Aquilegia vulgaris

var. atrata

THE DARK COLUMBINE

Aquilegia vulgaris var. atrata
THE DARK COLUMBINE

Aquilegia vulgaris var. atrata has perhaps the darkest, mysterious, closest to black flowers in all the wonderful world of Aquilegias.

Deepest velvety black colouring

Because of it’s deepest, velvety burgundy-black colouring.

Long & late blooming

Aquilegia vulgaris var. atrata blooms prolifically from spring into summer.
And is noted for blooming later than most other members of the family.
So it is especially useful for the glorious, unusual colour of course.
But also for extending the season of Columbines in the garden.

Hardy in cold & heat

Aquilegia vulgaris var. atrata forms a hardy, evergreen perennial clump.

It is frost hardy and can tolerate severe frost down to below -20C.
And it is also heat hardy.

Water-wise

It can also tolerate some dry once established. Particularly when it is given some shade, which is it’s natural habitat. There it can happily grow untended.

Perfect under trees & shrubs

Plant Aquilegia vulgaris var. atrata in Shade to ½ Shade for preference.
Because it naturally dwells amongst trees and shrubs or on the edge of scrubby clearings.
However it can tolerate Full Sun in cooler climates. Particularly if it is well mulched for the summer.

Hardy evergreen

Hardy evergreen perennial clump approx. 80cm High in long spurred flower x 30cm Wide attractive foliage clump.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow Aquilegia vulgaris var. atrata at any time indoors in punnets, whenever suitable temperatures are available (15-20C).
OR
Scatter directly in garden in autumn and winter.

Aquilegias germinate easily in the garden after chilling over winter.

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 up to the surface of the mix from below.

And place in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sun).
Temperatures of 15- 20C. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.

Now continue to keep consistently moist by misting with a spray water bottle regularly.

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 15-20C.

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

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