Aquilegia atrata - Dark Columbine Seeds - Exotic Perennial Cut Flowers - New

This genus belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, and contains around 70 species found over much of the temperate and subarctic Northern Hemisphere. This is an adaptable genus, with species and varieties suitable for a range of situations including woodlands, rockeries, and perennial borders, and they are well known for their dainty long-spurred flowers, which are borne in clusters atop wiry stems. The genus name is derived from the Latin aquila, meaning eagle, and lego, meaning to gather suggesting that the spurs situated at the base of the flower resemble the closing talons of an eagle.

Aquilegia species are clump-forming perennials with fine-stemmed, often blue-green foliage that emerges from a woody rootstock. The leaves are divided into small fan-shaped leaflets, often resembling maidenhair-fern fronds in shape, if not in size.

Aquilegia atrata commonly known as Dark Columbine is a lovely, long-lived, true alpine species that grows in high rocky places, sometimes in limestone areas, but makes a superb garden plant. This cold hardy plant bears dark purple to black flowers with unusually prominent yellow stamens that open from September to April. It is an excellent border perennial that also makes excellent cut flowers. It is in bloom for several weeks and will grow in sun or light shade.