Overview
Aquilegia chrysantha is a plant with a clump-forming habit in the genus Aquilegia, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.4 metres tall. Aquilegia chrysantha grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6, H7. Suggested uses include cottage gardens, informal spaces, wildlife gardens and cut flowers.
About
Aquilegia chrysantha, the golden columbine, is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The plant, with a height of between 40 centimetres (16 in) and 120 centimetres (47 in), has yellow flowers.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Aquilegia chrysantha
About the genus
Aquilegia, commonly known as columbines, is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae (buttercups). The genus includes between 70 and 400 taxa with natural ranges across the Northern Hemisphere. Natural and introduced populations of Aquilegia exist on all continents but Antarctica.
Wikipedia contributors, "Aquilegia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Aquilegia
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Aquilegia
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South, East, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6, H7
Plant details
Aquilegia chrysantha size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Clump-forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.4 metres
- Suggested uses
- Cottage gardens, Informal spaces, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Aquilegia chrysantha
- Propagation
- Seed sown in spring, late summer or early autumn
- Pest resistance
- Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews, Aquilegia downy mildew
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Aquilegia chrysantha?
Aquilegia chrysantha prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Aquilegia chrysantha need?
Aquilegia chrysantha grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
How big does Aquilegia chrysantha grow?
Aquilegia chrysantha reaches a height of 0.4 metres.
Is Aquilegia chrysantha hardy in the UK?
Aquilegia chrysantha has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Aquilegia chrysantha?
Seed sown in spring, late summer or early autumn.
From the Fenn Plants journal
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- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Aquilegia genus
- Aquilegia 'Blue Barlow'Columbine
- Aquilegia 'Kristall'Columbine
- Aquilegia flabellatafan-leaved columbine
- Aquilegia flabellata 'Ministar'Fan Columbine
- Aquilegia nigrescensColumbines
