Aquilegia olympica

OLYMPIC COLUMBINE

Aquilegia olympica
OLYMPIC COLUMBINE

Aquilegia olympica is a special Columbine.

Larger than usual Columbine flowers

The Olympic Columbine has larger than average blooms.

Taller then usual blooms

With large blooms held on taller than usual, branching flower stems (up to 90cm. tall) – so each plant puts up an great show of dancing blooms like twirling ballerinas high in the air.

Charming blue & white old-fashioned Columbines

Aquilegia olympica has a particularly appealing colour combination.
Curvaceous white skirts are surrounded by large, long and wide blue wings.
And backed by short curving spurs – utterly charming.
The big blue wings (sepals) can vary from sky-blue to deep royal blue.
Contrasting superbly with the crisp white short skirts (corollas).

Prolific displays of flowers spring into summer

Olympic Columbine blooms prolifically from spring into summer.
With the lovely colouring and larger, taller blooms on their big, branching heads, stealing the garden show.

Hardy evergreen perennial clump

Aquilegia olympica forms a hardy, evergreen perennial, rounded clump of attractive scalloped leaves.
Clumps make excellent groundcover all year round.

Frost & heat hardy

Olympic Columbines are native to Iran, Turkiye, and the Caucasus region.
So they are naturally frost and heat hardy, and adapted to hot summers and cold, frosty winters.
Olympic Columbines grow in Spruce forests in the wild.
Hence they have particularly robust and deep tap roots – so they can compete with the trees for water – and grow happily under the evergreen conifers.

Dry shade tolerant

They can also tolerate some dry once established, particularly when they are given some shade.
So they can happily grow in the shade of trees untended with the aid of their deep tap roots.
Plant Aquilegia olympica in Shade to ½ Shade for preference.
Though they can also tolerate more sun in cooler climates, and especially when they are mulched for summer.

Evergreen perennial clump

Aquilegia olympica forms an evergreen perennial clump.
Approx. 90cm High with large Columbine flowers  30cm Wide attractive foliage clump.

Useful for florists

Aquilegias are very charming in bouquets and floral arrangements.
To give the cut stems maximum vase life – First sear the stem ends in boiling water and then stand them in deep cold water for several hours before using in an arrangement.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow any time indoors in punnets, when suitable temperatures can be provided.
OR
Scatter directly in garden in autumn and winter.
Aquilegias germinate easily in the garden after winter chilling.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Barely cover the seeds with sieved mix, because these seeds need light to germinate,

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight).

Temperatures of 15- 20°C. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a heated mat if you have one, to maintain suitable temperatures.

Now continue to keep consistently moist by misting regularly with a spray water bottle.
A clear plastic cover or bag will also help to maintain consistent moisture.

Seeds germinate in 10-30 days.

However if there is no germination in 4 weeks, then it means the seeds have entered their natural dormancy.
So cling-wrap the moist, sown punnet and keep it in fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.
Then return to the well-lit position at 15-20°C.

Seedlings may begin to germinate in 10 days.
But do not discard the punnet as some seeds will continue to germinate for up to 30-90 days.
And this is perfectly natural for this plant.

Seed Count: 10 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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