Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Winky Red-White Double’ is an upright, clump-forming plant which produces beautiful double, upright, pink-red flowers with white margins, in late spring through to early summer. Its unusual blooms almost resemble ‘pompons’ due to their fluffy shape. These blooms rise gracefully above ferny grey-green foliage. Typically, each plant can produce 5-10 flowering stems once established! The plant can grow to approximately 50 cm high and it can spread up to 30 cm. While this is generally a short lived perennial, it will self seed, giving you large colonies once its growing conditions are satisfactory. This variety is part of the ‘Winky Series’, which is noted for its abundant blooms and compact habit.
Suggested Care: Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Winky Red-White Double’ should be planted in well-drained, rich soils, positioned in full sun or partial shade. It must be protected by excessive winter wet or excessive wet in general as it dislikes poorly drained soils. This plant is not drought tolerant so you must not let the soil dry out – It requires the perfect balance! Removing faded flowering stems will encourage more growth. It should be cut back to the ground once the foliage declines – you will notice this as the leaves begin to turn yellow. Contact with the sap may irritate the skin.
Planting Instructions: Break up the soil well before planting and dig a hole twice the size of the pot. Remove plant from the pot by tapping the rim of the pot in ‘up side down’ position. However, do not pull the plant from the pot. Firm soil after planting and water regularly for the first month.