Plant guide: Aquilegia
Aquilegias are a traditional cottage garden plant, that have really returned to popularity recently. They’re easy-going plants that grow well in a range of different soil conditions and can be easily sown from seed – making them perfect for a spot in most gardens.
Flowering in May and June, aquilegias (often known as Columbine or Granny’s bonnets) come in a huge range of colours, from slightly garish pinks, to more muted modern cultivars such as the elegant purpley-black ‘Black Barlow’ and the ever popular ‘Nora Barlow,’ which has striking pale pink flowers with white tips. Their leaves are delicate and lobed, creating a hump of elegant foliage even before the flower stalks appear.
Botanical name: Aquilegia spp.
Plant type: Herbaceous perennials. Aquilegias die back over the winter months beneath the soil and regrow the following Spring. They are a relatively short-lived plant (usually only looking good for around three years) but they are prolific self-seeders, so once you have a plant in the garden, you can expect to find seedlings popping up quickly to fill the gaps left by any older plants dying off.
Growing conditions: Aquilegias grow well in sun to part shade. They’re relatively low-growing, so suit the front to middle of borders, where their elegant foliage can be seen before the flowers arrive. Flowers are held above the leaves on thin stems.
They prefer moist but well drained soil, though most will grow in slightly drier of wetter conditions.
As the flowers die back by mid-Summer and the leaves after that, position them close to another plant that will take over for the rest of the year, to avoid leaving patches of bare soil.
How to grow:
Aquilegias can be easily grown from seed, or bought in pots.
They’re fairly reliable at germinating from seed, and will flower in the same season. Sow seeds inside at the start of the year (February-March) or directly in the garden in April-May. See our guide to sowing seeds for more detailed information.
Pot grown plants can be planted out at any time of year, though will establish best if planted in the Spring, flowering in early Summer. See our guide to planting out container grown plants for more.
Care:
Aquilegia are a laidback plant and don’t need much ongoing care. When freshly planted, water well for any dry periods.
Cut back faded flower stalks after flowering, in order to encourage the plant to put out fresh foliage, and to prevent self-seeding if you don’t want rogue seedlings popping up.
Mulching around the base of the plant in late Autumn helps to protect it throughout the winter, but isn’t essential.
Uses:
Aquilegias are perfect as a cut flower. They have long straight stems that hold up well in a vase, and they last for a long time after being cut.
Mix with other cottage garden flowers and airy foliage for a really elegant homegrown display.
Our favourite varieties:
Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Nora Barlow’ is one of our favourites, with its striking multi-coloured flowers pink and white flowers with a froth of petals.
Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Lime Sorbet’ has elegant cream-coloured flowers with a muted lime tinge.
Aquilegia vulgaris is the common columbine, which grows well with little care, and has pale blue blooms.
Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Black Barlow’ has deep chocolate black flowers, that look especially elegant against a green backdrop.
