20 Stunning Aquilegia Varieties to Upgrade Your Garden Design

Aquilegia, or columbine, is a short-lived perennial wildflower of the Ranunculaceae, or buttercup family. They are also known as Granny’s bonnets, flourishing in sunny to partially shaded locations. Columbine thrives in rich, well-drained soil and rocky slopes and is an incredibly drought-tolerant plant. They can be seen growing wild in meadows and hilly areas of the Northern Hemisphere. But nowadays, these are considered classic cottage garden plants, and they also add versatility to the landscape of properties, be they residential or commercial.

There are about 100 different types of this self-seeding and bumble bee-attracting plant. In this article, we will narrow aquilegia varieties down to just 20. Let’s start!

1. A. Alpina

The traditional wild columbine, Aquilegia alpina, features hanging, droopy, spurred flowers in eye-catching yet serene colours ranging from deep blue to deep purple. They can reach heights up to 80 cm and bloom lavishly every spring.

2. A. Atrata

One of the striking aquilegia varieties, it is a show-stopper border plant that grows up to 60cm in height and has hanging maroon-black blooms with velvety petals and prominent spurs. It is easily recognized by the contrasting colour between its dark petals and bright yellow stamen, perfectly justifying its nickname “dark columbine.”

3. Aquilegia Olympica Columbine

Hummingbirds and butterflies will be finding these in no time. Hummingbirds will go crazy for the purple flower clusters on these beautiful plants, which will grow in great clumps. For better care, apply one pump of all-purpose plant fertilizer directly to the plant for better blooming and health.

4. Biedermeier

With a mixture of white, red, purple, pink, and bicolour blooms in pastel hues, Aquilegia ‘Biedermeier’ grows up to 12 to 18 inches tall. One of the breathtakingaquilegia varieties, they co-exist amicably in mid-story settings while proudly flaunting their long, curvy spurs.

5. Barlow Mix

Barlow Mix is an upbeat variant in pink, purple, red, white, and bicolour. With their faces drawn upward toward balmy breezes, the spurless, double flowers in the Barlow series float as sparkles. Although drought-resistant, they still need little moist soil to thrive better. So, you can use a soil moisture meter to monitor the moisture level that’s not too dry or wet.

6. Blackcurrant Ice

A.flabellata ‘Blackcurrant Ice’ swings and flows into the springtime scene with a humble skirt of five mauve sepals pointed out by short spurs around a centre bloom of creamy yellow. It is one of the lovely aquilegia varieties that dangles and nods like a lovely butterfly attracting hummingbirds to come and play and is only six to twelve inches tall.

7. Blue Dream

A.caerulea ‘Blue Dream’ greets spring with its five baby blue sepals, short spurs, and a bright white centre corolla that casts a proud stare skyward. At the height of 24 to 32 inches, it’s tall for a child and is certain to grab the attention. For an aesthetic display of the entrance, you can find several pots of Blue Dream plants on multilayer display shelves in the corridor of your house.

8. A. Crimson Star

One of the most exquisite aquilegia varieties, this upward-facing star-shaped flower has lush crimson petals, a two-toned corolla, and a scattering of golden stamens. From late spring to early summer, its vivid blossoms will bring to life your outdoor display.

9. Cameo Mix

A.flabellata Cameo series blooms swirl their pastel blue, pink, and white heads with curled spikes. Their delicate sepals surround small, brilliant white corollas. These grow up to six to eight-inch tall. To show off the plants in the entryway near the front-door stairs, you can sow them in two rustic-looking pots on both sides.

10. Clementine Blue

Clementine Blue is encrusted in completely double lavender-blue petals that bloom to rose at the tips, much like a wild cornflower next to a county road. This is one of the springtime aquilegia varieties and grows about 14 and 16 inches tall, adding beauty to the walks that lead home.

11. Crystal Star

A.x hybrid ‘Crystal Star’ expresses the mystery and wonder of the spring season with its single column of creamy white petals, contrasting centres, and mauve-tinged spurs. This bright wonder captivates everybody with its unwavering upward look from 24 to 32 inches. Get started with your DIY gardening supply to enhance the curb appeal of your home.

12. A. Vulgaris Var. Stellata “Ruby Port”

Its petals, a deep shade of ruby port, contrast stunningly with the light-green foliage and the bright yellow stamen. The stems are of the same deep red colour as the flowerheads, and it is a medium-sized cultivar that can grow over 70 cm tall. These aquilegia varieties take centre stage with special flowers with almost pinecone-like shapes.

13. Origami Red and White Columbine

These plants are noticeable from the street because of their enormous blossoms. Origami Red and White have stunning, huge blossoms that can reach 2 or 3 inches wide! They start to bloom in the late spring and remain for 12 weeks. If your landscape is excessively dry, you can sprinkle water on the plants using a LawnSprinkler for 10-15 minutes once a day.

14. Aquilegia ‘Blue Star’

One of the prettiest and most captivating aquilegia varieties, it features striking green leaves, a pristine white corolla, and prominent yellow stamen. They are famous for the size of their blooms, which sometimes reach 10 cm in diameter. They start blooming at the beginning of spring.

15. Fragrant

Fragrans, the fragrant columbine, is a Himalayan species with sepals, small curled spurs, and a white corolla with lavender-infused petals giving a dreamy aesthetic. It grows up to 12 to 18 inches tall, and its honeysuckle-like aroma will not only attract pollinators and garden bugs and snails as well. To ensure safety, consider using a bug and snail deterrent.

16. Chocolate Soldier

With the modest purplish-brown, green sepals, yellow stamen, and cup-shaped, downward-facing blossoms, these aquilegia varieties add diversity to any garden. It is also a dwarf species with a maximum height reaching about 35 cm. Because of this, it’s perfect for adding elevation to a rockery or filling in space on a sunny border.

17. Earlybird Purple and White

Bright-eyed Aquilegia Earlybird’ Purple and White’ blooms like a bouquet. Pinkish-purple sepals and spurs cast a lavender hue on white corollas. At 14 to 20 inches tall, it gracefully appeals to the guests of the outdoor party while celebrating the spring season. To add some decoration, wrap the plane with a string of fairy lights.

18. Golden

One of the elegant aquilegia varieties, this wildflower faces skyward, and it has long spurs, pale yellow sepals, and slightly brighter yellow corollas. Its height stands between 30 and 36 inches tall. It adds a feeling of tranquillity in the well-maintained garden with other native faunas.

19.McKana Giant Mix

Hybrid ‘McKana Giant’ Mix is ideal if you want a wild explosion of colour. Its effervescence is spreadable, dressed fancifully in shades of pink, purple, red, white, and yellow that nature’s paintbrush has matched and blended. These blossoms are fully decked out, and the plant ranges from 24 to 36 inches tall.

20. Green Apples

Vulgaris var. stellata ‘Green Apples’ has a softly refined aura about it and boasts double, spurred flowers similar to clematis. It softly transitions from pale green to white without the fuss of more vibrant colours. These aquilegia varieties stand from 18 to 32 inches tall and are graceful and majestic, providing a soft counterpoint to the nearby stronger tones.

Conclusion

A favourite for hummingbirds and other pollinators, aquilegia is perfect for outdoor landscaping. No matter what variety you choose, these easy-to-grow cottage species will bring nature’s grace to your rock and woodland gardens.

The aquilegia varieties you decide to grow will mainly depend on your personal preferences and the available growing conditions in your garden. The before-mentioned varieties thrive in a sunny or partially shaded border and are hardy and tolerant to a variety of garden conditions.

Hopefully, the information has been helpful and motivating for your next gardening project!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Ideal Time for Planting Aquilegia?

Anytime between early spring and mid-summer, you can sow the seeds directly in your garden.

How Much Water Is Needed?

Weekly watering is sufficient, except for prolonged droughts when additional watering is needed.

Does Aquilegia Harbor Life Miners?

Leaf miners can sometimes cause problems. After blooming, they can be pruned back to the basal leaves to help with insect problems.

Can Aquilegia Co-Exist with Other Plants?

Yes! Plant aquilegia with a spacing of around 30 cm apart from other herbaceous perennials.