Mr Fothergills - Pictorial Packet - Flower - Aquilegia Petticoat Pink - 50 Seeds

Product Information

Columbines grow in a wide variety of soil types providing they don’t get too dry or too wet in winter. They will grow in full sun or part shade. One of their chief requirements is that do not get too crowded in. allow them some air around the crown and see that other plants don’t flop over the top of them. They are not terribly long lived, but will seed themselves around in areas they are happy. Aquilegias do not require much care. They will happily flower year after year and self-seed so that you always have new plants. Do keep them watering in very hot dry spells, especially if they are in full sun. Most Aquilegias do well in full sun, however, they do not like the combination of heat and dry soil, so water them regularly if they are in a sunny position. Mulching will help to keep the roots cool.

The larval stages of the sawfly can defoliate aquilegia plants, leaving only the leaf veins and stalks.

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Seeds can be sown directly in their final flowering position throughout spring. If possible, get some seeds from a friend or fellow gardener as the seeds have a short period of viability meaning commercial seeds sometimes fail to germinate. Failing this, you can buy some plants and then scatter the seeds once they have flowered to generate more plants. This is a spurless variety with deep, maroon flowers that look wonderful with the bright green foliage. It prefers light shade and grows to around 90cm (35 inches) tall. Aquilegia ‘Ruby Port’

Performs best in full sunto part shade, in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Seriously dislikes poorly drained soils! Rich, moist soilsin part shadeare preferred. Do not let the soil dry out.

This double flower resembles a frilly petticoat. It is cerise at the base and white at the petal tips. A gorgeous addition to an old-fashioned cottage garden, this is a shorter variety growing to a maximum height of 60cm (23 inches). DAYS TO GERMINATION: 21-28 days at 70-75°F (21-24°C). Refrigerate seed for 5 days prior to planting. Light aids germination. Outdoors, soil temperature must be above 65°F.

Columbines are one of those plants that has a very long history of cultivation. It is mentioned in writings of Thomas Tusser in 1580, John Parkinson in 1629 and in Chaucer and Shakespeare’s Hamlet. SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Prefers light shade and humus-rich, well-drained soil. Will tolerate full sun where summers are cool and plants can be kept watered. The plant thrives in USDA zones 10 to 11 but in cooler regions it can survive in microclimates or in protected situations with some extra care in case of freezing temperatures. Aquilegia gets its name from the Latin ‘aquila’ meaning eagle. This is a reference to the shape of the flowers, which have curved spurs reminiscent of an eagle’s talons. Interestingly the common name, Columbine, also comes from a bird, this time the dove. It is true that the flowers do look a little like birds with their wing-like petals and arching spurs. Once the plant is mature, pink petticoat plant care is minimal with the exception of pruning to prevent overtaking of the garden space, occasional watering in summer, and feeding in early spring.

Aquilegia Varieties

Intense, violet-blue, fully double flowers are a rare sight in late spring and early summer—but this is just what Aquilegia 'Blue Barlow' gives you. The deep blue sepals make a vibrant contrast to the yellow stamens in the centre of the slightly nodding, almost pompom-like flowers. The dense, spiky petals are held in place, not unlike an eagle’s claw—hence the name Aquilegia ( aquila is eagle in Latin). Columbines used to be extensively used in times of Chaucer and Shakespeare as garnishes for food and as ingredients in medicines. Their use stopped, according to Linnaeus, when one too many children died from excessive intake. It is not used today. Tecomanthe is a group of tropical rainforest plants. As such, they prefer low to medium light, humus rich soil, high humidity, and even moisture. Soil fertility should be quite high and in low nutrient soils, fertilizing annually is recommended. If your plant is affected, destroy all fallen leaves and plant debris to reduce the chance of spores affecting new growth in spring.

The pure-white flowers of this variety make it a cottage garden favourite. It prefers full sun and flowers from May to June reaching a height of 85cm (33 inches). LIGHT PREFERENCE: Part Shade. Will tolerate full sun where summers are cool and plants can be kept watered. Aquilegia like deep soil but they are unfussy about the type. They will grow in clay as long as they don’t become waterlogged in winter. Some varieties that originate in alpine regions prefer well-drained loam. Fertiliser requirementsMay be grown from seed sown directly in the garden in spring (after the danger of frost has passed). Division is possible in spring, but it may take some time for the plant to recover. To prevent powdery mildew ensure your plant has good growing conditions. It should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Do not overfeed as this can encourage lush, sappy growth that is susceptible to pests and diseases. Using a mulch can help keep the plant moist. Aquilegia is a favourite of the cottage garden as it provides good spring interest. Early flowering varieties go well with spring bulbs and primroses. May flowering varieties look good with tulips and alliums. White varieties lighten shade and contrast with the cool greens of a shady spring garden. As many tolerate shade they go well with other shade lovers such as hostas, hellebores and bleeding hearts. The dramatic maroon and cerise varieties look excellent against green foliage such as ferns.