What on Earth is a semi-aquilegia? I don't know but I bought one yesterday: semi-aquilegia
ecalcarata 'Sugar Plum Fairy', and what a perfect name for it. It has leaves very much like the more usual
aquilegia, (also known as the columbine or Granny's Bonnet), but a very different flower habit to any that I have ever seen before. The flowers, also, do not have the pixie-hat spurs at the back of them. 'Sugar Plum Fairy' grows tall on stalks that criss-cross and weave in the breeze; and is very elegant, and very pretty. Had to have it. I have just the place for it, I hope. My perennial border in my rather small garden is getting rather busy.
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Semi-aquilegia ecalcarata 'Sugar Plum Fairy'
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Believe it or not, aquilegias belong to the Ranunculacea family, just like the clematis that I mentioned in my previous post about
clematis Gillian Blades.
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| Close up of a flower of semi-aquilegia ecalcarata 'Sugar Plum Fairy' |
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| Bird's-eye view of semi-aquilegia ecalcarata 'Sugar Plum Fairy' |
The description on the labels says Semi-aquilegia
ecalcarata 'Sugar Plum Fairy': Is a fully hardy plant with charming pink-purple lantern-shaped flowers in early summer. It is ideal for cottage-style or mixed borders and rockeries. Height 40cm (16in) x Spread 30cm (12in). It needs a moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
NOTE: The label warns not to cut off the flowers after they fade but to leave them and allow them to set seed so that these
short-lived perennials can spread naturally. I think I shall sow some of the seeds in a pot, just to be safe.
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| Leaves of semi-aquilegia ecalcarata 'Sugar Plum Fairy' |
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| Leaves of semi-aquilegia ecalcarata 'Sugar Plum Fairy' |