Aquilegia 'Blue' Seeds

Aquilegia vulgaris, affectionately known as Columbine or Granny's Bonnet, is the very essence of a traditional cottage garden. This blue variety produces charming, nodding flower heads with distinctive spurred petals that look like a circle of doves whispering together.

It is a plant that brings a sense of magic and movement to the border. The delicate, fern-like foliage appears early in the year, followed by the dancing blue blooms which bridge the gap perfectly between the spring bulbs finishing and the summer perennials starting.

Why Your Garden Needs Aquilegia

The superpower of Aquilegia is its ability to thrive in shady spots. If you have a corner of the garden that doesn't get much sun, or a spot under a tree where other plants struggle, Aquilegia will happily make its home there.

It is also a "sociable" plant. It gently self-seeds, popping up in surprising little gaps and cracks in the pavement, creating that effortless, natural "wild garden" look that is so hard to design artificially.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Short-Lived Perennial?

Aquilegia is a Hardy Perennial, but we often call it "short-lived."

This means the individual plant will live for about 3 to 4 years before fading away. However, because they are so good at setting seed, they naturally replace themselves. You will often find "babies" growing around the base of the mother plant, ensuring you have a continuous display for years to come without having to buy new plants.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Aquilegia seeds can sometimes be a little sleepy, so don't worry if they take their time.

🌱 Germination (The Cold Trick):
These seeds need light to germinate, but they also benefit from a "cold shock" to wake them up. I recommend putting the seed packet in your fridge for 2 weeks before sowing. When you sow them, press them onto the surface of moist compost but do not cover them with soil (a sprinkling of vermiculite is fine). Keep them at a cool room temperature (15-20°C).

Where to Sow:
Sow indoors in trays from February to May. Alternatively, you can sow them outdoors in late summer (August/September) to flower the following spring.

Care While Growing:
Plant them out in dappled shade or sun. They are very unfussy. After flowering, you can leave the seed heads on to feed the birds and encourage self-seeding, or cut them back to tidy up the foliage.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features, helping you decide if this woodland beauty is the right fit for your garden.

My Recommended Garden Companions

Aquilegia flowers in late spring/early summer, so it pairs beautifully with fresh whites to brighten up shady corners. Here are my top partners from the shop:

• ☁️ Ammi majus (Bishop's Flower): The tall, white lace of Ammi begins to bloom just as the Aquilegia is finishing, taking over the baton and keeping the border looking fresh and airy.
• ⚪ Achillea ptarmica 'Ballerina': The pure white buttons of 'Ballerina' contrast wonderfully with the complex, nodding bells of the blue Aquilegia. Both love to mingle in a cottage border.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow in spring for flowers next year, or sow in late summer for germination before winter.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)