Mr Fothergills - Pictorial Packet - Flower - Aquilegia Petticoat Pink - 50 Seeds

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The plant thrives in USDA zones 10 to 11 but in cooler regions it can survive in microclimates or in protected situations with some extra care in case of freezing temperatures. Until recently aquilegia were not prone to many diseases. However, there is a new disease, downy mildew, which is virulent and has no chemical control. The Touchwood National Collections of Aquilegias have been severely affected. Pests

This is a cottage garden favourite and provides an abundant display of long, spurred, red and yellow flowers in late spring. It prefers full sun and will reach a height of 80cm (31 inches).

A collection of pages offering advice

The sawfly lays its eggs on the undersides of the leaves. When they hatch in spring the larvae start to munch the leaves from the edges towards the midveins. They look like grubby caterpillars but develop into a non-stinging wasp-like fly. Add well-rotted manure or humus when planting. These can also be applied as a mulch. Pruning advice Columbines are one of those plants that has a very long history of cultivation. It is mentioned in writings of Thomas Tusser in 1580, John Parkinson in 1629 and in Chaucer and Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

This is a wine-red double spurless variety. It can range from 60-90cm (23-35 inches) in height and flowers well, even in shade.As one of our native plants, aquilegia vulgaris are well adapted to most of our garden soils and conditions. They prefer a moist, well-drained soil and are happy in sun or dappled shade. They do not need much fertiliser, if the leaves are too lush they can be susceptible to fungal disease, so make sure there is plenty of air circulation around the plants. Some of the cultivars bred from North American forms prefer to be in a more open sunny position. This is a remarkably self-sufficient vine. Few pests and disease issues occur. In fact, the biggest problem you may have are birds making their nests in the tangled stems. The best situation for this vine is in an area where it can be allowed to do its thing without much restraint. Aquilegias are not prone to many pests. The leaves are poisonous so many species will not eat them. Even slugs and snails won’t touch the leaves, though they may occasionally eat the non-poisonous flowers, especially of large white varieties. Leaf miners and aquilegia sawfly can sometimes be a problem.