Aquilegia saximontana
A deciduous, compact alpine with lobed green-blue leaves and in spring and early summer nodding, violet-blue flowers with white central petals and hooked spurs. In flower, reaches a height of up to 15cm
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–drained, Well–drainedpH
Neutral, Alkaline, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Purple White | Green Blue | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple White | Green Blue | ||
| Autumn | Green Blue | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted, 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Best in an alpine house or scree bed where there are cool conditions in summer. Plant into a gritty compost mix. See our growing guide for alpines, for more information
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown fresh as soon as ripe, or in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Rock garden
- Patio and container plants
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Wildlife gardens
- Gravel garden
- Garden edging
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, sawflies and caterpillars
Diseases
Susceptible to Powdery mildews
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.