Overview
Aquilegia moorcroftiana is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Aquilegia, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Aquilegia moorcroftiana 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 moorcroftiana is a clump-forming cultivar of the Aquilegia genus, which comprises herbaceous perennials with long-stemmed, three-parted basal leaves. This deciduous plant produces upright, leafy stems bearing bell-shaped flowers with wide-spreading sepals and spurred petals arranged on branched stalks. It thrives in full sun or partial shade, preferring sheltered, south-, east-, or west-facing aspects with fertile, moist but well-drained loam or sandy soil of any pH. Hardy in UK zones H6 and H7, it is suitable for cottage gardens, informal spaces, wildlife gardens, and as cut flowers, with interest in spring and summer.
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-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6, H7
Plant details
Aquilegia moorcroftiana size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage gardens, Informal spaces, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Aquilegia moorcroftiana
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Caterpillars, Leaf miners, Aquilegia gall midge, Aquilegia sawfly
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildew, Aquilegia downy mildew
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Aquilegia moorcroftiana?
Aquilegia moorcroftiana prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Aquilegia moorcroftiana need?
Aquilegia moorcroftiana grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Aquilegia moorcroftiana hardy in the UK?
Aquilegia moorcroftiana 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 moorcroftiana?
Seed, Division.
More in the Aquilegia genus
- Aquilegia 'Blue Barlow'Columbine
- Aquilegia 'Kristall'Columbine
- Aquilegia flabellata 'Ministar'Fan Columbine
- Aquilegia nigrescensColumbines
