About

'Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Ruby Port'' is a perennial that typically lasts a few years, reaching a height of about 75 cm. The foliage consists of divided, round-lobed leaves. In late spring and early summer, it produces double flowers that lack spurs. These blooms display a mid to dark red hue complemented by yellow stamens and are borne on dark stems.

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
South-facing, West-facing, North-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
1-2 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
Pruning
Cut back foliage after flowering to promote fresh growth in later summer. Deadhead to encourage more flowers
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or in spring. It can also be propagated by division in spring but the plant will be slow to recover
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, aquilegia sawfly and caterpillars
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and aquilegia downy mildew