Aquilegia Fragrans
Aquilegia Fragrans (Columbine) Granny’s Bonnet) A perfect early summer flowering perennial for the Scottish garden.
Columbines a genus of about seventy species from the northern hemisphere. Leaves are often glaucous blue/green, deeply divided and fernlike.
Flowers of Aquilegia are distinctive and usually bell shaped, borne singly or in short panicles on leafy stems. Those new to gardening could be forgiven for thinking this beauty was a tender plant that may be reserved for the experienced gardener. However this is most definitely not the case.
Look out for the old favourite Mckana, beautiful spurred flowers in a range of bicolours, including, blue-yellow-salmon-pink-white and lemon.
One extra special columbine, is the very beautiful (Fragrans). As the name suggests the flowers are very fragrant, leaves are more finely divided and delicate on this one, flowers are creamy white and blue tinted. If I had to choose only one Aquilegia for the garden, this would be the one.
The single plant which we have had in our garden for six years is starting to weaken. I was informed in the past that the seeds of Fragrans is sterile, I am not so sure as a search for the plant does bring up suppliers of the seeds. I have been on the look out for this one in the Garden Centres without any luck, if you have spotted it, please get in touch.
In actual fact I have just managed to find a supplier for plants of Aquilegia Fragrans – Mail order (and have been assured that they do come true from seed)
Height – 15cm/90cm
Position – Full sun/Partial shade in fertile moist yet well drained soil
Hardiness – Fully hardy and reliable down to minus 15 degrees
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A couple of days ago I managed to get my first pictures of garden birds. Hope to get some more maybe from through the kitchen window, that is when I find out how to turn off the flash.
Female Chaffinch
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Male Chaffinch
© 2011, Alistair. All rights reserved.
how fabulous…I put together a post on columbines (as I call them) this past weekend to be posted next Friday…I have so many kinds but not this one…I will have to be on the lookout for this variety….sounds wonderful!!!
Great minds think alike Donna, lol. You would be fond of this one, doesn’t like to be crowded out.
I love aquilegias too, and am trying “fragrans” from seed this year. I do prefer the simple flowered varieties to the very ruffled, though having said that have loads of “Black Barlow”.
Janet, I also prefer the more single ones, don’t have black barlow, we have one called nora barlow.
The pastel ‘bonnets’ looked lovely!
Hi Alistair – the addition of a fragrance to what is a favourite Spring flower (at least here in warmer climes) would be perfect. Only have the purple vulgaris version which arrived of its own accord and later added an alba.
Laura
p.s. the birds are obviously well fed. Do you not find squirrels come and take all the feed?
Laura, the squirrels used to shall we say, share the food, however the powers that be say that the greys are threatening the survival of the red squirrels and there has been a cull, haven’t seen a squirrel in the past three months, miss their antics.
Yay CommentLuv! Go Alistair! Now you can teach the others how to do it ;~)
I miss chaffinches from Swiss days. You asked someone if you should post a link to old posts you are reusing. A blog is virtual, you will always have new readers who haven’t seen your old posts. So dust it off, and republish it as a new post. If you really want to, you can say ‘from Sept 2009′ or whatever. If it was a good post, then it is worth bringing again for new readers to enjoy! I do that myself.
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I don’t think we have chaffinch here, yours are beautiful! I love the blueish tints. I noticed some aquilegia coming up in my backyard yesterday, though it is a different species. Great post!
Eliza @ Appalachian Feet recently posted..How to Find Great Plants- Issue 3
Thanks Eliza, ah now I see what commentluv does.
Those flowers look amazing. Love the shape.
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Hi Alistair, I love your blog so much, Im awarding you the Stylish Blogger Award, so do come and get it from my blog.
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p3chandan, Well, I am honoured