Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Aquilegia Columbine Blue
Aquilegia Columbine Blue
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Aquilegia 'Columbine Blue' Seeds
If you have a shady corner or a gap after your tulips have faded, Aquilegia is the solution. This traditional blue variety produces elegant, nodding flower heads with long, curved spurs that resemble a circle of doves whispering together.
Known affectionately as "Granny's Bonnet," it brings a sense of timeless, woodland charm to any garden. The violet-blue flowers hover above mounds of fern-like, blue-green foliage, creating a soft, airy effect. It is one of the few colourful plants that thrives in shade, making it invaluable for planting under trees or in north-facing borders.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Aquilegia is a Hardy Perennial.
It is a "short-lived" perennial, meaning individual plants usually live for 3-4 years. However, they are prolific self-seeders. If you leave the flower heads on, they will drop seeds and create new "babies" for free, ensuring you have a permanent colony in your garden.
The Name: The name *Aquilegia* comes from the Latin for Eagle (*Aquila*), as the spurs look like eagle's talons. But the common name *Columbine* comes from the Latin for Dove (*Columba*). Whether you see eagles or doves depends on your imagination!
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
These seeds benefit from a little "cold shock" to wake them up.
Germination:
For best results, place the seed packet in the fridge for 2 weeks before sowing. Then, sow indoors from February to May. Sow on the surface of moist compost and cover very lightly (they need light). Germination takes 3-4 weeks.
Where to Sow:
They love partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil is moist. They hate dry, baking hot soil.
Care While Growing:
Cut Back: After the first flush of flowers in June, cut the foliage right back to the ground. It looks harsh, but the plant will produce a fresh mound of beautiful leaves within weeks, keeping it looking tidy all summer.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Aquilegia vulgaris |
| Common Name | Blue Columbine / Granny's Bonnet |
| Hardiness | H7 (Very Hardy Perennial) |
| Light Required | Part Shade or Sun ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 60cm - 80cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 40cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 40cm apart |
| Great for | 🌲 Shady Borders 🐝 Bees 🏡 Cottage Gardens 💐 Spring Bouquets |
| Seed Count | Approx. 50 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Aquilegia blooms in the "May Gap" and pairs beautifully with fresh whites to brighten up shade:
- ☁️ Ammi Majus (Bishop's Flower): The Baton Change. The tall, white lace of Ammi begins to bloom just as the Aquilegia is finishing, taking over the display and keeping the border looking fresh.
- ⚪ Achillea 'The Pearl': The Button Mix. The pure white, button-like flowers of Achillea contrast wonderfully with the complex, bell-shape of the blue Aquilegia. Both thrive in a relaxed cottage border.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors Spring/Autumn. Flowers May to June.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | 🌱 | ||||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Aquilegia is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list. The long spurs are specifically designed for long-tongued bumblebees, providing them with a vital early-summer food source.
