There is very little blooming outdoors at our local botanical garden, but one of the alpine troughs in the cool greenhouse has this lovely Columbine in bloom. It is only about 8" tall with very stragely coloured flowers for a columbine. It is also very fragrant! (I guess it has to make up for the drab colour). It is easy to grow from seed if you can find it.
What a smart color combination! Very beautiful!!
This is one of my favourite aquilegias! I had the plant a few years ago and I've recently bought some seeds so hopefully I will have flowers this year. A real beauty and a lovely photo!
Oh I forgot to name it...it's Aquilegia viridiflora.
Hello Galanthophile,
If you don't mind, please tell me where did you buy the seeds?
I got mine from the North American Rock Garden Society Seed Exchange. You have to be a member of NARGS to get access to the seed.
Todd,
I knew there would be a day that I was really glad I had joined NARGS.....I am a HUGE Aquilegia fan, and really cherish the more unusual ones....maybe I can get seeds of this beauty this year! I love your close-ups, Todd. I need to get my technique fine-tuned, I always think mine are turning out - until I see a really great shot , like yours, then I know mine are not quite right. Oh well, what a fun thing to practice....lol....
~Jamie
Todd,
Thank you for your information about NARGS. I'll check it by internet. I also love Alpine gardening so it will be fun!
Thanks!!
goldenfish
goldenfish~
Hi! Welcome to the Rock and Alpine Gardening Forum....what types of alpines do you like?? Do you grow any now?? It has been really interesting to see what alpines and rock garden plants people are growing in diferent countries!
I love most any rock garden plant, alpines are included in that of course, and I find myself drawn to the true Alpines more and more! Right now I am planting a medium-sized raised bed with a variety of rockery plants....still adding to it and may never be done, as half the fun is getting new ones and finding choice gems in catalogs and nurseries, then making a place for them in my garden...:o)
Have a Great Day! ~jamie
Jamie. I have a Nikon Coolpix 8800. It has two different close-up modes....one for zooming in on plants that are 3 feet or more away (such as an alpine growing far from the path at our local botanical garden...oh I forgot, I can walk on the rocks now to get close and NOT get in touble! LOL). The other close-up mode allows me to get within 2" of the flower. That's how I got the Saxifraga oppositifolia pic so close....my orginal picture has individual flowers that are nearly 3" across while the real flower is under half an inch. I have yet to tap the full potential of this camera.
Hello jamie,
Thank you for your words of warm greeting !
What types of alpines do I like??? It's very difficult to answer:) I like primula, anemone, small bulb plant and of course aquilegia! I like small plants so had gotten attached to alpine plants naturally. I have some alpines. I'll post some to this forum soon.
I'm looking forward to see your raised bed pictures:)
goldenfish
