Overview
Aquilegia 'Kristall' is a plant with a clump forming habit in the genus Aquilegia, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Aquilegia 'Kristall' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Aquilegia 'Kristall' is a clump-forming cultivar of columbine in the Ranunculaceae that produces its flowers from May to July. It carries deciduous foliage and prefers full sun to partial shade in a sheltered position. Plant it in moist but well-drained soil; it tolerates chalk, clay, loam or sand and a wide pH range. Hardy to H5 in the UK, it suits borders, wildlife plantings and underplanting beneath roses or shrubs.
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
In the garden
Aquilegia 'Kristall' is a clump-forming cultivar of the genus Aquilegia (family Ranunculaceae) selected for garden use. It flowers from May to July and has deciduous foliage, making it a seasonal contributor to the spring–early summer display. Its growth habit lends itself to grouping where repeated flowering is required through the season. Select a sheltered, south-, east- or west-facing spot with moist but well-drained soil. The plant is tolerant of chalk, clay, loam and sand and will cope across acid, neutral and alkaline pH ranges. Give it a position in full sun or partial shade; in exposed sites the recommended sheltered exposure will reduce wind stress. Aquilegia 'Kristall' is rated H5, meaning it is hardy in typical UK gardens. Use it in cottage and informal borders, wildlife schemes, or for cutting; it also works as underplanting for roses and larger shrubs. Because its flowering period is May to July, place it where those months will complement neighbouring plants rather than compete directly with peak displays of later perennials. Its clump-forming habit makes it straightforward to repeat through a border to extend the season of interest.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Aquilegia
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Aquilegia 'Kristall' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Aquilegia 'Kristall'
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Aquilegia sawfly, Leaf miners
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews, Aquilegia downy mildew
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Aquilegia 'Kristall'?
Aquilegia 'Kristall' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Aquilegia 'Kristall' need?
Aquilegia 'Kristall' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Aquilegia 'Kristall' hardy in the UK?
Aquilegia 'Kristall' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Aquilegia 'Kristall'?
Seed, Division.
More in the Aquilegia genus
- Aquilegia 'Blue Barlow'Columbine
- Aquilegia flabellata 'Ministar'Fan Columbine
- Aquilegia nigrescensColumbines
