Granny's Bonnet

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata Blue Barlow

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: May to June
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  

  A popular plant among garden designers, this lovely grannys bonnet has beautiful, fully double, spur-less soft pink flowers in late spring above fern-like green leaves. The violet-blue blooms look particularly lovely against silver foliaged plants, and it is equally at home planted with cottage garden flowers or among grasses. It is happiest in soil that retains moisture over the summer. It is quite short-lived, but self-seeds freely, though it rarely becomes a nuisance.
  

• Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant. Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they dont like having their roots disturbed. Contact with the sap may cause skin irritation.