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Herbaceous Perennial

Aquilegia oxysepala
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

An upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with divided green leaves. Nodding brown-red and yellow flowers are produced on slender, upright stems in spring and early summer. An unusual wild columbine and very hardy

Synonyms
Aquilegia buergeriana var. oxysepala

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Brown Red Yellow Green
Summer Brown Red Yellow Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, Columnar upright
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
E & N Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. See aquilegia cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division. Propagates freely by seed in situ

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required. May be cut back after flowering and kept well watered to encourage new leaf growth

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, aquilegia sawfly, aquilegia sawfly and leaf miners

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, aquilegia downy mildew and fungal leaf spot

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