About

This compact perennial reaches a height of up to 20 cm. It features light green, divided foliage and produces nodding flowers that measure approximately 3 cm across, with a creamy-white hue.

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
Aspect
West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Alpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0-0.1 metre
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Native to
Japan

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist soil in sunny spot or partial shade
Pruning
Cut back foliage affected by fungal diseases
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or in spring. Columbines hybridise freely so the seedlings may not be true to type
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to aphids, leaf-mining flies and sawflies
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and aquilegia downy mildew