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Aquilegia
Big Impact, Flowering Groundcover
- Charming, Miniature Blooms: Enjoy a carpet of tiny, snapdragon-like flowers in shades of purple-blue, lavender, or white (depending on the cultivar) throughout spring and early summer.
- Incredibly Low-Maintenance: This groundcover is a breeze to care for, requiring minimal watering, fertilizing, or mowing once established. It is perfect for busy gardeners or those with challenging growing conditions.
- Tough and Durable: Mazus reptans is surprisingly resilient. It can tolerate light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways, between steppingstones, or as a small-scale lawn substitute.
- Fast-Spreading Coverage: Quickly fill in bare spots and create a dense, weed-suppressing mat. It spreads readily by creeping stems that root at the nodes.
- Versatile Groundcover Solution: Ideal for a variety of landscape applications, including rock gardens, borders, edging, containers, and even as a living mulch around shrubs and trees.
- Adaptable to Sun and Shade: Thrives in full sun to partial shade, giving you flexibility in placement. (Note: Flowering will be most profuse in full sun.)
- Attracts Pollinators: The small flowers are attractive to bees and other beneficial insects.
- Deer Resistant: Deer tend not to bother this groundcover.
Site Selection:
- Light: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day) to partial shade. Best flowering occurs in full sun. In hotter climates (zones 8-9), some afternoon shade is beneficial.
- Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. However, it is adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils, as long as drainage is adequate. Avoid constantly soggy conditions, which can lead to root rot. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal.
- Hardiness Zones: It is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8.
Planting:
- Timing: Spring or early fall is the best time to plant.
- Spacing: Space plants 6-12 inches apart. Closer spacing will result in faster coverage.
- Depth: Plant at the same depth as the plant was growing in its container. The crown of the plant (where the stems meet the roots) should be level with the soil surface.
- Preparation: Dig a hole that is slightly wider and as deep as the root ball.
- Planting: Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole.
- Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with soil, gently firming it around the roots. Water thoroughly after planting.
Watering and Care:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during the first growing season, to establish a strong root system. Once established, Mazus reptans is relatively drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during dry periods. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- Mulching: Apply a thin layer of organic mulch (shredded bark, compost) around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the mulch away from the crown of the plant.
- Fertilizing: Generally, not necessary. If growth is slow or foliage is pale, you can apply a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive growth and reduced flowering.
- Weeding: Maintain a weed-free environment, particularly while plants are becoming established.
Pruning and Maintenance:
- Mowing (Optional): If used as a lawn alternative, Mazus reptans can be mowed occasionally on a high setting to maintain a neat appearance. However, mowing is not required.
- Shearing (Optional): After flowering, you can shear back the plants lightly to encourage bushier growth and potentially a second flush of blooms. This is not essential.
- Division (Optional): To propagate or rejuvenate older plants, divide them in spring or early fall. Dig up the clumps and carefully separate them into smaller sections, ensuring each section has roots and shoots. Replant immediately.
Propagation:
- Division: The easiest and most common method. Divide plants in spring or fall.
- Stem Cuttings: Take stem cuttings in spring or early summer. Root them in a moist potting mix or perlite.
- Seeds: Mazus reptans can be grown from seed, but germination can be erratic. Sow seeds indoors in late winter or early spring.
Potential Problems:
- Slugs and snails: These pests can sometimes be a problem, especially in moist, shady conditions. Use organic slug and snail control methods if necessary.
- Root Rot If the soil does not have good drainage, and remains too wet, root rot can occur.
Unleash Vibrant Spring Color in Shade & Sun Gardens
Aquilegia, also known as Columbine, are beloved garden favorites for a multitude of reasons. Here is why you should choose to add them to your garden:
- Exquisite and Unique Flowers: Aquilegia boast incredibly intricate and beautiful spurred flowers in a wide array of colors, including blues, purples, pinks, reds, yellows, whites, and bicolors. Their distinctive shape adds a touch of elegance and whimsy to any garden.
- Long Blooming Season: Enjoy weeks of vibrant color in spring and early summer, as Aquilegia plants put on a spectacular floral display.
- Attracts Pollinators: These nectar-rich flowers are magnets for beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, bringing life and activity to your garden.
- Versatile Planting Locations: Aquilegia are adaptable and thrive in a range of conditions, from partial shade to full sun (though they prefer partial shade in hotter climates). They are perfect for borders, cottage gardens, woodland settings, and even containers.
- Easy to Grow and Low Maintenance: Once established, Aquilegia plants are relatively low-maintenance and undemanding, making them ideal for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
- Deer Resistant: Generally, deer tend to avoid Aquilegia, making them a valuable addition to gardens where deer are a concern.
- Self-Seeding (Optional): Aquilegia readily self-seed, allowing them to naturalize and spread charmingly throughout your garden over time (you can easily manage self-seeding by deadheading if desired).
- Hardy and Reliable: Aquilegia are generally hardy perennials, returning year after year to delight you with their spring blooms.
Wide Variety of Heights and Colors: From compact dwarf varieties to taller specimens, and with a huge spectrum of colors to choose from, there is an Aquilegia to suit every garden style and preference.
Choosing the Right Time to Plant:
- General Planting Times: The best times to plant Aquilegia are in spring or autumn. This gives them time to establish roots before the stresses of summer heat or winter cold.
- Bare Root Planting: Bare root Aquilegia plants are typically available and should be planted during their dormant season, which is usually in late autumn or early spring. Plant them as soon as possible after you receive them.
Selecting the Planting Location:
- Sunlight: Aquilegia plants thrive in partial shade, especially in warmer climates. They can tolerate full sun, particularly in cooler regions, but their flowers may fade faster in intense sun. Choose a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight throughout the day.
- Soil: They prefer well-drained soil that is fertile and rich in organic matter. However, they are not overly fussy and will grow in a range of soil types as long as it drains adequately. Amend heavy clay soil with compost or other organic material to improve drainage.
- Drainage is Key: Ensure the planting location does not become waterlogged, especially during winter.
Planting Aquilegia Plants:
- For Potted Plants:
- Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the pot and just as deep.
- Gently remove the plant from its pot, loosening any circling roots.
- Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface.
- Backfill the hole with soil, gently firming around the plant.
- Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
- Mulch around the base of the plant with organic mulch like bark chips or shredded leaves to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- For Bare Root Plants:
- Rehydrate Bare Roots: As soon as you receive your bare root Aquilegia, soak the roots in a bucket of lukewarm water for 1-2 hours to rehydrate them. Do not leave them soaking for longer as this can damage them.
- Dig a hole that is wider and deeper than the root system, creating a small mound in the center of the hole.
- Position the Bare Roots: Place the bare root plant on top of the mound in the hole, spreading the roots out around the mound. The crown (the point where the roots meet the stem) should be positioned at soil level or just slightly above. Crucially, ensure the crown is not buried too deep, as this can lead to rotting.
- Backfill the hole with soil, gently firming around the roots.
- Water Thoroughly and Immediately: Water deeply and immediately after planting to settle the soil and encourage root establishment.
- Mulch around the base of the plant with organic mulch.
Ongoing Care for Aquilegia Plants:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Established Aquilegia are somewhat drought-tolerant but will flower best with regular watering. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can help prevent fungal diseases.
- Fertilizing: Aquilegia are not heavy feeders. A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial, but generally, they thrive without excessive fertilization. Over-fertilizing can lead to weak, leggy growth.
- Mulching: Maintain a layer of organic mulch around your Aquilegia plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- Deadheading: To prolong the flowering season and prevent excessive self-seeding (if desired), deadhead spent flowers regularly. Snip off the flower stem just below the faded bloom. If you want them to self-seed, allow some flowers to mature and set seed.
- Staking: Taller varieties, especially those in exposed locations, may benefit from staking to prevent them from flopping over, particularly when in bloom.
- Pest and Disease Control: Aquilegia are generally resilient, but watch out for:
- Aphids: Spray with insecticidal soap if infestations occur.
- Powdery Mildew: Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Fungicides can be used in severe cases.
- Leaf Miners: These can create tunnels in the leaves. Remove and dispose of affected leaves.
- Division (Every Few Years): Over time, Aquilegia clumps can become congested. Divide plants every 3-4 years in spring or autumn to rejuvenate them and improve air circulation. Dig up the clump, gently divide it into smaller sections, and replant.
Enjoy Your Beautiful Aquilegia Blooms!
With proper planting and care, your Aquilegia plants will reward you with stunning spring flowers year after year, adding charm and color to your garden.
Columbines, members of the Aquilegia genus, are beloved garden plants renowned for their unique, spurred flowers and delicate foliage. Native to meadows, woodlands, and mountainous regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere, these charming perennials bring a touch of wild beauty to any landscape.