Aquilegia caerulea ‘Sunshine’

SUNSHINE DOUBLE COLUMBINES

Aquilegia caerulea ‘Sunshine’
SUNSHINE DOUBLE COLUMBINES

Aquilegia caerulea ‘Sunshine’ is unique and gorgeous amongst the Columbine family.

Sunshine yellow double Columbines

The colour of these delightful double blooms is just what the name says – sunshine yellow.
So they glow in the shade under trees and shrubs.

Fluffy double skirts & long graceful spurs

And the form of the flowers is gorgeous too – with fluffy double tiered skirts, and loooong, graceful swept back spurs.

Blooms prolifically from spring into summer

‘Sunshine’ is noted as being a particularly long blooming Columbine, glowing with flowers from mid-spring into early-summer.
And each stem is clustered with a mass of sunshine flowers – so it is also noted as being a prolific and mass bloomer.

Hardy evergreen perennial clump

Aquilegia caerulea ‘Sunshine’ forms a neat, low, evergreen perennial clump of foliage.
With the large flower heads borne well above the foliage mound.
It is very a very showy plant when in bloom, and a foliage asset all year.

Frost & heat hardy

Sunshine Double Columbines are frost and heat hardy.
And can also tolerate some dry once established. Particularly when they are grown in some shade, which is their natural habitat.
There they can happily grow untended.

Handy under trees & shrubs

Plant Aquilegia caerulea ‘Sunshine’ in Shade to ½ Shade for preference.
It naturally dwells amongst trees and shrubs.
However it can also tolerate Full Sun in cooler climates, if it is well mulched for the summer.

Lovely bunches of cut flowers for vases

Aquilegias make good cut flowers and look charming in a vase.
And they have a vase life of approx. 7 days.
Vase life is best if the stems are cut when the buds are just beginning to open, then they open in the water and last best.

Give a bunch of happiness

In the old Victorian language of flowers, by sending a bunch of Aquilegias to a friend you were offering your protection and happiness.

Evergreen perennial clump of attractive foliage

Perennial clump approx. 60cm. High in long spurred flower x 30cm. Wide attractive clump of evergreen foliage.

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.
Because these seeds need light to germinate, so barely cover the seeds with sieved mix.

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet.
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 moist by misting regularly with a spray water bottle.
You can also cover the punnet with a clear plastic lid to help maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.
But remove the lid when germination commences.

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

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