About

Aquilegia jonesii is a compact alpine plant, typically growing to a height of 10-15 cm. It creates a low mound with small, tightly clustered, lobed leaves that are slightly hairy and exhibit a blue-green hue. In early summer, it produces violet flowers with short spurs that appear quite prominent against the backdrop of its diminutive foliage.

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
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

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

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, gritty soil with excellent drainage; not suitable for clay soils. Thrives in areas with cooler conditions in summer. Ideal for containers, scree beds or growing in an alpine house. This species can be shortlived for a perennial. See aquilegia cultivation for more detailed advice
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in situ, plants cannot be transplanted
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free