Possibly the most beautiful Aquilegia of all. With glorious light to deep blue flowers 2-3in across sometimes fetching bi-coloured with white. An excellent border perennial, grand for cutting, in bloom for several weeks and will grow in sun or light shade. The modern art of breeding, with some help from Mother Nature, has created this stunning new blend. A mixture of single, double, pompom, clematis flowered, long spurred and bicolour blooms aloft an equally diverse mixture of green, gold, bronze and silver edged foliage types. Plants may even throw up more new exciting types as they further hybridise!

Sow February to June or September to October. Sow seed on the surface of lightly firmed, moist seed compost in pots or trays. Do not cover the seed. Seal container inside a polythene bag and keep at a temperature of between 15-20C (59-68F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination can take 1 to 3 months.

When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3 inch) pots or trays. Plant out once plants are well grown, 23-30cm (9 to 12 inches) apart.

1 packet (20 aquilegia seeds)