Cardinal Granny's Bonnet

Cardinal Granny's Bonnet (Aquilegia vulgaris 'Cardinal') is a cottage garden perennial that brings scarlet and white flowers into dappled shade. It grows about 50cm tall and 30cm wide, with ferny green foliage and large upward facing bells that open even on young plants. It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Why you'll love it

• Two tone flowers. Bright red outer petals surround white centres, held on long slender stems above the foliage.
• Big blooms on young plants. It produces large, open flowers even at tubestock size, so you do not wait years for the display.
• Made for dappled shade. It is happiest in a part sunny to shaded spot, where many flowering perennials sulk.
• Cold hardy. It is frost hardy, which suits it to cool and temperate gardens that have real winters.
• Low, tidy foliage. The green ferny leaves stay compact and make a soft base for the flowers.

Where it works best

Cottage gardens. Plant in drifts 30cm apart among roses, geraniums and ferns, so the red and white bells rise through softer foliage.

Shady borders. A drift beneath deciduous trees or along a south facing fence gives spring colour where lawn and sun lovers struggle.

Pots. Its modest size suits a container on a shaded step or verandah, and a pot lets you keep the soil evenly moist.

Growing Cardinal Granny's Bonnet in Australia

Position and climate. Choose a part sunny to shaded position protected from strong winds. It is frost hardy and does best in cool temperate and warm temperate gardens. In hot, humid summers it often declines after flowering, so give it afternoon shade and treat it as a cool season plant.

Soil. Good, free draining soil enriched with compost. It will not tolerate sitting in water, but it does not want to dry out either.

Water and feed. Water regularly until established and keep watering through dry spells, because the sunnier the spot, the more water it needs. Mulch to keep the shallow roots cool in summer, and give a liquid feed regularly for prolific flowers.

Pruning. Remove spent flowers to keep the plant tidy and flowering. Cut back tired foliage after flowering so fresh leaves can follow.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Cardinal Granny's Bonnet as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once planted out or potted on. It is a small plant on arrival, but it carries its flowers early. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

It travels upright. Unpack promptly, harden it off in a shaded spot for a few days and plant it into moist, mulched soil.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Plants for partial shade
• Frost hardy plants
• How to create a cottage garden
• Perennial plants for a cottage garden

Common questions

What is the difference between Songbird and Early Bird columbines?

Mostly the breeder. Both have large flowers that face upwards on low, compact foliage. Cardinal belongs to the Songbird group, which has the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Does it like full sun?

It prefers part sun to shade. In a sunnier spot it needs much more water, and in hot climates it is best with afternoon shade.

Is it safe for pets and children?

No. Columbines are harmful if eaten, so plant them away from where pets and children might chew on them.