Aquilegia vulgaris

‘Woodside Strain’

WOODSIDE

VARIEGATED GRANNY BONNETS

Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Strain’
WOODSIDE VARIEGATED GRANNY BONNETS

Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Strain’ produces very unusual plants of the much loved, old fashioned Granny Bonnets.

Spangled cream & gold leaves

Unusual because ‘Woodside Strain’ produces fabulous mottled and splashed leaves.
So every leaf displays yellow and cream spangles against a dark green background.

Light up gloomy spots

But even better – no two plants are alike in their foliage markings.
So the spangled foliage can range from just a little cream lacing on the green leaf, to leaves that glow with gold, just rimmed with a little deep green.
Making every seedling a new adventure.

Old world Granny Bonnets flowers

Flowers can range in colour from deep blue, through purple, lavender, pink and white.
Though the blooms are delightfully old-world, with the traditional Granny Bonnet shape.

Lovely cut flowers for floristry

Flowers are held in sprays on slender 60cm stems, well above the fabulous foliage.
And they make excellent cut flowers for floristry.

Happy under trees & shrubs or in the open

Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Strain’ enjoys Full Sun to Shade, and is happy to co-habit with taller trees and shrubs.
And in fact some shade is preferred because it achieves the best colour variation in the wonderful foliage.

Frost, heat & dry shade hardy

‘Woodside Strain’ is both frost and heat hardy.
And also tolerates some dry once established.

Ignored by rabbits & deer

‘Woodside Strain’ is rarely troubled by any pests and diseases, and is ignored by rabbits and deer who dislike the taste apparently.

But bees & pollinators love the nectar rich flowers

However bees and other useful pollinating insects adore the nectar rich flowers.

60cm. High in pretty flower x 40cm. Wide clump of evergreen, fabulous foliage.
It is a hardy, evergreen perennial clump, with that gorgeous foliage all year round.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow seeds any time indoors in punnets whenever suitable temperatures are available (15- 24°C).
OR
Scatter directly in garden in autumn and winter.
Aquilegias germinate easily in the garden after chilling by the cold of winter.

Sow indoors for optimum germination & quick early plants: First sow the seeds on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Now pat gently to ensure good contact with the mix.
Then barely cover the seeds with sieved mix.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

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

Then place the sown punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight).
You can use a heat mat if you have one to maintain optimum temperatures.

Temperatures of 15- 24°C approx. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.

Seedlings may begin emerging as soon as 10 days, but may continue for 21-28 days.

However if there is no germination after 4 weeks it means the seeds are naturally dormant and require a period of chilling.
So wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling-wrap and keep in fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.
Then return to a well lit position at 15-24C for germination.
However do not discard the punnet as seeds will continue to germinate for a staggered period after the chilling.

Seed Count: 40 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

Click here for Nursery Open Days & Open Gardens Information
https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

Click here to go back to Seeds Shop
https://www.seedscape.net.au/shop/