Aquilegia Miss M I Huish

One of the old named forms of our native columbine, and noticeably taller than most. 'Miss M I Huish' carries deep violet flowers on stems approaching ninety centimetres, well clear of the blue-green divided foliage below.

Aquilegias are among the few things that flower generously in dappled shade, which makes them useful under apple trees and along a north-facing border. They come into flower in May, filling the gap between the tulips going over and the summer perennials getting started.

Worth knowing that aquilegias cross-pollinate enthusiastically with anything else flowering nearby, so seed saved from your own plants will not come true. That is half the fun. Leave a few heads to ripen and see what appears.