How to Grow Aquilegia
'Miss M I Huish' from Seed
An old named form of our native columbine, with deep violet flowers on tall stems near 90cm. Flowers generously in dappled shade and fills the May gap.
'Miss M I Huish' is one of the old named forms of our native columbine, and taller than most. Deep violet flowers are held on stems approaching 90cm, well above the blue-green, divided foliage below.
Aquilegias are among the few plants that flower generously in dappled shade, which makes them useful under fruit trees and along north-facing borders. They flower in May, bridging the gap between tulips going over and summer perennials getting started.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Plant Type
Hardy perennial
Sowing Time
Feb to Apr · Sep
Flowering
May to June, from the following year
Position
Sun or dappled shade
Height
Up to 90cm
Difficulty
2 out of 5, easy
Understanding the Plant
'Miss M I Huish' is a form of Aquilegia vulgaris, the columbine or granny's bonnet native to British woodland edges. It is a hardy, clump-forming perennial that dies back after flowering and returns each spring.
Aquilegias cross-pollinate freely with others flowering nearby, so seed saved from your own plants will not come true. That is part of their charm: leave a few seed heads to ripen and see what appears.
All parts of aquilegia are toxic if eaten. Keep seeds and plants away from children and pets.
A little cold helps
Aquilegia seed germinates more reliably after a period of cold. Sow in autumn and leave the pots outside over winter, or chill spring-sown pots in the fridge for three to four weeks before bringing them into warmth.
When & How to Sow
Sow from February to April under cover, or in September in pots left outdoors. Plants raised this year flower the following spring.
Autumn is easiest
Sow in September, cover the pots with grit and stand them in a cold frame or sheltered spot. Winter weather does the chilling for you, and seedlings appear in spring.
Sow on the surface. Sprinkle seed over damp seed compost and cover with a thin layer of grit or vermiculite. Germination can take two to six weeks and is often uneven.
Prick out and grow on. Move seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle, and grow on in a cool, bright spot.
Plant out in late spring. Plant out in May or June, 30 to 45cm apart, in sun or dappled shade and moist but well-drained soil.
Growing On Tips
Dappled shade
Thrives under fruit trees, along hedges and in north-facing borders as well as in sun.
Cut back after flowering
Cut stems and tired leaves back after flowering for fresh foliage, or leave a few to set seed.
Self-seeding
Seedlings appear around established plants. Expect new colours and forms.
Moist, not wet
Water young plants in dry spells. Established clumps cope with most conditions except waterlogging.
Early pollinators
Bumblebees visit the flowers in May when food is still scarce.
Toxic if eaten
Keep seeds and plants away from children and pets.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Seed slow or patchy to germinate | Needs a cold period | Sow in autumn outdoors, or chill spring pots for a few weeks. |
| Leaves stripped to veins | Aquilegia sawfly caterpillars | Check leaves from late spring and pick off caterpillars. |
| Yellow blotches, grey fuzz beneath | Aquilegia downy mildew | Remove and bin affected plants and avoid overcrowding. |
| No flowers in the first summer | Normal for spring-sown plants | Plants flower from the following May. |
| Seedlings differ from parent | Cross-pollination | Expected. Buy fresh seed to keep 'Miss M I Huish' true. |
When to Expect Flowers
Plants raised from seed this year flower in May and June of the following year, and every spring after.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Sow | ||||||||||||
| 🪴 Plant out | ||||||||||||
| 🌸 Flowering |
Plant Specifications
Tall violet columbines for the May gap
Sow in autumn or early spring, plant into dappled shade, and from next May you will have deep violet flowers rising above blue-green foliage.
Shop Aquilegia Miss M I Huish Seeds →