Aquilegia

Growing Guide

Aquilegia are a quintessential cottage garden favourite; coming in a variety of colours and sizes, they are also known as Columbine and Granny's Bonnets. They are easy to grow and will self-seed so are great for naturalistic or wild gardens. The nectar-rich flowers are attractive to pollinators.

Sow aquilegia seeds from February to June or September to October, on the surface of a good quality seed compost and cover with a fine sprinkling of vermiculite. Initially water the seeds from well and then keep the soil damp but not wet and do not exclude light. Place in a propagator or seal the seed tray inside a polythene bag until after germination.

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to plant outdoors. When aquilegia plants are well grown and all risk of frost has passed, acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Overwinter October sowings in a coldframe and plant out the following spring. Aquilegia will flower from their second year.

Grow aquilegias in a sun or part shade in fertile, moist, well drained soil at a distance of 30cm apart.

Once established, plants shouldn’t need watering, although a good soak after cutting back after flowering will encourage a new flush of leaves. Deadhead after flowering to tidy up the plants. However, if you want more aquilegia, allow the seed to ripen before collecting or allowing to self seed. .

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When allowed to self-seed Aquilegia are unlikely to produce identical offspring, and it is often best to raise new plants by fresh sowing seed as required as although Aquilegia are a perennial, they are short lived, lasting only a few years.



Aquilegias do not need to be pruned, but you may wish to cut back the foliage after flowering if the leaves are beginning to look scruffy. Give the plant a drink and a compost mulch and you will be rewarded with a lovely fresh flush of foliage in a few weeks.