Aquilegia atrata 

'Dark Columbine'

[Ex. Karnische Alpen 1220 m., Austria]

Ranunculales: a long-lived perennial rhizomatic herbaceous plant 20-80cm. Found on the limestone soils, in the pastures and on the edges of the deciduous woods on humus rich soils. Dark purple to black flowers with unusually prominent yellow stamens. Blooming from May to August. The leaves are grey-green and comprising 3-lobbed leaflets. Native to the Alps and the Apennines.

USES:

The leaves root and seed have astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, parasiticide properties.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Seed can be sown in late winter or spring in a cold frame or greenhouse, the seed can be slow to germinate, but I have found a soak in a GA3 solution can aid germination. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter.

HARVESTED: 2020

 

APPROX. 100+ SEEDS