Product description
Aquilegia atrata is a highly sought-after perennial celebrated for its incredibly dark, deeply intense, almost black nodding flowers. It naturally thrives in woodland settings, offering a moody, gothic aesthetic that provides brilliant contrast against standard green foliage in shaded borders.
Plant this columbine in dappled light and ensure the soil is rich in organic matter and freely draining. Maintain a consistent level of moisture at the roots without allowing the earth to become waterlogged, and rigorously deadhead the fading blooms to prevent unwanted cross-pollination with lighter varieties.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Columbine
Aquilegia atrata
Aquilegia atrata
Plant more, save more
Product description
Aquilegia atrata is a highly sought-after perennial celebrated for its incredibly dark, deeply intense, almost black nodding flowers. It naturally thrives in woodland settings, offering a moody, gothic aesthetic that provides brilliant contrast against standard green foliage in shaded borders.
Plant this columbine in dappled light and ensure the soil is rich in organic matter and freely draining. Maintain a consistent level of moisture at the roots without allowing the earth to become waterlogged, and rigorously deadhead the fading blooms to prevent unwanted cross-pollination with lighter varieties.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Give your plants the best start
Garden Plant Size Guide
Plants in larger pots can be multiple years older than their smaller counterparts with more mature root systems and foliage. This makes them able to thrive as a full size plant in your garden quicker than smaller alternatives.
The most common size of pot that garden plants come in are 9cm/1L/3L/5L this is in reference to the diameter at the top of the pot.
9cm potted plants still remain the most popular cost effective option though, they just may take a little patience to allow them to grow into full maturity once planted in your garden.
Plant specs, care guide & tips
Key features
Specifications
When to plant
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planting and period of interest times are general guidelines and may vary based on your location and conditions. For best results, consult local gardening resources.
Instructions
Top Tip
To preserve the incredibly dark, almost black flowers of Aquilegia atrata, snip off the fading blooms before they drop seeds. This prevents it from hybridising with lighter columbines nearby. You will effectively force the plant to focus on building a stronger basal rosette for the following year.
How to Water
Give your newly planted Aquilegia atrata a generous, targeted drenching at soil level right away. Moving forward, keep the earth consistently damp like a wrung-out sponge, avoiding completely waterlogged conditions. Direct all moisture strictly to the roots to prevent powdery mildew from ruining its deep green foliage.
How to Plant
Dig a hole in dappled shade specifically for Aquilegia atrata, ensuring the dark soil complements its moody aesthetic. Settle the root ball carefully so the delicate crown sits perfectly flush with the earth. Firm the surrounding dirt gently to anchor the base without smothering the emerging shoots.
