Granny's Bonnets?

Good old garden favourite with everyone, except after a few years of self seeding!!
Aquilegia are an easy plant for anyone to grow but dead-heading is essential to prevent a takeover situation and promiscuity on a large scale!!

Aquilegia 'Hensoll Harebell'

Aquilegia 'McKanna Hybrids'

Aquilegia buergeriana 'Calimero'

So who would not enjoy all the variations in size both of the flowers and plants. The jolly colour variations, along with the double varieties as well.

Some come with long spurs, or spurless.

Aquilegia 'Greenapples'

Aquilegia chrysantha 'Yellow Queen'

Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'

Aquilegia 'Ruby Port'

Aquilegia 'William Guiness'

If you do not want to be overrun by young plants do deadhead by cutting off old flower stems before they get dry and brown. this way you will remove all the seed which tends to have a 100% germination rate!!




Old plants are possible to lift and split if you are wanting to keep true varieties. This is best done in autumn if you are on light soils or early spring on heavier soils..
There are alpine varieties which grow only 15-20cm both high and wide which prefer free draining soil and a sunny site. Aquilegia alpina, Aquilegia buergeriana 'Calimero' are just two such plants.
Most of the other varieties are 45-60cm flowering height with a spread about 45cm. These will tolerate part shade and the seedlings will grow anywhere they have not read the book??