Aquilegia is one of those ornamental plants, which are a kind of universality, expressed in unpretentiousness. So, referring to the family of buttercups, it is a perennial herbaceous plant, which in our area is also called an eagle and a catchment, since these names reflect the essence that is endowed with aquilegia. It is not demanding on the composition of the soil, as well as on maintenance, and is a completely winter-hardy plant. It can grow in sunny and darkened places. This is its universality.
Externally, this plant is endowed with elegant, delicate, bluish-green leaves that flaunt throughout the growing season and, distinguishing themselves from other plants by their special sophistication, give a unique look to flowers of an unusual shape.
How to grow aquilegia? Such a question faces many who want to have this flower. The optimal conditions for her life are considered places where there will be a small shadow and low soil moisture. If this is a shade-tolerant species, then on a sunny, arid area, the plant will differ in small size flowers, while its counterparts they will be much larger.
About 120 species that inhabit the northern hemisphere, namely its temperate latitudes, and mountainous regions, have aquilegia. Its cultivation can occur on garden soil, but it is desirable that it be loose, moisture- and gas-permeable, nutritious. For planting it is necessary to observe the proportion: one bucket of humus or compost should be added to one square meter of soil.
Although it is believed that aquilegia is perennial, but after three to four years of life, the plant must be allowed to recover. How to determine the need for recovery? Very simple. In adult plants, the flowers will be noticeably smaller, and this will serve as a sign of how "tired" your aquilegia is.
Growing after flowering has ended is as follows. All peduncles must be cut. This is done not lower than the level at which the basal rosettes of leaves are located. Since aquilegia is a winter-hardy plant, it does not need additional shelter. But if the end of autumn - the beginning of winter will be snowless, with enough cold weather, it should be covered with spruce branches.
During the growing season, aquilegia will be very helpful feeding. The first feeding should take place in early spring or early May. To do this, add one tablespoon of organic fertilizer to ten liters of water. The second top dressing should be done at the beginning of flowering. To do this, nitrofosk in the amount of two tablespoons and one teaspoon of urea is added to ten liters of water. The third top dressing is done when the aquilegia has faded. After the trimming procedure, ten tablespoons of water are added one tablespoon of potassium sulfate with urea. And watered.
Aquilegia. Seed growing
It will be very important to talk about the way that aquilegia propagates. Sowing seeds implies planting fresh seeds in the autumn or spring in the open ground or in boxes. If planting is done in spring, it is imperative to cover the boxes and irrigate using a watering can no more than once every four days.
Shoots should appear on the 25th, 30th day. After that, the covering material can be safely removed. By the arrival of August, seedlings that have grown can be transplanted to a permanent place.
Such a simple method is used by many gardeners in order to please the eye with its unique beauty and beautiful aquilegia for as long as possible. Its cultivation can be carried out by dividing the bush (this method is applicable for especially valuable varieties) or cuttings, for which strictly young shoots are used.