Aquilegia vulgaris William Guiness | Grannys Bonnet

The striking maroon-black bonnets of Aquilegia 'William Guinness' contrast superbly with the white corolla. The deep purple spurs of this 'stout' cottage garden perennial are carried on wiry stems, set above finely divided foliage. Perfect for en-masse in borders and shady woodland edges, this columbine also makes an attractive cut flower subject for an indoor vase. Growing instructions: In autumn, surface-sow on moist compost in small pots or seed trays and keep them in a greenhouse or cold frame at 15 to 20°C. Germination can be slow (up to 3 months) but seedlings should be thinned out as they grow on and over-wintered under glass before planting out after hardening off in spring. Alternatively, spring sowing can be undertaken as before, often without the need for heat. Sow: March to June or September to October Flowering: May to June