Duo of dwarf blue and white Columbines

The collection consists of:

- 1 x Aquilegia flabellata 'Ministar': an award-winning variety in England in 1993 for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden. Flowers are 4 cm (2in) in diameter, slightly pendulous, composed of sepals with horny spurs of an almost electric blue surrounding a small corolla of white petals with a bluish base.

- 1 x Aquilegia flabellata 'Cameo White': truly luminous white flowering, barely softened with cream at the center. Flowers are 4 cm (2in) in diameter, slightly pendulous, composed of sepals with horny spurs surrounding a small corolla of white petals with a cream base.

Aquilegia flabellata, also called dwarf Columbine, is a botanical species native to mountainous regions of Japan and Korea. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, with vegetation that persists more or less in winter. Its slightly bluish green foliage is quite decorative, and the indentation of the basal leaves gives an impression of lightness.

Planted next to spring bulbs, this pair of dwarf flabellata Columbines will hide their dried and yellowing leaves at the end of spring. Compact and discreet, they are essential in mixed borders, where they bring a light and whimsical feel. They can be planted in many different areas of the garden, taking care to leave a space of 20 cm (8in) around each plant: in the middle of a perennial bed, in a border, at the base of bushes, on the edge of a woodland, on a slope, in a cool and shaded rockery... They will be magnificent when planted in groups of 4 to 6 to create a dense clump. In woodlands, in a 'romantic garden' spirit, they can be combined  with all kinds of perennials such as small Ferns, Foxgloves, Bleeding Hearts, Peach-Leaved Bellflowers or Corydales. Their modest size allows them to be grown in pots, where they perform very well.

Be careful to keep Columbines separate from each other, as wild hybridisation can alter the varieties over time!