Aquilegia vulgaris Winky Blue-White - Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris 'Winky Blue-White', like all the plants in the 'Winky' series, brings a breath of freshness to the small world of garden columbines. This one produces an abundance of semi-double flowers, with an intricate design. They are bicoloured, with each petal being blue-violet bordered by white, and are wide open enclosed in a blue corolla with a spur. The highly floriferous plant develops in small bushy and vigorous clumps, with fine blue-green leaves, resistant to mildew. This small, picturesque and refined perennial will add charm to flower beds and pots, in moist soil and partial shade.

Aquilegia vulgaris 'Winky Blue-White' belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae. It is a recent cultivar from the 'Winky' series that stands out with plants bearing round and more or less double, solid or bicoloured flowers, and excellent floribundity. It originates from Aquilegia vulgaris (or clematiflora), native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, which grows in meadows, and forest clearings in deciduous woods. It is a very hardy herbaceous perennial, forming a compact and upright clump, 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14in) tall when in bloom, and 25 cm (10in) wide, with abundant foliage, from which long floral stems branch upwards. From May to June, pretty 4 cm (2in) diameter flowers rise on stems, grouped in 2 or 3, facing upwards. They have long, horned spurs. Its deciduous blue-green foliage is quite decorative; the cut of the basal leaves gives a sense of lightness.

Columbines were already cultivated in the flower beds of the Middle Ages, and cottage gardens have perpetuated the tradition. Compact and unassuming, they are essential in mixed borders, bringing lightness. They can be planted in many different areas of the garden, taking care to leave a 20 cm (8in) space around each plant: in the middle of a perennial bed, in a border, at the base of bushes, along the edge of a woodland or on a slope. They will look magnificent when planted in groups to create a dense clump. Pick them when they are just opening for beautiful country-style bouquets. In woodlands with a 'romantic garden' spirit, 'Winky Blue White' can be associated with all kinds of perennials, such as ferns, foxgloves, Bleeding Hearts, or corydalis. Its modest size allows it to be grown in pots, where it performs well.