|
Aquilegia
Columbine / Granny's Bonnets
COLUMBINE
Herbaceous
Perennials
|
The nodding, mostly
spurred, flowers of Aquilegia make an invaluable contribution to informal
planting schemes, being at home in the cottage garden, or semi-shaded
areas under trees. Columbines flower from late spring, and in the case
of some species, until late summer, filling the gap between the end of
the spring flowering bulbs and until the summer flowering herbaceous
perennials come into their own.
Aquilegia appear well
adapted to dry conditions, having a thick fleshy main root that will
grow downwards to find water as the moisture content at the surface of
the border disappears.
|
| Varieties: -
|
|
|
|
|
| Aquilegia.
akitensis
|
See Aquilegia.
flabellata
|
|
Aquilegia.
alpina
(Alpine Columbine)
|
Form: Short-lived,
upright perennial
Height: 18in (45cm)
Spread: 6in (15cm)
Foliage: Having basal rosettes of finely divided leaves
Flowers: In spring and early summer, producing slender stems,
bearing spurred flowers in clear-blue or violet-blue
Soil: Must be rich
Fully Hardy
|
|
|
Aquilegia.
caerulea
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Form:
Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height:
30-60cm (12-24in).
Spread:
Foliage:
Flowers:
Possibly the most beautiful Aquilegia of all. With glorious light to
deep blue flowers 2-3in across sometimes in a fetching bi-coloured with
white. An excellent border perennial, grand for cutting, in bloom for
several weeks and will grow in sun or light shade.
|
|
Aquilegia.
canadensis
(Canadian Columbine)
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Form: Clump
forming, leafy, perennial
Height: 24in (60cm)
Spread: 12in (30cm)
Foliage: Dark-green, fern-like, leaves
Flowers: In early summer producing slender stems bearing several
semi-pendant, bell-shaped, flowers with yellow sepals and red spurs
|
|
|
Aquilegia.
chrysantha
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Form: Vigorous,
clump forming, perennial
Height: 4ft (1.2m)
Spread: 2ft (60cm)
Foliage: Mid-green, divided, fern-like, leaves
Flowers: In early summer, producing slender stems, each carrying
several, semi-pendant, bell-shaped, soft yellow flowers with long
spurs.
|
|
|
Aquilegia.
clematiflora
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 18in (45cm)
Spread:
Foliage:
Flowers: Most unusual for an Aquilegia! Spurless, nodding flowers in
shades of pink and purple which, when viewed from the behind, resemble a
Clematis
|
|
|
Aquilegia.
x cultorum
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Form: Clump
forming perennial
Height: 12in (30cm)
Spread: 12in (30cm)
Foliage: Colourful mounds of blue-green foliage
Flowers: From late
Spring to mid-Summer
nodding, scarlet and white spurred blooms give this Aquilegia an elfin
appearance.
|
|
|
Aquilegia.
flabellata
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Syn: Aquilegia.
akitensis
Form: Fully Hardy Clump
Forming Perennial
Height:
10in (25cm)
Spread:
4in (10cm)
Foliage:
Rounded finely divided leaves form and open basal rosette
Flowers:
Bell-shaped, soft-blue, flowers each with fluted petals and a short spur
are produced during the Summer
Cultivation: Needs semi-shade and moist soil.
|
|
Aquilegia. pumila f alba
|
Syn: Aquilegia.
flabellata "Nana Alba"
Form: Fully Hardy, Compact,
Clump Forming Perennial
Height:
4in (10cm)
Spread: 4in (10cm)
Foliage: Rounded finely divided leaves form and open basal rosette
Flowers: Bell-shaped, white, flowers each with fluted petals and a
short spur are produced during the Summer
Cultivation: Needs semi-shade and moist soil.
|
|
|
Aquilegia. jonesii
|
Form:
An Uncommon Compact Perennial
Height:
1in (2.5cm)
Spread:
2in (5cm)
Foliage:
Has rosettes of finely divided blue-grey, or grey green leaves
Flowers: In Summer producing short delicate stems each bearing a few
short-spurred, violet-blue flowers.
Cultivation: Only suitable for the Alpine House.
|
|
Aquilegia. longissima
|
Form:
A fully hardy, clump-forming, leafy Perennial
Height:
24in (60cm)
Spread:
20in (50cm)
Foliage:
Fern-like, divided, mid-green leaves
Flowers:
In early Summer, producing delicate stems, each carrying, bell-shaped,
pale yellow flowers with very long bright yellow spurs.
|
|
Aquilegia. scopulorum
|
Form:
Frost hardy, clump-forming, herbaceous
perennial
Height:
2.5in (6cm)
Spread:
3.5in (9cm)
Foliage:
Leaves are divided into nine oval, glaucous, leaflets.
Flowers: In Summer, producing bell-shaped, fluted, pale-blue,
sometimes pink, flowers, each having a cream centre and very long spurs.
|
|
|
Aquilegia.
skinneri
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 18in (45cm)
Spread:
Foliage: With fern-like foliage it produces an inexhaustible supply of
stems with long spurred flowers
Flowers:
|
|
|
Aquilegia.
vervaeneana
|
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread:
Foliage: this Aquilegia will delight perennial growers year round with its
stunning and richly variable variegated leaves, ranging from gold, to
olive-green, bordering on orange, with all shades in between. Foliage 6-9in
(15-23cm) high.
Flowers: Powder-blue, pretty pink and whitish flower colours complement
the foliage in late spring/early summer
|
|
|
Aquilegia.
viridiflora
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 12-14in (30-35cm).
Spread:
Foliage:
Flowers: This unique aquilegia is 'really something else'! Its yellow
green claws grasp a deep purple-chocolate brown bonnet which is perfectly
contrasted by bright yellow-green anthers. Add to this a sweet fragrance which
pervades the garden on warm, still spring days and you have a choice border,
rock garden or container plant. Excellent for cutting too!
|
|
|
Aquilegia. vulgaris
(Granny's Bonnets)
|
Form:
Fully hardy herbaceous perennial
Height:
3ft (1m)
Spread:
20in (50cm)
Foliage:
Leaves are grey-green, rounded and divided into leaflets.
Flowers: In summer long stems are produced each carrying many
funnel-shaped, short spurred flowers, in shades of pink, crimson, purple, or
white.
|
|
Aquilegia
vulgaris
Melton Rapids |
Form:
Fully hardy herbaceous perennial
Height: 35-40in (90-100cm)
Spread:
20in (50cm)
Foliage:
Leaves are grey-green, rounded and divided into leaflets.
Flowers: Double "Granny's Bonnet" flowers of sea blue, tipped in
white. Some of the blooms hang to reveal a beautiful silver-white sheen on the
reverse of the base petals. Excellent for the border and cottage garden,
ideally planted in clumps of 5 or more. Flowers early summer
|
|
|
Aquilegia. vulgaris
Nora Barlow
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Form:
Fully hardy, leafy, herbaceous
perennial
Height:
24-30in (60-75cm)
Spread:
20in (50cm)
Foliage: Leaves are grey-green, rounded and divided into leaflets.
Flowers:
In summer, long stems are produced bearing several short-spurred,
funnel-shaped, double, red flowers, pale green at the tips.
|
|
Aquilegia.
x hybrida
Blue Bonnets
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 24-30in (60-75cm)
Spread:
Foliage:
Flowers: Exquisitely double pleated flowers of purple-blue and
white, so beautiful that as they hang they resemble a ballerina's dress.
Wonderfully formed, the pleats so precisely laid they transfix you when
they appear during late spring. They produce a very high percentage true
to description, the balance, as a bonus of exactly the same form, with
sugar-pink, plum and white flowers. Flowers summer.
|
|
Aquilegia.
x hybrida
Blue and Pink Bonnets |
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 24-30in (60-76cm).
Spread:
Foliage:
Flowers: Exquisitely double pleated flowers of purple-blue and
white, and sugar-pink and white, from spring to early summer.
|
|
Aquilegia.
x hybrida
McKana Giants Mixed
© Thompson and Morgan
|
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 36in (90cm).
Spread: 12in (30cm)
Foliage: Grey-green to light-green, divided, lobed leaves
Flowers: One of the best in the long spurred hybrid range producing
2-3in wide flowers in an excellent colour range. Suitable for bedding
and cut flowers. Flowers late spring/early summer.
|
|
Aquilegia. x hybrida
'Mrs Scott Elliot Hybrids' |
Form:
Clump-forming,
fully hardy, herbaceous perennials
Height:
3ft (1m)
Spread:
20in (50cm)
Foliage:
Has fern-like, bluish-green, divided leaves.
Flowers: In early-summer producing branching wiry stems, each
carrying bell-shaped, long spurred flowers in various colours, often
bi-coloured.
|
|
Aquilegia.
x hybrida
Pink Bonnets |
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 24-30in (60-76cm).
Spread:
Foliage:
Flowers: Exquisite double pleated flowers of sugar-pink and white,
so beautiful that as they hang they resemble a ballerina's dress.
Occasionally plants will produce flowers of a different colour, which
can only be a bonus. Ideal for the cottage garden and border. Flowers
late spring/early summer. Seed sown early will often flower the same
season.
|
|
Aquilegia.
x hybrida
Royal Purple |
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 24in (60cm)
Spread:
Foliage:
Flowers: One of the best new introductions! A specially selected
spurless form, producing flowers closely resembling double clematis, of
a deep, rich royal purple colour. Outstanding garden performance. Ideal
for cottage gardens.
|
|
Aquilegia.
x hybrida
Ruby Port |
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 24-30in
(60-76cm).
Spread:
Foliage:
Flowers: A wonderful dark maroon-red form with fully double flowers
produced during the summer.
|
|
Aquilegia.
x hybrida
Sunlight White |
Form: Hardy
Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 36in (1m)
Spread:
Foliage:
Flowers: Lovely white, fully double flowers, with occasional
lime-green tinged petals. Flowers are spurless, upward facing on uniform
plants, making ideal cut flowers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cultivation: -
Grow the larger types
of Aquilegia in fertile, moist, but well drained soil in full sun or
partial shade. Alpine types should be grown in fertile soil in full sun,
with a thick mulch of grit. The
larger varieties of Columbine are really quite tough and will grow in all
but the very poorest of soils, however, they cannot be expected to achieve
their best under such conditions. Indeed if plants are not producing a
dense mound of bright to grey-green leaves, are covered in a whitish
deposit, or purple in colour, this is an indication that the soil needs to
be improved.
With the larger types
the leaves can become very tired and shabby in appearance as the season
progresses. The damaged leaves can be removed to encourage the production
of new fresh foliage.
If flowering stems are
removed as they come to the end of flowering, this will encourage the
production of new flowers, although if faded flower-heads are left on the
plant to produce seed, the plants will freely self-seed.
|
|
Propagation: -
Sow the seed of Aquilegias in a tray
in the cold frame as soon as it is ripe. The seed of alpine aquilegia
may take up to 2 years to germinate. Aquilegias
will freely self-seed if seed is allowed to mature on the plants. This can
pose a problem if a vigorous plant of poor colour and form is allowed to
self seed, or to cross-fertilise with more desirable specimens.
|
|
To avoid the
disappointment of failures when trying to raise plants from seed, in the
UK the
following Aquilegia can be obtained as established young plants from
Thompson
& Morgan: -
|
|
|
Aquilegia
Black Collection
|
'William
Guinness Double' is a striking plant with pleated, double blooms in
white and deep purple. Height 60 cm (2 feet). Aquilegia viridiflora has
nodding, chocolate-brown blooms produced late spring to early summer.
Height 30 cm (12 inches).
|
|
Aquilegia
Green Apples
|
The first green
flowered Aquilegia with a spectacular clematis-like flower formation.
The buds open to reveal a delightful shade of lime green, gradually
fading to apple-green, before ageing to subtle cream. Aquilegias are
familiar cottage garden favourites, their subtle charm adding an air of
elegant femininity to borders.
|
|
Aquilegia
Nora Barlow
|
Masses of fully-double,
nodding flowers in suffused red, pink and green arranged in perfect
symmetry. Flowers late spring/ early summer. Aquilegias are familiar
cottage garden favourites, their subtle charm adding an air of elegant
femininity to borders.
|
|
Aquilegia
Pom Poms Mixed
|
Stunning Aquilegias resonant
of Victorian times. These short spurred or spurless flowers have up to
16 tiers of petals that produce a unique pom-pom effect in shades from
the palest pinks through bicolours, to deepest crimson and cerise.
|
|
Aquilegia
Sweet Rainbows
|
Sweet Rainbows is just what
the name suggests; beautifully fragrant flowers in a rainbow of
exquisite colours. It’s a real achievement in plant breeding, and the
result of combining the very best qualities of a full range of top
Aquilegias selected for form, colour and fragrance. They’re charming
border plants and make excellent cut flowers too. Supplied in 2 inch
mock terracotta pots.
|
|
Aquilegia
William Guinness Doubles
|
'William
Guinness Double' is a striking plant with pleated, double blooms in
white and deep purple.
|
|
Aquilegia
clematiflora Mixed
|
An enthralling
selection of new Aquilegias, with flowers resembling double flowered
Clematis. Excellent cottage garden plants in a superb range of colours,
that flower all summer and make an interesting cut flower. Will grow in
any soil in full sun or part shade.
|
|
Aquilegia
viridiflora
|
Aquilegia
viridiflora has nodding, chocolate-brown blooms produced late spring to
early summer.
|
|
|
|
Fully Hardy
Pests & Diseases: - If
the plants become too dry they may suffer with mildew. Leaf
miner and various small caterpillars can attack the leaves, but cause no
major harm, affected leaves can be removed without causing the plants any
distress, as can any leaves which show signs of mildew.
|
|
I have always grown Aquilegia in
my many gardens, and feel that my garden is incomplete if I do not
have one or two plants to carry the flowering season through from the
end of the spring flowering bulbs and until the later flowering plants
of summer come into their own. Their nodding heads of flowers held on
thin wiry stems wave in the breeze and add a little movement to the
flower borders. As a gardener who seeks to promote wildlife, I
have found that Aquilegia provide a source of nectar for newly early
emergent bees, butterflies and other insects when little else is in
flower.
I have noted that on compacted
clay soils my plants had a tendency to produce deep purple leaves, and
limp through the year, this was always indicative of the poor soil I
was expecting the plants to grow in, and served as a reminder of where
I should direct my attentions in seeking to improve soil condition |
This page was last updated on 12/03/2005
| |