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Aquilegia 'Dorothy Rose'

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Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
 Common Name: Columbine
Common Name (Alternative): Granny's Bonnet

An outstanding and totally unique columbine. The light rose-pink flowers of 'Dorothy Rose' are "hose-in-hose" style, meaning that several flowers are set inside one another. They look like little granny's bonnets, hence their common name "Granny's Bonnet". These distinctive blossoms are complimented by the attractive light blue-green foliage. This selection debuted at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1999.


Aquilegia is especially lovely when allowed to naturalize in shady, woodland borders. They also have excellent potential as cut flowers, lasting up to 2 weeks in a vase.

Intro Year: 1999

Origin: Not Native to North America

Characteristics:



Height:
  24-30 Inches
Spread:
  18-24 Inches
Flower Color:
  Pink shades
Foliage Color:
  Green shades
Hardiness Zone:
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Find Your Zone
Sun or Shade?:
  Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
  Part shade (4-6 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
  Average water needs
  Consistent water needs
Want to see wings?:
  Attracts butterflies
  Attracts hummingbirds
Need critter resistant plants?:
  Rabbit resistant
How fast should it grow?:
  Medium
When should it bloom?:
  Late spring
  Early summer
How's your soil?:
  Average Soil
  Fertile Soil
Sweet or Sour Soil?:
  Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
  Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
What's your garden style?:
  Woodland/Shade
  Cottage
  Eclectic

Attributes:

Border plants
Cut flower or foliage
Mass Planting
Specimen or focal point

Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips:

Columbine is easy to grow in loose, average to rich, well-drained soil. Heavy or soggy soils will hasten their demise. They can be grown in full sun or partial shade, though light shade will prolong the flowering time.

In the fall, cut plants back to their basal foliage. In the spring, remove only the dead leaves. Columbine is sometimes affected by leaf miners. If this happens, cut the foliage all the way back to the ground and discard it. Healthy, new growth will emerge quickly. Propagate by sowing named seed rather than by division; mature plants do not like to be disturbed.


Companions:

Common/Botanical Name
Zones  
Digitalis grandiflora
Common Name: Foxglove-Yellow
4,5,6,7,8,9
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Amsonia hubrichtii
Common Name: Blue Star-Arkansas
4,5,6,7,8,9
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Iris sibirica 'Pink Haze'
Common Name: Iris-Siberian
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
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Geranium cantabrigiense 'Karmina'
Common Name: Geranium-Hardy
4,5,6,7,8
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Baptisia australis
Common Name: False Indigo-Blue
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
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Delphinium grandiflorum 'Summer Blues'
Common Name: Delphinium-Dwarf
3,4,5,6,7
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Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
Common Name: Fern-Japanese Painted
3,4,5,6,7,8
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Dicentra eximia
Common Name: Bleeding Heart-Fringed
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
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Brunnera macrophylla 'Langtrees'
Common Name: Brunnera-Heartleaf
3,4,5,6,7,8
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Anemone sylvestris
Common Name: Anemone-Snowdrop
3,4,5,6,7,8
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History:

Both the flowers and the leaves of Columbine are reminiscent of doves (columba is Latin for "dove"). Columbines often represent the dove of peace in religious artwork.

While every effort has been made to describe this plant accurately, please keep in mind that the height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates throughout the country. The description of this plant was written based on our experience growing it in Michigan (USDA hardiness zone 5) and on numerous outside resources.