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 How to Grow Columbines © By Arlene Wright-Correll
Columbines are often called Grannies Bonnets or Wild Columbine, but their Latin name is Aquilegia Vulgaris and they have been around since they were grown in England since 1600. When they are planted in the correct part of your garden they will prove to be a very hardy, perennial, with clump-forming plants that have lovely grey/green foliage and grow to 36 inches. The flowers can be pink or purplish/blue color and they look good when planted with shrubs or in borders with irises or poppies. I like to use them where I plant tulips for as the tulips die back the aquilegias grow up to help cover the fading leaves.
Columbines 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 for they do not like their roots to dry out and they are not fussy as to the type of soil it can be chalky or acidic. All Columbine/Aquilegias self seed very easily so nip the seed heads off before they go brown, if you do not want this to happen and their 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 grow again in the same place. Keep the varieties apart from one another if you want them to stay true, as they readily hybridize amongst themselves! Columbine/Aquilegias can be divided in autumn and winter or you can sow seed in spring or autumn. If you like antique or old varieties then you should consider the variety named Nora Barlow which is sometimes called the Rose Columbine and dates from the seventh century.
It is an English garden favorite and it can be an American garden favorite 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 it is noted that Columbines were used to treat sore throats and as an antiseptic. Today all parts are considered poisonous and therefore should not be eaten.
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