Quick Guide: summer, hardy, sun, height: 60-90cm/2-3ft, width: 30-45cm/12-18in

A number of very beautiful hybrids have been raised from Aquilegia vulgaris, the columbine or, to give it its old country name, granny's bonnet. The plants are characterized by pretty fern-like leaves and graceful funnel-shaped flowers with a spur behind each petal. They are very effective in the border and in cottage garden schemes. Blooms may be single or bi-coloured in blue, cream, green, yellow or red.

GROWING Set out young plants in autumn in fertile, well-drained soil. An open, sunny site is best but light shade is tolerated. Do not let them dry out. Mulch in early spring to conserve moisture. Unless seed is. required, dead-head and cut the stems (not the leaves) to ground level after flowering.

PROPAGATION Divide established clumps into single-rooted pieces from autumn to spring. Columbines produce seed freely. Allow the plants to self-seed or collect the seed when ripe and sow in nursery beds in spring, transplanting to the permanent site in autumn.

VARIETIES `McKana Hvbrids', large flowers, many colours, 90cm/3ft high.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Aphids; leaf spot.