Columbine

Aquilegia Kristall

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, moist, but well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: May-June
• Flower colour: white
• Other features: finely divided grey or blue-green leaves
• Hardiness: fully hardy

  
  A strong growing columbine with nodding pure white flowers on upright stems. These appear in late spring and early summer in clusters of 5 -15 and have long spurs which can grow to 8cm in length. These long spurs are said to have evolved as a way of attracting pollinating insects.
  

• Garden care: Sow seeds in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or in spring, but they hybridise freely so they may be different to the parent plant. Remove spent flowers to prevent seed production if no new plants are wanted. Plants are sometimes short-lived so may need to be replaced every two to three years. Contact with sap may cause irritation.