How to Grow Aquilegia

Aquilegias (Aquilegia caerulea) are beautiful and uniquely shaped flowers that appear in spring and present in cream, pink, yellow and lavender colours. They have a great appeal in cottage style gardens and stand out with their long spurred flower heads that sit all so daintily above the blue green foliage.

Full sun or part shade

Regular watering

Well drained/sandy soil

Suitable for all climatic zones

How to grow aquilegias in a garden

Step 1

Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, cover, firm down and water well. Keep the soil moist so the seeds don't dry out.

Step 2

While the seedlings are growing, choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun to part shade and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Step 3

Water gently and keep moist through germination period.

Step 4

Allow the seedlings to grow to at least 5-7 cm before transplanting.

Step 5

When transplanting them into your prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are well spaced – at least 30 to 40cm apart. Water in well.

Step 6

Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw.

Step 7

Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

How to grow aquilegias in a pot

Step 1

Choose a pot at least 200mm wide and deep. Position in full sun to part shade.

Step 2

Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 3

Plant directly into the pot by pressing the seeds lightly into the surface of the pot.

Step 4

Water gently and keep moist through germination period.

Step 5

Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Yates Varietes

Aquilegia Mixed Columbine

$3.30

Growing tips

Each dangling, bell-shaped flower has five petals that flare out from the base, surrounded by a collar of five larger sepals.
Most varieties of Aquilegia plants will bloom for at least four weeks.
Aquilegia plants are naturals in woodland and rock gardens. Their delicate fan-shaped foliage is a nice contrast to ferns and other shrubs since they hold their flowers high above the base of the plant.
Aquilegia plants are adaptable, but they prefer an acidic soil pH of about 5.0 to 6.0.
New plants will need to be kept moist until they become established. You'll know they are established when they start putting out a lot of new growth.