Aquilegia vulgaris 'William Guiness'
Oriental columbine, granny's bonnet (syn William Guinness)
The striking maroon-black bonnets of Aquilegia 'William Guinness' contrast superbly with the white corolla. The deep purple spurs of this ‘stout’ cottage garden perennial are carried on wiry stems, set above finely divided foliage.
Perfect for en-masse in borders and shady woodland edges, this columbine also makes an attractive cut flower subject for an indoor vase.
Perfect for en-masse in borders and shady woodland edges, this columbine also makes an attractive cut flower subject for an indoor vase.
How to care for Aquilegia vulgaris William Guiness:
Plant Aquilegia in sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained soil. It's tolerant of a range of soil types and will often self-seed if happy, creating natural-looking drifts.
Remove faded flower stems to tidy the plant or leave them to self-seed.
Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5–7cm (2–3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant. Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they don't like having their roots disturbed.
Remove faded flower stems to tidy the plant or leave them to self-seed.
Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5–7cm (2–3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant. Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they don't like having their roots disturbed.
Sowing instructions:
In autumn, surface-sow on moist compost in small pots or seed trays and keep them in a greenhouse or cold frame at 15-20°C (59-68°F). Germination can be slow (up to 3 months) but seedlings should be thinned out as they grow on and over-wintered under glass before planting out after hardening off in spring. Alternatively, spring sowing can be undertaken as before, often without the need for heat.
Alternatively, spring sowing can be undertaken as before, often without the need for heat.
Alternatively, spring sowing can be undertaken as before, often without the need for heat.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.75m
Eventual spread:
0.4m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
approx 40 seeds
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