Aquilegia vulgaris

‘Woodside Strain’

WOODSIDE

GRANNY BONNETS

Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Strain’
WOODSIDE GRANNY BONNETS

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

‘Woodside Strain’ is rarely troubled by any pests and diseases, and is ignored by rabbits and deer who dislike the taste apparently.
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 / or scatter directly in garden in autumn and winter.
Aquilegias germinate easily in the garden after chilling by the cold of winter.

INDOORS: Sow seeds on the surface of good quality seed raising 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. Allow 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 direct sunlight)

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

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

However if there is no germination after 4 weeks it means the seeds are 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).

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