About

In May and June it bears exaggeratedly spurred flowers, the central petals being dark yellow, the outer flower parts contrastingly lighter. A cultivar of the vigorous, clump-forming species. Foliage is mid green, divided and fern-like.

About the genus

Aquilegia are clump-forming herbaceous perennials with long-stalked, ternately divided basal leaves and erect, leafy stems bearing bell-shaped flowers with spreading, coloured sepals and petals with spurs, on branched stems

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in spring, late summer or early autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and aquilegia downy mildew