Distinctive Aquilegias

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 10 (Supplement)

Distinctive Aquilegias

Very seldom now do we see the old » fashioned, short spurred Aquilegia 5 vulgaris. The popularity of the infinitely more beautiful long spurred kinds has pushed the old type iuto the background. Of late years greater care has been taken in the selection of types and strains. We now have strains which cover a remarkablo range of colours, whilst maintaining an expanse of flower and length of spurs. It would be a misfortune, however, if in our admiration of delightful hybrids wo allowed noteworthy species to drop out of cultivation. A. glandulosa is a favourite with rock gardeners. Growing no more than one foot high it shears large flowers of rich blue and clean white. More should be seen of A. einseliana from Southern Europe, a species with really deep but effective blue flowers. There is a form of this, called Bertoloni, which comes from Northern-Italy. On those rugged rocks bordering the Mediterranean it makes H wovulerful show of colour in spring. There is no better way of increasing the stock of aquilegias than to sow seeds immediately they are ripe. It situations aro chosen where the young plants will suffer no disturbance except the thinning of overcrowded patches, they will do well. One of the greatest mistakes in aquilegia culture, is to try to establish adult plants. . Wounded roots seldom heal. Where it js impossible to raise seedlings on their permanent sites, the next best P' to sow in a well proparod frame bed. Trick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and transfer to • a permanent quarters immediately new growth starts in spring. Do not attempt to propagate by the division of old clumps. 'lheso old clumps, left undisturbed, may thrive for several vears, but nothing except mediocre stock will be obtained by Splitting the roots. The beauty of tie aquilegia is largely associated with the spurs; in fact a spur ess flower is likelv to throw one oft the track as to .the identity of the plant. I here, is, however, a race of so-cnlled Star Columbines, available for those who are attracted by them. This group is Aquilegia vulgaris stcllata, and can he obtained in both single and double flowered forms. The doubles are preferable as the singles are thin and ineffective. .