Aquilegia planting and propagation care. Aquilegia (catchment) - planting, care, secrets of growing. How to propagate a catchment

Golden (Aguilegia chrysantha) is a perennial herbaceous plant with straight stems up to 100 cm tall. The leaves are light green, with small lobes. The flowers are graceful, numerous, 4 - 4.5 cm in diameter.

Aquilegia is a member of the Ranunculaceae family with white, blue or purple flowers of five petals. About 120 species of aquilegia are known, most of which grow wild. Aquilegia owes its name - catchment - to its ability to collect raindrops and dew in its corollas. By the way, aquilegia is considered a symbol of the American state of Colorado.

Growing Aquilegia

Aquilegia seeds are sown in May - June directly into the ground, lightly sprinkled with peat. Shoots appear on 15 - 20 days. Or in the fall, in October, immediately into open ground so that the aquilegia seeds undergo natural stratification.

For more efficient germination, aquilegia seeds must be exposed to low temperatures before sowing in seedling boxes. To do this, in March, the seeds are mixed with a small amount of soil and frozen in the snow or kept in the refrigerator for a week. After germination, the container with seedlings can be placed on the window. Winter sowing is also possible. Aquilegia prefers well-drained soils.

Planting seedlingsaquilegia should be done from late May to early June, when the threat of frost has passed, adhering to the following planting scheme: the optimal distance between plants in group planting is 30 x 35 cm.

Carefor aquilegia consists of watering, weeding, loosening the soil, and fertilizing. If pests occur, treat with insecticides. To prevent rot and fungal diseases, carry out preventive spraying with phytosporin, Bordeaux mixture or other drugs known to you.

Aquilegia blooms next year in June - July 30 - 35 days. Flowering is very abundant. For long flowering, pick off faded flowers, and during flowering, fertilize with mineral fertilizers containing the NPK complex.

The main topic in this article is aquilegia flowers planting and care. And another photo of my aquilegias (not included in the first article).

This columbine plant grows and blooms well in partial shade, so they look great under trees. A sunny place is also suitable for them, but in the hottest time of the day, it is still better if the catchment area is in the shade. Try to choose exactly these corners of your garden.

In the sun and in dry places, the flowers will begin to shrink, and, most importantly, the flowering time will shorten. I had a couple of bushes sown on their own on the south side of the house; in the spring they had such beautiful leaves that it was a pity to tear them out. But in the summer these bushes bloomed very briefly and quickly lost their decorative properties.

Therefore, remember, friends, that all types of watershed plants feel better under trees, in group plantings under the cover of other plants, under shrubs.

So, aquilegia - planting and care.

Aquilegia looks best with sufficient moisture in the soil, so a very suitable place is next to a garden pond. Plant a catchment plant near a pond or provide regular watering during drought. After flowering, cut off the aquilegia shoots by about a third. Some species may bloom a second time, although not so profusely, in late summer or early autumn.

Another piece of advice, since the catchment area is classified as a young plant, try to replace mature bushes by growing new, young plants in advance. It must be remembered that old bushes in the catchment area bloom worse, become less winter-hardy and therefore freeze out.

In old bushes (4-5 years old), the upper part of the rhizome rises about 8 cm above the soil. At this time, the process of dying off of the central part begins. New renewal buds begin to form along the periphery of the rhizome. They are usually weak and develop small rosettes of leaves. The process of degeneration of the bush begins. Try to let your aquilegia grow for no more than 4-5 years. Next, replace with new plants prepared in advance.

Aquilegia is propagated by dividing bushes, cuttings and sowing seeds.

If you once have these flowers, then aquilegia will continue to reproduce by self-sowing.

But propagate valuable specimens only by dividing the bush or by root cuttings, because aquilegia in the garden often crosses with other species and varieties.

Aquilegia in my pink, romantic flower beds

However, you need to know that propagation of the columbine plant by division is difficult because it has fragile roots. He tolerates transplantation very poorly as an adult. Division must be done extremely carefully and carefully.

But cross-pollination is not a minus at all; it can give you new varieties that you did not expect.

All species and varieties of the catchment are well propagated by seeds. Aquilegia seeds usually remain viable for 2-3 years, but propagation by fresh seeds is better. You can sow in open ground in April, but in the garden winter sowing of the catchment area is preferable. Spring seeds may not germinate in the same year.

This photo is not from my garden. Sent by a friend

If you plan to plant watershed plants in a group, maintain a distance between bushes of approximately 30 cm, although depending on the variety, there may be deviations from this figure.

Yellow aquilegia in my "Sunny Living Room". Closer to autumn, the candle-shaped flowers of buzulnik will be replaced by the chamomile flowers of buzulnik serrated growing nearby. And instead of this aquilegia, yellow chrysanthemums will bloom in lush bouquets.

The catchment blooms in the second year (although individual plants may bloom in the fall of the first year). In the second year, the bushes already delight you with beautiful flowers. And mass flowering in most aquilegias is observed in the third year of life.

If you want to collect aquilegia seeds from your garden, check the pods periodically. Squeeze them between your fingers. The pods may still look green, but once they split open, the seeds are ripe. After carefully picking them, place them on paper and leave to dry. Later the seeds fall out on their own. If you wait until the pods turn brown, many of the seeds will simply fall out onto the soil or, more often than not, they will be blown away by the wind.

The path to the gazebo is framed on both sides by pink romantic flower beds. Read about this in the section “I paint my garden with large strokes. Claude Monet.”, and also about the yellow “Sunny Living Room”.

Aquilegia or columbine is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant that is used to decorate the local area. He has a special charm. The appearance and structure of aquilegia flowers are very unusual; they look like a marvelous orchid from the tropics.

The catchment is quite unique. There are more than 120 varieties of it. This ornamental plant is also called dove. With proper care, your aquilegia will bring you joy every day. But in our country it is possible to grow only watershed hybrids.

Where is the best place to plant aquilegia?

Aquilegia prefers a shaded place, but this does not mean that it cannot grow in a well-lit area. A plant growing in a sunny location will not look as gorgeous and its flowers will be much smaller.

The catchment is unpretentious to the soil. It prefers light, loose soil with moderate moisture. It is advisable to fertilize it with humus or compost.

How to care for your watershed

It is necessary to systematically loosen and weed the soil. We must remember about watering. But the common aquilegia is unpretentious to water and can withstand dry conditions perfectly.

Feeding will not be superfluous; it should be carried out 1-2 times a year. Organic or mineral fertilizers can be used as fertilizing.

Growing a watershed in one area for more than 5 years is not recommended. After all, this can contribute to the formation of hybrids and reduce the decorative appearance of the flower. To prevent this situation after the aquilegia has flowered, you need to remove the flower stalks. The resulting seeds should be planted at a distance.

For earlier flowering it is necessary to use forcing. This agrotechnical technique is as follows: with the onset of autumn, it is necessary to transplant the rhizomes of aquilegia into ordinary pots or special flower containers.

Next, they must be placed in a dark room and left there until cold weather sets in. For the winter, the containers must be moved to a cold place. This could be a basement or a cold greenhouse. The plants should remain there until the end of January.

Then they should be placed in a warm, well-lit place. For growth and formation of flower stems, it is necessary to maintain 12-16° C. If all rules are followed, the plant will bloom in early April.

How to fertilize aquilegia

In summer, the catchment area must be fed with a solution of manure. You can also use superphosphate 25 g and potassium salt 8-13 g. To fertilize with this composition, you must observe the proportion: 1 bucket of fertilizer per 1 m².

How to propagate a catchment

Aquilegia can reproduce in the following ways:

Seeds. They are best planted immediately after picking, in the fall. Such sowing promotes friendly and active shoots. You can also sow the seeds in spring. To do this, it is better to freeze them slightly.

The first shoots will appear in a month. The optimal temperature for germination is no more than 18° C. Growing aquilegia from seeds is a fairly popular method.

Seedlings. The essence is the same as the first method. But it will take a little more time. But in the end you will get truly beautiful flowers. Seeds must be planted in specially prepared soil, for which soil, sand, and humus are used in proportions of 1: 1: 1.

First of all, the soil must be loosened, leveled, then watered and lightly compacted. You need to scatter the seeds on top and lightly cover them with soil using a strainer. It is best to do this in early spring.

The first shoots will appear in 14 days. The temperature should not be lower than 15-19° C. At the beginning, you should try not to over-moisten the soil. Excessive humidity can cause illness.

After a month, the seedlings should be moved to other boxes. After another 30 days it can be planted in open ground. Flowers can be used both this year and the next.

By cuttings. The columbine can be propagated by cuttings. A cutting is taken from the mother plant and planted in river sand to form roots. It is best to make a small greenhouse. You can also cover the flowers with film. We need to create penumbra.

Cuttings need regular sprinkling with water. Before planting, they must be treated with a growth-stimulating drug.

By dividing the bush. This method is used infrequently, since aquilegia is characterized by a certain fragility and deeply located roots. The method should be used in August or March, April.

The plant must be dug up, most of the leaves cut off, and the roots thoroughly washed. Next, leave several seven-centimeter cuttings and divide the tap root, making sure that each part contains small roots and buds.

Then plant them in loose, fertile soil. It is also necessary to observe regular watering.

Aquilegia is planted on the basis that there are 10 - 12 bushes per 1 m². The distance between plants should not be less than 30 cm. When planting, you need to take into account the age and variety of aquilegia.

What is wrong with the catchment? What insects can harm him?

The catchment is quite sensitive to the effects of some insects and diseases. It can be harmed by cutworms, leaf miners, spider mites, nematodes, aphids, gray mold, various types of spotting, powdery and rusty mildew. The latter are the most common diseases of aquilegia.

Having discovered the first signs of the disease, such as browning of leaves and white spots, the catchment must be treated with sulfur-containing products, which can be purchased at any flower shop.

Photo of aquilegia

If you want to make your plot and flower garden unusual and special, you can plant a delicate and fragile plant on it - aquilegia. This flower is not familiar to many people, but previously it was widely known and used in various fields, even in protection against witchcraft. Possessing bright and beautiful flowers, it will be an ideal decoration for a garden or flower bed. In this article we will look at the features of this unusual flower, and also provide characteristics of the main types and varieties of aquilegia, learn the intricacies of planting and caring for aquilegia in the open ground.

Aquilegia is a perennial herbaceous plant and belongs to the ranunculaceae family. The aquilegia flower has been known since the Middle Ages, when it was a regular guest in all household plots. This flower is mentioned in works of art: paintings and novels. It was previously used to ward off evil spirits. North America is considered its homeland, and in nature it can grow in the northern part of Europe. Therefore, our climatic conditions are quite pleasant for it. This flower has a very interesting feature - a large number of names. In addition to its Latin, which means “gathering water,” it is called columbine in England and America, “five birds together” in Austria, “elf’s slipper” in Germany, orlik or columbine in Russia. Today, you can increasingly see this flower in gardens, as the fashion for antiquity is returning. It has become especially popular to grow wild varieties of aquilegia to create natural-style gardens. In such areas there will be no need to loosen or drip, everything grows on its own. Description of aquilegia: This flower is a perennial plant, blooming mainly in the second year after planting. There are about 120 species of this plant in nature; only about 40 are cultivated in the garden. The height of aquilegia differs depending on the variety. The lowest is a fan, its height is 15-20 cm. Aquilegia has a two-year development cycle: in the first year a rosette is formed, and already in the second year leaves and a peduncle with beautiful and colorful flowers appear. Aquilegia leaves have an openwork shape and consist of three parts, which is why they are called trifoliate. The leaves are bluish-green in color and grow from a rosette on long cuttings. They reach 5 cm in length. The surface of the leaves has an unusual property - it is poorly wetted by water, it rolls down along them. The flower stalks of the plant are erect and quite strong. The flowers have a rather unusual shape: 5 pointed sepals and 5 funnel-shaped petals, which in most species end in spurs. The colors of the flowers are very diverse, it all depends on the specific variety. There are types of aquilegia with two-color flowers or even double ones. Aquilegia begins to bloom in early summer and lasts about a month. The fruit ripens in July, they are poisonous. Photo of aquilegia in the garden Flowerbed with double flowers: Aquilegia in nature: Flowerbed with aquilegia: Main types and varieties of aquilegia About 40 species of aquilegia are cultivated in the world, of which there are many different varieties. Hybrid aquilegia This group includes various varieties obtained from any crossing. Such plants are characterized by a thickened root at the base, as well as an erect stem with a large number of branches. They can reach a height of one meter, the average height is 50-100 cm. The leaves have a bluish bloom, sometimes variegated. The flowers are quite large, up to 10 cm in diameter. They can be simple or terry with long spurs. This group of varieties pleases with a variety of colors: from white to yellow and pink. They differ in that the spurs and petals of the flowers are different colors. Hybrid varieties of aquilegia originated mainly from crossing common aquilegia with American species: golden, Canadian, blue. Popular hybrid varieties of aquilegia: "McCans." They are distinguished by their high growth - reaching a height of 120 cm. This group includes flowers with a yellow, pink, purple, and lilac color. Nora Barlow - pink flowers. Black Barlow - black and purple flowers. Ruby Port - bright red flowers. Biedermeier - a wide variety of colors, double aquilegia flowers, low growth of the plant itself. Aquilegia vulgaris Meadows and forests are considered the usual habitat of this plant species. It can reach a height of 80 cm, a very branched plant - the crown grows by 40-50 cm. The leaves of Aquilegia vulgaris are green with a bluish tint. They are doubly trifoliate with a dissection. Flowers are usually solitary, medium in size - approximately 4-5 cm in diameter. This type of aquilegia blooms from June-July. Common aquilegia can often be found on abandoned ancient estates, since this species practically does not run wild. Currently, many decorative garden forms with different flower colors have been developed. Popular varieties: Flore Pleno Black - fairly tall plants that can grow up to 80 cm. This variety has double dark red, almost black flowers. Grannys Bonnet - also has double flowers with many purple-pink petals. Nivea - this variety boasts blue-violet flowers with white stripes. Peachy Woodside - this variety reaches a height of 75 cm, the flowers are peachy-pink. Green Apples - distinguished by unusual whitish-green flowers. Winky is the most popular variety and can even be grown in pots. A low-growing plant, only 35-50 cm in height. The flowers are dark pink and white-violet. Aquilegia sibirica This type of aquilegia is common in Siberia and prefers to grow in floodplain meadows and forests up to the alpine belt. The bush is lush with a large number of stems, the leaves have a reddish-green tint. Mostly the flowers are blue-purple in color. One of the varieties is “Adba” with white flowers. Aquilegia parviflora A distinctive feature of this species is the numerous flowers and their rather small size. Habitat is the territory of Russia, China, Mongolia. Prefers to grow on dry soils in deciduous forests, birch groves and on mountain slopes. It reaches only 30-40 cm in height, the stem is devoid of leaves. At the end of the stem, beautiful small flowers of a violet-blue hue are collected in inflorescences. Aquilegia fanata It grows naturally on the territory of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. The plant is short and medium in size. The average height is 15-60 cm. The leaves are located on long stalks and have a trifoliate shape. On a long peduncle there can be from 1 to 5 flowers, which are lilac-blue in color with a white border. Popular varieties: Alba and Nano Alba is a plant with snow-white flowers. Ministar - small blue-white flowers. White jewel - also has pure white flowers. In addition to the above, there are also popular types of aquilegia. These include Aquilegia Bertoloni, Discolor, Aquilegia green-flowered, Aquilegia Karelin. Aquilegia propagation Aquilegia can be propagated in three ways: by seeds, cuttings and dividing the bush. The most suitable way for this plant is to grow aquilegia from seeds, since the other two are quite painful for aquilegia. Propagation by seeds Aquilegia begins to be grown from seeds in the fall. To do this, it is necessary to dry the collected seeds and subject them to stratification at a temperature of +5 degrees. Next, they are scattered over the surface of the prepared soil, which is pre-moistened. The seeds are lightly sprinkled with earth and covered with glass or film. The first shoots should appear within 7-16 days. Too often, planted aquilegia seedlings need to be planted in deep containers for normal development of the root system. After germination, the seedlings are transferred from a cold place indoors and then they grow at room temperature. The main thing is not to put it in a very hot place. Seedlings are planted in open ground in May-June. Reproduction by dividing the bush This is a painful method of propagation, since the root system of aquilegia is very fragile and the plant does not tolerate transplantation well. It is usually used if you need to preserve some valuable plant form or variety. A bush no younger than 3 years old is suitable for propagation in this way. It should be dug out in early spring or autumn. This must be done very carefully so as not to damage the roots. After being removed from the ground, the roots are washed with water and all shoots are cut off, leaving only a couple of leaves. Then cut the plant into two parts so that there are buds and small roots on both sides. The cuts must be sprinkled with charcoal and planted in light, fertile soil. They will take a long time to take root. Reproduction by cuttings This method is carried out in the spring before the buds open. It is necessary to cut out a young shoot, treat the end with a special agent and plant it in the ground, covering it with a plastic bottle. The plant takes 3-4 weeks to take root, during which it needs to be ventilated and watered. After rooting, the cuttings should be dug up and planted in a permanent place. Preparations before landing This is a very important stage, since each plant requires its own growing conditions, a suitable place and soil. Aquilegia, although an unpretentious plant, still requires attention. Especially during landing. Selecting a location Aquilegia can grow both in open areas and in the shade. However, if you plant it in the full sun, you should not expect luxurious flowering. The flowers will be much smaller and the color will be duller. The optimal place for them will be partial shade. Before planting, plan what kind of composition you want to get. At the same time, choose the right varieties, focusing on flowering time and plant height. By correctly taking into account all the features of each variety, you will get a beautiful flower bed that will delight you with bright flowers. Soil selection To obtain a lush plant with bright flowers, you can choose light and fertile soil. To obtain this, mix the soil with compost and dig it thoroughly, saturating it with oxygen. Aquilegia loves moderately moist soil. Planting aquilegia in the ground Dig the soil thoroughly and fertilize it with compost. If you are going to plant several plants, make sure that there is 25-40 cm between them, it all depends on the variety and height of the aquilegia. Usually 10-12 plants are planted per square meter, but no more. Otherwise, they will drown out each other. The planting technique depends on the planting material. If you sow seeds directly into the ground, place them at a depth of half a centimeter. Seedlings are usually planted in May, after digging small holes for them. After planting aquilegia, the soil is moistened. Features of caring for aquilegia Caring for aquilegia is exactly the same as caring for any other flowering plant. It requires weeding, loosening, fertilizing and rare watering. Watering Aquilegia is an unpretentious plant and can thrive without water, as it has a long root system. However, you still shouldn’t deprive it of water. You need to water when the soil dries out. Weeding and loosening This flower loves loose and light soils, so periodically you need to loosen the soil around the plant. Be sure to remove weeds so that they do not interfere with the growth of the aquilegia. Top dressing The flower periodically needs to be supplemented with compost and also fertilized. Usually it is enough to feed aquilegia with mineral fertilizers 1-2 times per season. Every year you need to add fertile soil under the bushes for intensive growth. Trimming This procedure is carried out if you do not want random seed scattering. Then pruning should be done immediately after flowering. The stems are cut at the level of the basal leaves. With the help of this process, the plant retains its decorative properties. Transplanting a plant Experts do not recommend replanting the plant very often, since aquilegia does not tolerate this process well. Aquilegia can grow in approximately one place for 5-7 years. After this period, you can start transplanting. Carefully dig up the bush along with the soil, then remove all the shoots and cut it into two parts. They are then planted in another place. In this way, the plant is renewed. Pest and disease control Like any other ornamental plant, growing aquilegia is accompanied by diseases or can be damaged by pests. One of the main diseases is powdery mildew, which can appear on a plant planted in the shade. The symptom is a white coating on the leaves, after which they turn brown and fall off. In this case, the plant must be treated with a sulfur solution. Gray rot also often appears. It appears as dark watery spots on the leaves. You can fight it with a solution of potassium permanganate. As for pests, the most dangerous are aphids and caterpillars, which can destroy a plant in a couple of days. To combat them, foundationazole is used. Beautiful and delicate flowers are an excellent decoration for any garden. And with proper care, aquilegia will delight you with the constant blooming of its unusual colorful flowers.

Aquilegia or columbine is an interesting exotic flower. Its attractiveness amazed many breeders at one time, so now there are a large number of different species. Simultaneous planting in a flower bed enlivens any area with bright colors and gives it unique beauty. The lush caps of the plant bloom at a time when other shrubs do not yet have an abundance of flowers. To grow an original representative of the flora, you should know some aspects of planting and care.

Aquilegia flower - description

Columbine is a herbaceous plant that can grow in one place for several years. Its roots go back to the bloodline of the Buttercup family. The first appearance of the flower was recorded in the Northern Hemisphere on mountain peaks, where temperate and subtropical climates prevail.

The plant develops within 2 years. Only in the second year is the flower able to appear from the stems of the bush. In the first year, a small shrub is formed from the seeds. By autumn, a basal rosette will form. And only the next year the first flower stalks appear from it.

The foliage of the shrub has a unique shape. They even differ in structure from each other. Basal - located on thin petioles, have a trifoliate-dissected appearance. And the stem ones are represented by a trifoliate form, firmly planted at the base of the peduncle.

Each leaf does not exceed 5 cm in length, and its width is only 3 cm. The greenery is covered with a waxy coating on both sides. When watering, moisture does not linger on the green feathers, but simply rolls off.

Its peculiarity is its long rhizomes, going both deep into the ground and branching along the surface. The structure of the roots resembles the root system of wheatgrass - a small shoot remaining in the ground will produce a huge amount of shoots.

The blossoming flowers amaze with their color and richness of the composition of the petals in one inflorescence. The peduncle shoots to a height of 50-70 cm from the surface of the earth.

Each flower has 5 petals, single or curled at the base. Inwardly curled spurs extend from the back of each petal, and sepals are formed inside. In most cases, they are inclined to the side and have a pointed end. This appearance is very reminiscent of a star.

Growing aquilegia from seeds

The easiest way to propagate a catchment is by seed. They are the ones most often used to grow this bizarre flower. Root shoots are very difficult to root.

It is best to collect seeds from pods that are not yet fully ripe. They are carefully cut from the peduncle and dried in a room or greenhouse. Fully ripe seedlings jump out immediately at the slightest pressure.

The optimal time for planting is before winter at the end of October. If planting is required in the spring, then the seeds should be wrapped in paper and placed in any cool, dry place - a refrigerator, glassed-in balcony or cellar.

It is better to plant directly into a flower bed. If there is a sufficient number of seeds, then when sown in the soil substrate, they grow strong, healthy and branched. Natural selection occurs - weak seedlings are not able to survive the cold winter and begin to grow with the first warm days of spring. Of 100% of the seeded material, only 60% usually germinates.

When planted at home, germination rate increases significantly (up to 90%). But many seeds suffer for a long time, develop poorly and ultimately may die. They require increased care and periodic feeding. Therefore, to obtain high-quality planting material, it is advisable to plant directly into the soil.

Planting aquilegia

Planting is carried out immediately in open ground. Sowing of seedlings is carried out only for planting in spring. The planting material that was planted in the last days of October emerges in even beds in the spring, develops faster and is endowed with winter hardiness.

Seedlings are buried in holes no more than 1-1.5 cm. If the seeds are placed much deeper, they simply will not sprout. The distance between the holes should not be less than 15 cm.

When the sprouted shoots grow, the underdeveloped and weak ones should be removed, so that the distance between strong seedlings remains at least 30-40 cm.

In early March, it is advisable to soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours. Before planting, the seeds must be stratified, that is, mixed with moist, fine river sand or combined with a mixture of sand and peat soil. In this state, take it to a cool place where the temperature will not exceed 0...+5 0 C.

Exactly a month later, the flowerpot containing the crops is transported to a warmer room. Within a week, the first shoots appear. Watering is carried out with great care and in small quantities. With excessive watering, a fungus can form that will destroy all seedlings in a short time.

When a young sprout grows to 3 full petals, it should be transplanted from the total mass into a separate pot. Transplantation into open ground is carried out in the last days of May. It is imperative to transship the bushes along with the soil. Then the bush will not hurt and will immediately grow.

Columbine flowers - care

Although aquilegia is problematic to grow, caring for it is quite simple. The following rules are necessary for the active growth and abundant flowering of a lovely plant:

• watering - does not like abundant watering, requires small volumes, moderately. It is better that the soil has time to dry out;
• periodically it is necessary to carry out weeding, removing all weeds around the bush and loosening the ground, for greater penetration of oxygen to the roots;
• Lighting for the catchment area requires diffuse lighting or in the shade, under trees. With abundant sunlight, the flower stalks become shorter, the inflorescences become smaller, and the color fades. The bush may stop blooming altogether;
• pruning is carried out after the inflorescences have faded, so that the young peduncles gain more nutrients and fill the gap;
• Green plumage is not trimmed for winter. It will die off on its own in the winter months, and in the spring it will grow new bright leaves;
• Fertilizers (humus) are applied to the soil prepared before planting in open ground. The digging depth should not be less than 20 cm;
• The first feeding is done in the last month of spring and in the first month of summer. At this point, organic and mineral fertilizers are added.

By performing simple steps, you can achieve good development and a bright color palette of planted bushes. Otherwise, the plant will wither, lose its appearance and may even die.

How to grow these and properly care for them? Read more in our material.

Aquilegia after flowering

After active growth in the summer, it is time for the original flower to rest. All flower stalks are cut off at the root. If there is a desire to plant seedlings and get new seedlings, then the seed pods are collected.

You can experiment and not cut off the boxes with seedlings. It is recommended to put gauze bandages on top of them. This is necessary so that during full ripening, small seeds do not jump out of the axils and self-seeding does not occur.

In addition, it is possible to divide the shrub into several young bushes by vegetative division, that is, by dividing the root system. The optimal time for the process is the end of September - beginning of October. Planting during this period ensures complete rooting of the young shrub.

Otherwise, part of the flower stalks is used to fertilize the soil substrate. Dig up the stems along with rotted compost. The procedure is carried out only before winter, so that the plants have time to rot inside the soil.

Diseased flower stalks are removed, preferably completely by the root. After all, a diseased plant can easily infect healthy plants around it. The torn out bushes are either taken far away to be trashed, or (which is better) completely burned.

Aquilegia in winter

A separate point in caring for aquilegia is taking care of the grown bush. When the shrub reaches 4-5 years, its upper roots begin to protrude. They should be additionally covered with soil to avoid freezing of the root system during severe frosts.

Immediately after removing the stems and flower stalks, you should add peat soil with the addition of compost and cow manure. This way the plant will be protected from freezing. At the same time, it will receive additional nutrients.

Before wintering, the remaining greenery is not pruned from the bush. It will die off on its own during the winter months at sub-zero temperatures. And in the spring the first young, rich green leaves will begin to grow.

Thus, watershed care does not end with the summer period, but continues throughout the year. If you do not prevent the roots from freezing, you may lose a valuable exotic plant.

Types of catchment

In nature, the genus of Aquilegia is represented by 120 species. They have a fairly diverse color palette: crimson, blue, yellow, white, green and even two-tone tones are present.

The following varieties are the most valuable for gardeners:

1. Fan-shaped - grows up to 60 cm in height, flowers are 5-6 cm in diameter, with long spurs curved inwards. There are up to 5 inflorescences on one peduncle. It tolerates winter well, spreads roots abundantly, from which numerous shoots arise. Presented in a blue-lilac tone with a light border around the edge;
2. Hybrid - stretches up to 1 meter, with large flowers growing up to 9 cm in diameter. Stands out for its original simple and double varieties (Barlow Black, Star, Winky, Tower, Cameo, Biedermeier);
3. Alimpiiskaya - extends no more than 30 cm, but if planted in rich soil, its growth increases to 80 cm. The flowers are large in size - 8 cm in diameter. Blooms in June-July with blue inflorescences;
4. Golden-flowered - imported from North America, stands out for its large golden-colored flowers. Not afraid of either winter or hot summer;
5. Dark - tends to grow up to 80 cm in height. It has bluish-colored foliage, richly colored inflorescences, small size up to 3-4 cm. A special feature is the strongly protruding stamens. Loves partial shade, throws out flower stalks in May-June;
6. Common - varies in height from 45 to 80 cm in height. Medium-sized flowers up to 5 cm. The color palette, as well as the appearance (simple or double), is replete with bright design options;
7. Canadian - represented by a red-yellow color, straight rear spurs. Loves abundant watering, does not tolerate sunlight well;
8. Siberian - plant height can vary from 25 cm to 75. Flowers in diameter depend on the size of the bush (5-10 cm). It amazes with its palette of colors - lilac, violet, blue. The longest flowering period is from May to September;
9. Ferruginous - reaches 65 cm, blooms buds in May. There are few flowers on the stem, but they are large (6-8 cm), rich blue in color. But in nature they are often found with an additional white border in the center.

It is impossible to list all the representatives of this beautiful shrub. Breeders are constantly crossing and developing new varieties. The original appearance and colors will captivate any experienced or less experienced gardener.

Thus, the purchased plant must be provided with the necessary care, and if you wish, you can try to grow a new shrub yourself.

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