Verbena bonariensis is usually considered airy.

Lisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Google Images of Verbena B.

I have verbena chaixii that is really tall and airy. This isn't the best picture of one, but it will give you an idea. It is a biennial.

{{gwi:679068}}

I'm sure I'll have seeds in the summer if you are interested.

Lisa

No, I know exactly what you mean corgitrbl. People say my garden is very textural; Im always thinking 'I need something tall and architectural here, or some strappy-leafed plant here'. Heres a couple of 'airy' plants.

Crambe- Sea Kale- there are a few species I think, ranging from really huge to smaller sorts.
Scabiosa ochroleuca- has dainty, small yellow flowers.
Knautia- lookes a bit like previous flower, but more upright. Colors range from maroon to pink, and a lavander-pink.
Gillenia trifoliata- adorable white flowers
Limonium- Sea Lavender or Statice
Valeriana officinalis
Agastache cana and others
Linaria
Nigella is an annual
Some Nepeta are airy
Filipendula has very airy flowers. There are all diffrent kinds.
Im told 'Moonbeam' Coreopsis is billowy.
Gaura
Aster divaricatus?
My Aconitum 'Sparks Variety' has pretty purple flowers.
Saxifraga umbrosa and Semiaquilegia (false Columbine) have a kind-of airiness about them, and would be good for the front of the border.
Wow, this is too much info isnt it? lol.
CMK

Thalictrum (Meadow Rue)
Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed)
Filipendula (Queen Of The Prairie)
Gypsophila paniculata (Tall Baby's Breath)

You can see them growing in my garden in the link

Here is a link that might be useful: my garden

I was thinking Joe Pye weed and Russian sage :)

and it's not too late to throw in some cosmos seeds for this year.. they are definately airy and you can get those fast and they'll last all summer! and fall!

Libby I've seen your flowers several times, but I always have to take another look, they are so gorgeous and lush and utterly romantic.

Grasses are airy. I guess they're not traditionally thought of as cottage plants. Just check MrMorton's photos in the gallery section and you'll see how he incorporates them into his garden.

I was so inspired by him and a few other cottagers that I've planted four different varieties this year.

Tracy

I agree with Tracy on ornamental grasses. They are light & airy, plus they sway beautifully in the breeze.

Another idea would be ferns, particularly asparagus ferns.

Marilyn

Oh good, Libbyshome mentioned Thalictrum, I forgot to. I have T. rochebrunianum and love it, and its much easier to grow than I thought.
Ok, a couple more...
Cephalaria gigantea
Artemisia lactiflora 'Guizhou'
I saw Fennel at a local public garden last year and love it. Its airy and looks a good deal like dill. Lets see... I believe its proper name is Ferula officinalis.
CMK

Cleome is tall, very airy and soft looking.
Tall garden phlox is pretty and smells wonderful.
Hollyhocks are not very airy, but are very tall, cottagey looking and sculptural.
Bee balm is wonderful for it's scent, height and for the hummers it attracts.
Cheryl

I like Mexican Bush Sage ( Salvia Leucantha )
It blows real cool ! on a real nice windy day !
Olga,

One more... asparagus.

Airy fillers and/or weavers of various heights-bronze fennel, grasses, verbena bonariensis, kalimeris, catmint, Diamond Frost euphorbia, Queen Anne's lace and Sweet Annie artemisia (the last two reseed like crazy so dead heading and thinning are necessary.)

Lisa

A wee bit off topic but twice Queen of the Praries was mentioned. Can anyone confirm what the leaves look like?
Pot plants by chance?

A client gave me some the other day but called it Queen of the plains. I googled of course and came up with nothing. She also called it Randyplay. Or that was how the English accent made it sound. A friend of hers brought a root back many years ago from France.

she did show me a picture. Tall fluffy pink plume of flowers. My very technical perennial book does not use common names (nor pernunciation!) and it is the closest I can find to the match the picture

If anyone can confirm that the leaves follow this description then I will know if I identified it correctly. I could also snap a pic.

Tall fluffy plants: Plume poppy.
Dana

Big leaves, deeply divided.
Fluffy head.
Filipendula rubra (Queen of the Prairie) or sometime called
Filipendula rubra ÂVenustaÂ. I've grown both and haven't noticed much difference.

{{gwi:679069}}

Libby

Dill and Fennel are tall and airy, too, and they'll attract butterflies.

Also, Kiss Me Over The Grden Gate
{{gwi:430856}}

And Cleome
{{gwi:341419}}

Yarrow
{{gwi:679072}}
Walker's Low nepeta:
{{gwi:679074}}

Thanks Libby, that's the one.
Reddish stem with somewhat lime green leaves.
Dana