Guest Author - Hellie T.

Often called Grannies Bonnets or Wild Columbine, Aquilegia Vulgaris has been grown in England since 1600.

They are very hardy, perennial, clump-forming plants that have lovely grey/green foliage and grow to 36 inches.

The flowers can be pink or purpley/blue and they look good when planted with shrubs or in borders with irises or poppies.
They can be used to effect with tulips for as the tulips die back the aquilegias grow up to help cover the fading leaves.

Cultivation
Aquilegia Vulgaris likes moist soil but it has to be well drained.
They do best in partial shade but will grow readily in full sun if you have dug in plenty of well rotted compost and as long as you remember to water them regularly.
They do not like their roots to dry out.
They are not fussy as to the type of soil it can be chalky or acidic.

All Aquilegias self seed very easily so nip the seed heads off before they go brown, if you do not want this to happen.
The flower heads can be removed to extend their flowering period.

Should they develop mildew through lack of water then cut back to the ground and the plant will happily regrow.

Keep the varieties apart from one another if you want them to stay true, as they readily hybridise amongst themselves!

Aquilegias can be divided in autumn and winter or you can sow seed in spring or autumn.


Another variety of Aquilegia Vulgaris worth a mention is Nora Barlow sometimes called the Rose Columbine and dates from the seventh century.

It is an English garden favourite with lovely reddish/pink and pale green blooms, like little pom poms and has a scent of hay.

It is very good as a cut flower and the Victorians who were very fond of them, used to grow them amongst shorter perennials beside paths where they could clearly be appreciated.

In the past Culpepper noted that Columbines were used to treat sore throats and as an antiseptic. Today you all parts are considered poisonous and therefore should not be eaten.


Enjoy your garden!