Aquilegia longissima
longest-spurred columbine
A short-lived, upright perennial to 80cm with mid-green, fern-like foliage and outward-facing, scented, two-tone-yellow flowers, with spurs up to 15cm long, appearing in summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 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 | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
- W Texas, N Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See aquilegia cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed; home-saved seed may not come true. Established plants can also be propagated by division in spring, but they dislike root disturbance and will be slow to recover
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
To encourage more flowers (and prevent self-seeding) deadhead regularly. Cut back foliage after flowering to promote fresh growth in late summer
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf miners, aquilegia gall midge and aquilegia sawfly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and aquilegia downy mildew
Get involved
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