Aquilegia Songbird Series
These dramatic hybrids have been a long time in development. The Songbird Series was originally the work of Charlie Weddle of Colorado Native Plants, and first introduced in the early 1980s. He originally used plants from the long extablished ‘McKana Giants’ and ‘Mrs Scott Elliot's Strain’ as well as A. caerulea, A. canadensis, A. skinneri, A. californica and A. chrysantha and perhaps A. longissima. When he died in 1986 his stocks were bought by PanAmerican Seed, refined and upgraded, and re-introduced in the late 1980s. The series has since been expanded and quietly upgraded over the years under the guidance of breeder Dr Ellen Leue.
Where the British and North American names differ it is not yet clear which name has precedance. Award winners in the recent trial were: ‘Dove’ ‘Chaffinch’ Close to an award were: ‘Skylark’ In Britain plants and seeds are available to home gardeners from Three Counties Nursery, who introduced them and popularised them in Britain, Mr Fothergills Seeds, Nicky’s Nursery and perhaps other mail order seed companies. In North America seed and plants are available from a number of cources. Search the web for Aquilegia Songbird here. Main Aquilegia page Aquilegia trial Aquilegia Swan Series/States Series Aquilegia Origami Series/Butterfly Series |
All text ©copyright Graham Rice 1999-2006, All images ©copyright Graham Rice/gardenphotos.com or judywhite/gardenphotos.com 1999-2006. All rights reserved. |