Overview of species and varieties of aquilegia

Aquilegia, or as this flower is also called, eagle, catchment, is a herbaceous perennial plant for open ground from the buttercup family. Originally from the northern part of America. Today, there are up to 120 types of crops, but only 35 can be found on the territory of Russia. Many gardeners opt for varieties of this plant, since it is distinguished by its abundant flowering for a long time. In addition, with the help of aquilegia, you can make flower beds bright and with different shades.

If you are interested in creating an attractive landscape with the help of an eagle, then you need to familiarize yourself in more detail with the existing varieties that are common in Russia and can get along well in a temperate climate. All this and much more will be discussed in the article.

There is a main category by which all types of catchments are divided - this is the place of origin. Among the most popular European species, it is customary to distinguish alpine, Skinner, Siberian and fan-shaped. You need to familiarize yourself with their full description in order to understand what are the main differences between them, and what is the individuality of each species.

In this case, the name speaks for itself: the native home of this species is the mountains of the same name. In the natural environment, this flower grows mainly within mountain meadows or forest glades at an altitude of 2.5 thousand meters above sea level. In the wild, the plant reaches 40 cm in height, and in the garden, with proper care, the plant can grow even larger.

Among others, several main characteristics should be highlighted.

• The flowering time of the plant is summer (June).
• The duration of growth is 5 years.
• Flowers - up to 8 cm in diameter. They can be blue or purple.
• Spurs - curved and small (only up to 2 cm).
• The leaves are dvadtrychatye and with a deep dissection. The basal foliage has petioles, and the stem foliage is sessile.
• Roots are the core system in which the maternal root is the largest.

Experts recommend planting this eagle species in light sandy soil, the acidity of which is from 5.6 to 7.5 pH. As for the reproduction of this species, the alpine aquilegia can be bred using seeds (seedling and seedling planting methods), cuttings or dividing the bush. The plant itself is quite frost-hardy and can withstand frosts down to -28 ° C. And also the flower is resistant to both heat and prolonged drought, but still professionals recommend not to forget about moisturizing your "pet", especially in the summer season. Best planted in shaded areas of the garden.

This plant variety grows in the wild mainly in the North American continent on the Pacific coast or in northern Mexico.

It is a perennial with a straight stem that can grow up to 80 cm high.

• It grows in one place for 4-5 years.
• Flowers - up to 4 cm in diameter. Drooping in shape and yellow (can be with a golden tint). Sepals are bright orange in color.
• Spurs - straight and thin, inherent in a monochromatic color.
• Leaves are dvadtrychatye, green with a gray tint.
• The root system is compacted at the very base (pivotal).

It is best to plant such a plant in soil where sand or loam predominates. And also the acidity of the soil should not go beyond 1.6 to 7.8 pH. Unlike many other species, Skinner's eagle is not as hardy. The plant is able to survive only in frost down to -12 ° C. To survive the harsh winter, the flower must be well insulated.

The most popular of this species is Tequila Sunrise. Its main feature lies in the large colors of a bright scarlet hue. In addition, this variety is known for its longer flowering period - almost the entire summer season. It begins to bloom in the same year in which it was planted. Compared to other varieties from Skinner's catchment species, Tequila Sunrise also tolerates frost better.

This species is widespread in the western and eastern parts of Siberia, as well as in the mountainous Altai and pine forests near the Katun River. In the wild, it grows in mountain and forest meadows. In culture, the species has been since 1806. The flower can grow from 30 to 60 cm, depending on the quality of care and growing conditions.

• The life cycle is 4-6 years.
• Flowers - up to 5 cm in diameter, blue with a lilac tint. Sometimes they are white or yellow around the edges.
• Spurs are thin and short.
• The leaves are trifoliate, openwork, with a reddish-green tint.
• Root system - with a large maternal root, which flattens in the middle.

The flowering period occurs at the end of May and usually lasts about 25 days. Seeds begin to ripen in the second half of July. At the same time, the leaves gradually begin to turn yellow and die off. As a rule, the Siberian eagle does not bloom the second time. It is recommended to plant this type of plant in areas with light, loose, nutritious and moderately moist soils. As for frost resistance, the Siberian eagle can withstand the harsh winter well, but this does not mean that the plant does not need insulation and proper care this season.

Under natural conditions, this species "lives" in the mountain forests of Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands and northern Japan. These are mainly rocks or mountain peaks, and sometimes even sparse lawns. If on the rocks the fan-shaped eagle grows mainly singly or scattered, then on the forb slopes it grows luxuriantly. The plant itself can be both short - from 15 cm, and reach as much as 60 cm up.

• The duration of growth in one place is 5 years.
• Flowers - up to 6 cm in diameter. Mostly lilac with white edging.
• The leaves are trifoliate, on long petioles. By themselves, they are collected in a root outlet.
• Spurs are long, strongly curved at the ends.
• The root system is of a rod type with an inherent compaction at the base.

An ideal place for planting a fan-shaped aquilegia is an area with gravel or sandy soil. Usually, from 1 to 5 flowers grow on a peduncle. If the plant is cared for properly, it will bloom longer and the size of the flowers will increase slightly. The average duration of the fan-shaped aquilegia is 2-3 weeks in mid-May. It can self-seed and grow luxuriantly, forming small but lush bushes.

All the cultures listed below differ not only in shades, but also in other parameters. If you want to decorate your garden with different varieties, then you need to know about their natural place of growth. This will help ease the process of caring for the plants.

The natural habitat of this species is limestone rocks in the subalpine and alpine belts of the Alps and Apennines. The flower can grow up to 80 cm.

As for the other traits, there are several features.

• Leaves with a bluish tint.
• The flowers are 4 cm in diameter and can be purple, lilac, or dark blue. Border along the edges of the petals is possible.
• Drooping, long and shortened spurs, the width of which is not more than 3 cm.

Flowering occurs mainly in late May - early June. As a place for disembarkation, it is best to stay on sandstone or clay soil (sandy-clayey can be used). And also dark aquilegia does not like direct sunlight, so you need to plant in partial shade.

This variety is common in the mountains of eastern North America. The plant, like all its relatives, is perennial. It can grow from 20 to 90 cm high. The stem of the flower is straight.

• Flowers - up to 4.5 cm in diameter. There can be up to 3 pieces on one stem. The color of the petals is predominantly red with orange edging.
• Sepals are oblong or oval in shape. Their color is yellowish.
• Spurs - drooping at the ends, long and straight with a red tint.
• The leaves are deep green, and the inside is gray. The form itself is dvazhdtrychaty and dissected.
• The root system is fibrous, and the main process is compacted at its base.

The main habitat of this species in the wild is in the northwestern part of Mexico and to the very south of the United States. This plant can grow both in areas with high moisture levels and at an altitude of up to 3.5 thousand meters above sea level. And also there is golden aquilegia in gorges or ravines. A distinctive feature of this species is its size. The golden-flowered catchment can grow up to 1 meter in height, and the bush itself has stems that are branched in different directions.

• Flowers can reach a diameter of about 8 cm. They are distinguished by their bright yellow color.
• The spurs are thin, grow up to 10 cm, and are absolutely straight.
• Leaves: stem - sessile, and basal with long legs. The color of the leaves is rich green, and the length can reach 4 cm.
• The root system is rod-type.

These varieties of eagle differ from others not only in the place of natural growth, but also in the absence of a spur. That is why most plant species have the prefix "false". Mostly all existing species are located within Korea, China, Mongolia, Japan and Central Asia.

This variety is usually referred to as paraquilegia. Its natural habitat falls on rocky terrain, more precisely, crevices in the rocks. Cultivars from this species, as a rule, have a strong root system. The stem itself grows up to about 20-30 cm high. It is leafy in structure. At the same time, the foliage is trifoliate and small in size. From above they are saturated green, and from top to bottom they are gray-gray. Flowers of delicate lilac color. They can reach a diameter of up to 4 cm. In this case, the fruit means a leaflet with small seeds.

Like the anemone aquilegia, the small-leaved eagle should also be classified as paraquilegia for most of its parameters. The same small seeds, only more oblong in shape and with a smooth surface. This plant is also considered to be undersized. Of the main differences, the following features can be distinguished: the flowers are smaller than those of the anemone-like pseudo-water collection, only 3 cm in diameter. Their color is light blue. A large number of deeply dissected leaves predominate.

The plant belongs to the genus of semi-aquilegia. This flower is considered a stunted perennial. The maximum stem height can reach only 30 cm. The flowers are cubic in shape, and the petals are colored in a light cinnamon shade. In this case, the sepals are reddish-brown in color. Special formations with membranes are located around the stamens. Please note that this species does not have a spur.

More details about aquilegia can be found in the video below.

A description of the aquilegia species would be incomplete without mentioning the most popular varieties of the common catchment.

• Columbine. Perennial. It is considered tall (grows up to 70 cm). Up to 7 flowers can be located on the peduncle. The color can be either whitish or pale pink or blue. The flowers themselves are large and with terry edging.

• Winky Double Red & White. It can grow in one place for up to 5 years. The flowers are large (up to 6 cm in diameter) and directed upwards. Color: red or crimson shades with white edging around the edges. High index of frost resistance: up to -34 ° С.

• Winky Blue & White. Like many other varieties, this flower is undersized. Its stems are strong and no higher than 20 cm. The flowers are blue with white edges and directed upwards. The foliage is densely planted. The height of the leaves can reach up to 35 cm.

• "Ministar". Low-growing perennial plant. The maximum height of this variety is 15-20 cm. It can withstand frosts down to -34 ° C. The foliage is openwork, green on one side, and gray-gray on the back. The flowering period is late May - early June. The spurs are strongly bent downwards. The flowers grow in shades of blue and purple with a light speck at the base.

• Adelaide Addison. Unlike the varieties described above, this plant is considered tall, because its stems can reach up to 55 cm in height. The flowers themselves are terry and can be painted in different colors. The spurs are thin and long. Fern foliage.

• "Ruby Port". The main feature of this variety is the shape of the flower (there are several spurs per three petals). The plant itself is considered to be of medium height, up to 40 cm. The color can be of a wide variety of shades.