Aquilegia desertorum

A bushy perennial to around 30cm high, with lobed and divided, blue-green basal leaves. Slender stems bear nodding flowers high above the foliage, with scarlet spurs and sepals, sometimes with yellow tips, and orange and yellow inner petals. Will flower all summer if regularly deadheaded
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Red Orange Yellow | Blue Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Red Orange Yellow | Blue Green | ||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Aquilegia are clump-forming herbaceous perennials with long-stalked, ternately divided basal leaves and erect, leafy stems bearing bell-shaped flowers with spreading, coloured sepals and petals with spurs, on branched stems
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- USA
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See aquilegia cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed; will self seed in place
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Deadhead to encourage flowering. Cut foliage back to the ground as it fades
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, aquilegia gall midge, aquilegia sawfly and caterpillars
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and aquilegia downy mildew
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