Description of varieties and types of terry aquilegia, planting and care rules

Aquilegia is a perennial flowering bush belonging to the Buttercup family and numbering more than a hundred varieties. The plant, in addition to different species, has many names - columbine, eagle, magic elf flower and others, which were given for its unusual and fabulous shape. That is why many gardeners strive to grow aquilegia on their plots, and the unpretentiousness of the plant allows them not to make special efforts to do this.

Description of the plant

Aquilegia is a spreading bush reaching a height of 1 meter. The root system is strong, thick and well developed, usually not more than half a meter. The leaves are round, lacy, reminiscent of clover. Basal greens grow on long, dissected petioles; on stems they are sessile.

The flowers are drooping to the ground, double and large, can grow up to 10 centimeters. Most have elongated growths - spurs, which are used to collect nectar. The color scheme is different and can combine several shades.

Where does it prefer to grow?

The Elven Slipper prefers shady forests, mountain slopes or meadows. In the wild, aquilegia can be found in the Caucasus, Altai, Crimea, and the Far East. Outside Russia, the watershed blooms in alpine meadows, in America, and also in Europe.

Varieties of Barlow

Aquilegia Barlow is a hybrid of the common eagle and other hybrids, rarely found in the wild.

Barlow Pink

Flowers: bright red. Height: 80 centimeters. Flowering period: 2 months. Preferences: shady areas and high humidity.

Barlow Winky

Flowers: double, not drooping, of various colors. Height: 50 centimeters. Flowering period: May-August. Features: frost resistance and wind resistance.

Krista

Flowers: purple, drooping at the end of the day. Preferences: partial shade.

White

Similar to the variety Krista. The only difference: the color of the flowers is white.

Nora Barlow

Flowers: white-pink, sometimes white-red, with a dark core, large, double.Height: 70 centimeters. Shape: spreading.

Specifics of growing flowers

Aquilegia is very unpretentious, but there are still some peculiarities when growing.

Site selection and preparation

The ideal place for aquilegia is partial shade, since the complete absence of sun will reduce the number of flowers, and constant direct light will not only affect the brightness, but can be destructive for the plant. If there is no shadow on the site, then the seat should be shaded. It is better to choose loamy and moist soil. You should first dig up the bed and get rid of the weeds.

Preparation of planting material

Planting material, namely aquilegia seeds, collected immediately after falling, is wrapped in a damp cloth and left to ripen in a cold, dry place, possibly in the refrigerator, and then planted. If planting occurs with the help of seedlings, then the seeds are also allowed to ripen by cooling, and then the following preliminary steps are performed:

• lower the seed 3 centimeters into pre-prepared containers with soil;
• sprinkle a little peat on top;
• carefully pour warm water and cover with film to create a “greenhouse” effect;
• then water with a small amount of water every 2-3 days;
• after three weeks, having noticed the emergence of seedlings, the film should be removed;
• After 4 leaves appear, the seedlings are ready for planting in the garden.

Planting scheme

As already mentioned, there are two options for planting aquilegia: seeds and seedlings. Rules for planting seeds:

1. End of August - beginning of September:

• prepare the seat;
• place seeds;
• sprinkle with earth - about 1.5 centimeters;
• water a little;
• mulch with humus or peat.

2. In spring, after the snow melts: after cooling, sow the seeds in a prepared place, controlling the moisture balance.

Transplanting seedlings:

• in June: seedlings are planted in prepared soil at a distance of 20 centimeters from each other, trying not to damage the roots.

Plant care

In order for aquilegia to grow strong and healthy, you should follow basic rules of care.

Weeding and loosening the soil

Loosening the soil by no more than 20 centimeters is carried out after each watering or rain to prevent oxygen stagnation. You should also remember to weed when weeds appear.

Watering

Aquilegia loves humidity, but the plant should not be flooded. It is enough to water as soon as the soil dries. It is advisable to use irrigation products to simulate rain, since the leaves of the plant love to absorb raindrops. In rainy summers, additional moisture is not needed.

The soil

Aquilegia roots often break through the ground, so the plant needs to be replenished with soil annually, while removing an 8-centimeter layer of the old one.

Top dressing

The best time to apply organic or mineral fertilizers is cloudy or rainy weather. If the summer turns out to be sunny, then you should feed the aquilegia in combination with watering in the evening, and then shade it well for a day. Fertilizers are applied in May, June and after flowering.

How to care for aquilegia after flowering?

After flowering of the aquilegia, it is necessary to prune the shoots that have lost their vigor to a leaf rosette. Healthy cuttings will make excellent compost; infected and weak ones should be burned. Also, the period after flowering is the best time to divide the plant and collect seeds.

Winter care

Aquilegia is frost-resistant, however, when it reaches 5 years of age, the roots of the plant come to the surface and require shelter in winter.To do this, the bush should be mulched with humus and peat compost and sprinkled with fresh soil. Preparatory measures for cold weather should begin in the fall.

Trimming

As already mentioned, pruning of aquilegia is carried out after flowering to avoid random self-seeding and rejuvenate the bush.

Control of diseases and pests of aquilegia

The Elven slipper is susceptible to the following diseases:

• powdery mildew - appears with a lack of sunlight and high humidity. Prevention - treating greenery with a sulfur solution. Treatment – ​​folk and chemical means;
• mosaic is the most dangerous, incurable disease. If symptoms are detected, the bush should be dug up and burned;
• gray rot - at the initial stage it is possible to treat with Fundazol, if it is advanced - digging up the plant and further burning it.

Among the pests, aquilegia can be attacked by aphids, caterpillars and mites. Folk remedies or chemicals should be used against them. If left untreated, the plant may die in a couple of days.

Reproduction

The bush can be propagated in several ways.

Seeds

Aquilegia seeds are collected after flowering. To do this, the future “parents” should wear a gauze bag to collect seeds so as not to collect them from the ground. However, the chance of getting a flower identical to the mother is very low, since the plant interpollinates.

Dividing the bush

Dividing aquilegia is not the best method of propagation, as it can cause harm to the plant. An adult bush that has reached 5 years of age is suitable for this method:

• Divide the dug root into parts with a knife, leaving 3 buds on each;
• plant the divided root in the holes and water immediately;
• Feeding should be carried out only after grafting.

We take cuttings in the spring

The surest way to get the original appearance of a flower. To do this, use young spring shoots, cut off before the greenery blooms:

• cut the cuttings close to the soil;
• treat the cut with a root growth stimulating agent;
• fertilize the planting site with sand and peat and moisten it;
• Plant the cuttings a centimeter deep;
• the bed must be shaded;
• landing at a permanent place occurs in August.

Use in landscape design

Tall varieties of aquilegia go well with irises, bells, hostas, poppies and other flowers, while low varieties will advantageously decorate alpine slides, rockeries, and also complement carnations. In addition, it harmonizes with spruce and fir trees, and will also be an excellent decoration for a pond. Another interesting composition would be planting orlik of various colors and types.

Possible problems when growing terry aquilegia

The most important and dangerous problem is disease, due to improper care or pest invasion, from which the flower can die. However, prevention and timely treatment will help preserve the plant..