aquilegias are tough plants. I've got some growing (outside) in pots that I started off from seed earlier in the year and some seedlings that have sprung up around plants in the border that set seed in the summer. I'm letting the ones in pots bulk up a bit but will plant them out this Autumn. The ones in the borders already will stay where they are. They survive winter pretty well, in my experience. The thing they hate though is their roots being disturbed once they are established so it's probably better to plant your seedlings out now where you want them to grow. They've got time to settle and develop a bit. Maybe pot up a few for insurance and keep them in a sheltered spot outside until spring?
You'll be fine Fishy, there's probably 3 months of growing left before real winter. I think I'd plant them before the winter as Gg says.
This dilemma is why I started sowing mine in January rather than when freshly ripened. They germinate in spring then and have a full season ahead of them
It doesn't seem to make a difference, sown fresh and germinate in autumn or sow January and germinate in spring I still have to wait another year for flowers.
But I don't mind. Gardening is a long term project
Thank you folks - I may as well get them in the ground then. After all,that is what nature intended and they are tough as old boots. I'm wondering if their able to withstand the big clumsy feet of a black lab though
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aquilegias are tough plants. I've got some growing (outside) in pots that I started off from seed earlier in the year and some seedlings that have sprung up around plants in the border that set seed in the summer. I'm letting the ones in pots bulk up a bit but will plant them out this Autumn. The ones in the borders already will stay where they are. They survive winter pretty well, in my experience. The thing they hate though is their roots being disturbed once they are established so it's probably better to plant your seedlings out now where you want them to grow. They've got time to settle and develop a bit. Maybe pot up a few for insurance and keep them in a sheltered spot outside until spring?
You'll be fine Fishy, there's probably 3 months of growing left before real winter. I think I'd plant them before the winter as Gg says.
This dilemma is why I started sowing mine in January rather than when freshly ripened. They germinate in spring then and have a full season ahead of them
In the sticks near Peterborough
Do they flower the same year Nut,
Not very often Lyn.
It doesn't seem to make a difference, sown fresh and germinate in autumn or sow January and germinate in spring I still have to wait another year for flowers.
But I don't mind. Gardening is a long term project
In the sticks near Peterborough
My summer sowings flower the following year, maybe because we are more South.
Could be Lyn, my dry soil might come into it as well
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thank you folks - I may as well get them in the ground then. After all,that is what nature intended and they are tough as old boots. I'm wondering if their able to withstand the big clumsy feet of a black lab though
They do survive slugs though !
You are right there nut, we do have rain!
I'm in East Northamptonshire nut. You're east of me aren't you? Northants is one of the driest counties in the UK
Yes Fishy, Peterborough, or near to. Very dry, except for the last couple of years
In the sticks near Peterborough