Aquilegia chrysantha

RHS Plant Profile
golden columbine

Other common names

golden-flowered columbine

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

A vigorous, clump-forming perennial with mid-green divided foliage. In late spring and early summer, yellow, spurred flowers with many yellow anthers appear above the foliage

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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
SW North America

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 sown in spring, late summer or early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • 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

Diseases

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