may grow as broad as 20 cm thanks to their umbrella-like reach! Trachelium is a wonderful filler for floral bouquets because of this.

Trachelium may not be a frequent ingredient in today’s floral designs, but it is becoming more and more popular as an accent flower in bouquets and centerpieces over time. Florists are using this species because of its wide wingspan, romantic appeal, and ability to give dreamy texture, color, and smell to their creations. You may dry the stems, but the florets will gradually lose their vibrant colors.

Colors: green, pink,  blue,  white

When purchasing, look for stems that are straight and well-branched with approximately half of their florets out. If stems are picked too soon, or sold too early, their flower clusters may not open correctly. As a result, make sure that any stems you utilize are free of blemishes and are covered with lush, green leaves.

Remove any leaves that has fallen below the water’s surface before processing. Before storing or using in flower arrangements, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle and rehydrate them for at least two hours in room temperature water combined with a commercial floral preservative (including sugar). However, recutting stems in a bowl of fresh water or under running water is an option if desired. When cutting flowers under water, air pockets are less likely to develop at the base of the stems, allowing the flowers to absorb water as soon as possible.