About
Aquilegia atrata is an alpine perennial that grows in a clump-forming manner and thrives in high-altitude environments. It typically reaches a height of around 60 cm and features mid-green, divided foliage. From late spring to late summer, this species produces upright stems adorned with dark purple to black flowers that showcase yellow stamens.
About the genus
Aquilegia consists of herbaceous perennials that grow in clumps, characterized by their long-stemmed, three-parted basal leaves. The upright, leafy stems support bell-shaped blooms featuring wide-spreading sepals and petals that possess spurs, all arranged on branched stalks.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Alpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. See aquilegia cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required. May be cut back after flowering and kept well watered to encourage new leaf growth
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or by division. Propagates freely by seed in situ
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, aquilegia sawfly, aquilegia sawfly and leaf miners
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews, aquilegia downy mildew and fungal leaf spot