Re: columbine
- Subject: Re: [SG] columbine
- From: M* T*
- Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2001 03:44:03 -0400
Interesting, Claire. I always assumed mine crossed as I ended up
with a bed of mongrels, but maybe my C. canadensis just died out and
was replaced by the mongrels? Had the nicest stand of them that I
could see from the kitchen window and enjoyed every spring. You are
right, this one needs to be planted in quantity, but the flower is
such a lovely thing, albeit not gaudy by itself.
Mine got leaf minor...all mine do. I just ignore it until it gets on
my nerves and then remove the foliage or wait until they need to be
cut back anyway. Oddly enough, this spring a couple of plants had it
so bad they looked variegated...kinda interesting. Dratted little
insects.
Would love some seed if you have extra as I only have 3 plants now
and that does not a "stand" make:-)
I, too, do not have time nor energy to try to keep these guys
separated. Found two very different plants this year - may have
planted them and forgotten; no tags - but they are white with
upfacing flowers; shorter plants. Need to figure out who they are.
Have you any idea? Flower form is the same as on the taller forms
with down facing flowers. Of course, they are growing smack dab in
the middle of a group of my usual plants, so they probably won't seed
true.
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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> From: Claire Peplowski <ECPep@AOL.COM>
> Marge and others,
>
> I find Aquliegia canadensis does not cross polinate. It does
produce huge
> amounts of seed and is very long lived. In fact, I have been
unable to
> remove it without a shovel when It seeds into areas where not
wanted.
> Aquliegia canadensis is a native of the eastern US and is found in
tall rangy
> plants and small compact plants. All grow in poor dry soil and
require good
> drainage. I think all Aquilegia will succeed for several years
only if
> excellent drainage is provided. Aquiliegia canadensis is not
affected by the
> leaf miner that is seen on most of the others. This insect does
not kill the
> plants, just disfigures them.
>
> Marge, if you need some new seed, say the word. I collect A.
canadensis for
> the seed exhange (NARGS) each year excluding any tall rangy plants
( flowers
> cut off). This aquilegia is best grown in a large drift or patch
where the
> less spectacular color forms a pleasant mass of red. They bloom for
a long
> time and the foliage remains all season. The plants are forming
seed pods
> now.
>
> All of my other plants are locally called "Granny's Bonnets" and
bloom in a
> dark blue, pinks and very seldom a white. Whatever you plant here
they all
> end up as "Granny' s Bonnets". One would need to take more care
than I do to
> keep colors pure and the various species and hybrids isolated from
each
> other. All do best in dryish soil, good drainage.
>
> Claire Peplowski
> NYS z4
