Aquilegia - More than Just a Pretty Flower

We all love Aquilegias 'Granny's Bonnets' or 'Columbines', pretty colourful flowers, some with long spurs, others like petticoats, some small and some large. Very pretty in spring. However it if worth looking for Aquilegia with Variegated or 'Marbled' Foliage as well. Hidden away in semi shade the marbled green and gold foliage can look stunning, a glow in a shady spot.

We love our pale blue Aquilegia with its foliage, at present growing in a pot until it gets a little more established, but early in spring we we will plant it out in a semi shaded position in the border.

We are also attracted to the foliage of some of the Epimediums, in particular Epimedium wushanense.

You can find Aquilegia plants at NurseriesOnline UK

Bulbs for next season - Try Fritillaria - NurseriesOnline UK

We love Fritillaria and so do many gardeners in the UK, some with collections of 20 - 30 species. A little different to the normal is Fritillaria gussichiae (above left), a very pretty woodlander originally from Greece through to Bulgaria.

Many Fritillaria are Mediterranean bulbs  and require a dry summer dormancy. Fritillaria can be grown in pots or in the Rock Garden, however try to keep the pots cool in summer, and well drained is essential. Bulbs are best left undisturbed. Interested in seeing what is available form next season - Visit our Fritillaria Page

Addition to Plant Fair Listings

On: Sunday & Monday (29th & 30th) August Bank Holiday
Dorothy Clive Garden. 10.00am - 5.30pm.
This very popular Plant Hunters' Fair boasts top class nurseries offering a tremendous variety of plants. They include RHS Medal Winners and National Collection Holders. The fair is set within the beautiful 12 acre Dorothy Clive Garden. 10.00am - 5.30pm. Special Event Entry Price Gardens and Plant Fair £2.50 (Children Free). At The Dorothy Clive Garden, Willoughbridge, Market Drayton. TF9 4EU. Located on the A51, ( 4 miles south of Bridgemere ) Contact 01270 811443 email janet@planthuntersfairsco.uk
More information on Plant Fairs in the UK at Garden Shows and Plant Fairs UK

New Daylily Page. If you are interested in Daylilies check out the information on our updated daylily page.