Granny's bonnet 'Royal Purple'

Aquilegia

How to grow Granny's bonnet 'Royal Purple'

  • Dappled Sun

  • High

Full sun is possible however, plant must receive ample moisture so dappled sun is better. Grows best where winters are cold.

Try to plant in a location that enjoys dappled sun and remember to water often. Keep in mind when planting that Royal Purple is thought of as hardy, so this plant will survive close to or on freezing temperatures.

Growing Royal Purple from seed

Sow fresh seed in the summer in pots usung a mixture of seed compost and grit. Cover seed with perlite or vermiculite and place in a cold frame, germination is more rapid by this method and should take 3-4 weeks.
Responds well to wintersowing where seed will receive stratification. Scarify, otherwise. Requires light to germinate.
Do not exclude light

Alternitively, old aquilegia seed is viable for up to 5 years and can be sown in the autumn in pots using a seed compost with added grit. Cover the seeds lightly with compost and place in a cold frame. germination can take up to 6 months

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 11.89 inches (30.48 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.2 inches (0.5 cm).

By our calculations, you should look at sowing Royal Purple about 56 days before your last frost date.

Transplanting Royal Purple

Transplant the seedlings and continue to grow in the cold frame, the young plants can be acclimatised to outdoor conditions over a period of 3 weeks and then planted out when all frost has passed

Aquilegia enjoy ordinary well drained soil in full sun

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Royal Purple is a hardy plant.

Harvesting Royal Purple