How to Grow Aquilegia
Aquilegia vulgaris
Columbine (Aquilegia) thrives in partial shade to dappled sunlight and prefers moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Sow seeds indoors in late winter after 3-4 weeks of cold stratification, surface-sowing as they need light to germinate. Water regularly while establishing but avoid waterlogging, and apply a light balanced feed at planting time only. Plants flower reliably in their first year and self-seed freely; cut back foliage after flowering to encourage fresh basal growth.
In your Leaftide garden - Hardiness
- Hardy
- Season
- Cool Season
- Harvest
- Single Harvest
- Spacing
- 30 cm
- Height
- 75 cm
- Min. soil temperature
- 8°C+
- Start from
- Seed
- Light
- Part shade
- Water
- Moderate
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 8°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 8 weeks earlier for a head start.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Light feed with a balanced fertiliser when planting out. Aquilegia are not heavy feeders and self-seed freely without supplemental nutrition.
- Aquilegia flower reliably in their first year from an early indoor sowing with cold stratification. They self-seed prolifically — seedlings will appear around parent plants the following year. The seasonal option lets you track the first grow cycle from seed to flower. Cut back foliage after flowering to encourage fresh basal growth.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 8°C+
- Germination temperature
- 15–20°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 35 cm |
| Sow depth | 0 cm |
| Mature height | 75 cm |
| Mature spread | 45 cm |
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 8°C |
| Germination temperature | 15–20°C |
| Base growth temperature | 5°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | long day |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Aquilegia?
- Plant Aquilegia 30cm apart with 35cm between rows.
- When does Aquilegia flower?
- Aquilegia typically flowers approximately 120 days after transplanting.
- Is Aquilegia frost hardy?
- Aquilegia is classified as Hardy.