{"product_id":"cardinal-granny-s-bonnet-aquilegia-vulgaris-cardinal","title":"Cardinal Granny's Bonnet - Aquilegia vulgaris 'Cardinal'","description":"\u003cp\u003eCardinal Granny's Bonnet (\u003cem\u003eAquilegia vulgaris\u003c\/em\u003e '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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo tone flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright red outer petals surround white centres, held on long slender stems above the foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBig blooms on young plants.\u003c\/strong\u003e It produces large, open flowers even at tubestock size, so you do not wait years for the display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for dappled shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is happiest in a part sunny to shaded spot, where many flowering perennials sulk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is frost hardy, which suits it to cool and temperate gardens that have real winters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow, tidy foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e The green ferny leaves stay compact and make a soft base for the flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in drifts 30cm apart among roses, geraniums and ferns, so the red and white bells rise through softer foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShady borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e A drift beneath deciduous trees or along a south facing fence gives spring colour where lawn and sun lovers struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its modest size suits a container on a shaded step or verandah, and a pot lets you keep the soil evenly moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Cardinal Granny's Bonnet in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Good, free draining soil enriched with compost. It will not tolerate sitting in water, but it does not want to dry out either.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove spent flowers to keep the plant tidy and flowering. Cut back tired foliage after flowering so fresh leaves can follow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt travels upright. Unpack promptly, harden it off in a shaded spot for a few days and plant it into moist, mulched soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003ePlants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eFrost hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/creating-a-beautiful-cottage-garden-in-australia-insiders-guide\"\u003eHow to create a cottage garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/perennial-plants-for-a-cottage-garden\"\u003ePerennial plants for a cottage garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between Songbird and Early Bird columbines?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMostly 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it like full sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt prefers part sun to shade. In a sunnier spot it needs much more water, and in hot climates it is best with afternoon shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets and children?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Columbines are harmful if eaten, so plant them away from where pets and children might chew on them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790170095935,"sku":"AQU-VUL-CARDIN-tube","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/cardinal-granny-s-bonnet-aquilegia-vulgaris-cardinal.jpg?v=1792194955","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/cardinal-granny-s-bonnet-aquilegia-vulgaris-cardinal","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}