Aquilegia viridiflora 'Chocolate Soldier'

21/06/19 - the foliage of this particular aquilegia goes through some amazing colour changes throughout the year 😍 - it's constantly growing, almost evergreen for me although I have it in a pot so it sits in the polytunnel over winter. This one is currently going through a red phase, although new foliage is coming through. I have two others which are still green right now 🤷🏼‍♂️ #aquilegea #aquilegia-viridiflora #aquilegiaviridiflorachocolatesoldier #columbine #foliagefriday

Oh I like this. 😃 @richard.spicer.7906 very pretty

Can I ask what time of year does it flower Richard? I have grown this from seed and this is its second summer. Still quite small and no sign of flowers yet

Thanks Alysha 😊 it’s my favourite Aquilegia, although it’s supposed to be a little tender apparently although seemed fine last winter. Did have to fight off grey mould attacks every now again @alysha

Hi Joan, mine did take a couple of summers before it started flowering. Yours might have missed this year now as mine was flowering in April and May @joanboston

I thought so Richard. I have put some in the ground, but I think I will put some in a pot if it’s a bit tender. Thankyou for your help

Welcome. It looks delicate. I don’t remember ever seeing one. 😄 awesome @richard.spicer.7906

12/04/19 - well I know one thing for sure. I’d never make a living from being a painter and decorator 🙈 - finally finished my living room, although a few finishing bits to do. Had to be done, seven years in the waiting 🤭. I now have permission to get back in the garden 😂 - although got just one day left at college tomorrow then four weeks off for Easter break! I’ve a ton of plants to catalogue too from my propagation masterclass 🙄

This species aquilegia survived the winter under cover, started flowering about three weeks ago in the polytunnel, too nervous to put it outside yet with the frosts.

#aquilegia #columbine #aquilegia-viridiflora #aquilegiaviridiflorachocolatesoldier

That’s beautiful Rich and we’ll done on the decorating 👍🏼

There you are !! I just figured you were studying.. high five for getting house projects done.

What a beautiful, elegant little flower. Really like that 💚 gorgeous pic too, great bokeh! 👍🏼

Cheers Justin! Still looking for a lampshade 🤣👍🏼 @justin

Thanks Sherri 😄 - well, I know I said I’ve got a few weeks off, but just looked at the calendar and only got 11 weeks till my next exams 😳, so I think I might have to hit the books again soon. But I’ll have a few days off first 😁 @sherrisgarden

How much longer until you're completely finished ? Enjoy your garden time. 😀

🍫 🍫💂‍♂️💂🏻‍♀️

Wow, seeing this has made me get my packet of seeds out that I've had for quite a while (years) 😱 and get them planted, it's a beauty!!!

Aww that’s cute 🥰

#foliagefriday - I love anything that has this glaucous blue/green colouring, and this is particular evident in the foliage of my Aquilegia viridiflora ‘Chocolate Soldier’. I have three, all grown from seed and the flowers are quite special too if you like something different 😁 #aquilegia #aquilegia-viridiflora #aquilegiaviridiflorachocolatesoldier #foliage

Me too, lovely. Do you have ‘Rosa Glauca’? I love the blue blush with the pale pink flowers and then the dark red hips 😍

I will be making a note it would make a lovely colour contrast🤗

Me too. I call it blueish green 😉😂 I have a false cypress that has this sort of colour. Also love pistachio green foliage like the new growth of alchemilla mollis.

Beautiful Rich 👏

Can't wait to see them bloom!!!

Hello Richard. Really unusual plant. I have just seen its flowers on the ínternet and they are amazing.

Love this aquilegia. And yes, glaucous foliage 😍

Beautiful foliage Rich,just looked up the bloom's too and they're amazing 😍😍

Seems ages ago since I sowed these Aquilegia ‘Chocolate Soldier’ seeds, didn’t get many to germinate but I still got three seedlings - and they all survived my growhouse disaster earlier in the year (🙈) - didn’t even see them flowering until now. A lovely little flower and unusual colour (they are not big by the way compared to other columbines). Considering they were free with a garden magazine 😀👍🏼 #aquilegia #columbine #aquilegiaviridiflorachocolatesoldier #aquilegia-viridiflora

Well done Richard

Good work on the germination! I didn't get any to work 😕 enjoy!

You lucky devil @richard.spicer.7906 saw this online at Sarah Raven but left it too late to order it. Dam! Love it!

Wow! 😍

I love Columbine! What a gorgeous 📷 @richard.spicer.7906

Such a cute wee thing ☺️💚

Such a dainty little thing well done you for getting it to grow and despite GrowhouseGate. Beautiful reward to see these flowers, thanks for sharing with us xx

This is a special one !😍

These Aquilegia seedlings are coming on nicely. Only got three seeds successfully germinated, but now got three pots filling out. I've not seen the flowers on this variety, only pics from web but it's an interesting colour #aquilegia #aquilegia-viridiflora #aquilegiaviridiflorachocolatesoldier #columbine

When did you plant the seeds?

According to the previous pic, I sowed these around last autumn. Although if I remember correctly nothing appeared until earlier this year. They spent winter outside in a growhouse @Ricki

Such pretty flowers on these 😍

Oooh I've got this one - it is G E O R G E O U S 😍

I've planted 3 of these plants out in the border after planting the seeds last autumn. No flowers this year but the foliage is coming on so hopefully I'll get to see them next spring 👍🏻

🤗 @clipperty

I can't wait to see them @shivydevon 😊

They flower in their second year. Wonderful flowers which can last a long time. My only comment is watch out @richard.spicer.7906 you will find little plants growing everywhere in a few years. The seeds spread very easily

I sowed these a couple of weeks back in September, keeping my fingers crossed 🤓 #seedsowing #aquilegia #columbine

😊