Re: mystery aquilegia/ G.'Rozanne'/ intro

In a message dated 3/12/03 4:23:17 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
aete@northnet.org writes:


. Can someone help with the I.D. of a little aquilegia I have-- It was
sent to me as a free gift along with plants I ordered from a catalog; it's
around 12" hi and the flower is a uniform deep maroon-red; flowers and
stems cluster tightly in the center of the plant, nosegay-style; the deep
red color shows true in all seedlings so far.  The tag said: "Mrs. S.
Elliot" but that's the name of much taller aquilegia hybrids, right? My
description is strictly from memory because we're under a few feet of
drifting snow here in the north country of NY state.  I'm asking now
because the only way I can work on my plants is to organize my plant index
and culture lists.  I'd like to have a name that's a better fit for this
aquilegia.>>>>

Here a question for Paul Henson, I think.

But a stab at Aquilegia and keeping the names in order.  I think nearly all 
Aquilegia sold is raised from seed.  It is very easy from seed.  I have an 
assortment of mixed up columbines in my garden and have never divided any. 
There are not many named varieties for sale, mostly plants from a hybrid mix 
resulting in plants that are not exactly the same. I am trying to think how 
you would divide a columbine, most are nearly tap rooted and short lived.

The native columbine A. canadensis does not cross with other columbines so 
you would by seed have the same plant each time.  A. canadensis does have 
tall forms and short forms so whatever you have could vary from it's parent 
because Aquilegia does that or because it was seed grown and possibly not 
"pure" seed from hybrid seed production.  I am not sure there is a columbine 
in a named form that comes true from seed. 

If you have a favored plant in your garden and there are other plants in the 
same garden, the columbines will cross and you won't know what you have until 
the seedlings bloom.  There does not seem to be a lot of cultural information 
on columbines other than soil, sun, etc.

There are many species for sale and some of the named forms are selections 
from the species.  This is a mixed up area for your files.  Bob Nold of the 
North American RGS is writing or about to publish a book on growing Aquilegia 
in America.  I have read some of his comments on the research and that is 
what is reflected in this message.  That plus all columbine, except 
canadensis, in my garden end up being pink or blue in time but they are 
faithful and I have lots of them every year.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4   

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