Aquilegia Clementine Red - Cottage Garden Charm in Crimson

Columbine Clementine Red, Aquilegia vulgaris Clementine Red (Clementine Series), Granny’s Bonnet

If you’re looking to add vibrant colour and compact beauty to your garden, Aquilegia Clementine Red is the plant for you. This brilliant little columbine is part of the clementine series and offers bold double red flowers that brighten up any border or container. Easy to grow, charming in structure, and perfect for pollinators, this cheerful perennial deserves a prime spot in every garden.

Aquilegia Clementine Red is a striking cultivar of the European columbine. Belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, this perennial boasts spurless double red flowers that bloom proudly on upright stems. It reaches about 40–50 centimetres tall, forming neat, compact clumps that look fabulous in the border or container.

Unlike traditional columbines with long spurs, the Clementine series stands out with its bushy, double flower form. It’s a newer variety bred for a tidy, upright habit and reliable bloom in late spring to early summer. Its foliage is a lovely bluish-green, offering excellent contrast to its vivid red flowers.

As a herbaceous perennial, this plant will die back in winter and re-emerge each spring, bringing cheer to your garden year after year.

Aquilegia is a fascinating genus within the Ranunculaceae family. With around 70 species spread across Europe, Asia and North America, columbines are a diverse bunch. Aquilegia vulgaris, also known as the European columbine or granny’s bonnet, is native to Europe and widely cultivated in UK gardens.

The genus is known for its variety in colour, form and habit. Plants can have single or double blooms, short or long spurs, and flower colours ranging from soft pastels to bold purples and reds. The Clementine series was bred specifically for compactness, double blooms, and spurless petals, making them ideal for smaller garden spaces.

There are plenty of reasons to grow Aquilegia Clementine Red. First, the colour. These red flowers are bold, fiery, and stand out beautifully against green foliage and softer pastel shades. They mix well with other columbines, clematis, or even purple alliums.

Second, this variety has a compact and bushy growth habit. At 40–50 cm tall, it’s perfect for the front of borders, raised beds, or even pots. It’s also self-supporting, so there’s no need for staking.

Third, it’s a pollinator magnet, bees and butterflies certainly love columbines. The dense flower structure provides excellent access for these helpful garden visitors.

This columbine is an absolute joy to grow. It’s easy to grow from seed, tolerates most UK climates, and thrives in a range of soil types. It prefers well-drained soil with moderate moisture and will tolerate anything from full sun to partial shade.

Start seeds indoors in early spring or sow directly into the garden once the soil warms. Germination may take a few weeks, so be patient. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them to their final location and keep the soil moist until established.

Plants typically bloom in their second year from seed, but buying young plants means you can enjoy blooms the same season.

Aquilegia Clementine Red prefers well-drained soil with a good level of organic matter. The ideal soil type is fertile, moist, but never soggy. Avoid heavy clay unless well improved with compost or grit.

As for position, choose a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled light throughout the day. It can tolerate full sun in cooler areas, but in hotter regions, partial shade helps maintain moisture and keeps the foliage from fading.

Mulching in spring helps retain soil moisture and supports healthy growth during the bloom period.

Clementine Red flowers from late spring into early summer, offering weeks of bright red blooms just as other spring plants begin to fade. The double flowers are held above the foliage on upright stems and make excellent cut flowers for the vase.

Because this variety is part of the Clementine series, it doesn’t have the long spurs typical of many columbines. Instead, it forms tight, full double flowers that resemble small bouquets. They hold their shape well and stay attractive even as they age.

Deadheading spent blooms can encourage a second flush of flowers later in the season.

Yes! Aquilegia Clementine Red does very well in pots and containers. Choose a medium-sized container with good drainage holes and fill it with a peat-free compost mixed with grit or sand.

Water regularly, but don’t overdo it. The key is to maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. A balanced liquid feed during the growing season will keep plants healthy and blooming.

Over winter, containers may need some protection. Either move them to a sheltered spot or wrap the pot to prevent freezing.

As a herbaceous perennial, Aquilegia Clementine Red comes back year after year. It dies down in autumn and regrows from the base each spring.

After a few seasons, clumps can get crowded. To keep your plants vigorous, divide them every three to four years in early spring. Replant healthy divisions into fresh soil for continued blooming.

The plant may also self-seed freely, though seedlings might not come true to the parent if you grow other columbine varieties nearby.

Definitely. Clementine Red columbine looks stunning alongside purple salvia, blue geraniums, and soft green alchemilla. The vivid red flowers add punch to pastel borders and blend beautifully with silvers and greens.

You can also use it to contrast with yellow and orange blooms for a more vibrant bed. Its neat form and compact size make it great for edging paths or adding to cottage gardens.

It also works well with clematis growing nearby, especially those in cooler shades like pale mauve or white.

If you want more Aquilegia Clementine Red, allow some flowers to fade and form seed pods. When the pods turn brown and start to split, collect the seeds and store them in a dry, cool place.

Sow seeds in late summer or early spring in trays filled with seed compost. Cover very lightly and keep moist. Germination can take a few weeks to a couple of months, so patience is key.

Label your trays clearly, especially if you’re growing other columbines nearby. Once seedlings are large enough, pot them on or plant directly into a well-prepared bed.

Aquilegias are generally trouble-free. However, young plants may be attractive to slugs and snails, especially during damp weather. Use wildlife-friendly deterrents or place barriers around vulnerable plants.

Keep an eye out for powdery mildew in dry conditions. Good airflow and regular watering can help prevent it. Avoid wetting the leaves if watering in the evening.

Removing old foliage after blooming can help reduce the risk of disease and keeps your garden looking tidy.

Aquilegia Clementine Red is one of those plants that simply commands attention. Its vivid double blooms have a way of brightening even the most modest planting space, and while I’m not currently growing it myself, I can see precisely why gardeners fall for it. The compact form means it slips neatly into the front of a border or a decorative pot, where its fiery red petals can shine. I especially like how it offers that burst of colour just as many spring favourites are fading, keeping the garden lively and inviting for pollinators. Pairing it with blues, purples, or soft greens creates a striking contrast that feels effortlessly stylish. If you want a perennial that delivers bold colour, tidy growth, and genuine garden cheer, Clementine Red is a choice you won’t regret.

Q: What is Aquilegia Clementine Red?

A: Aquilegia Clementine Red is a compact, herbaceous perennial from the Clementine series, known for its striking double red, spurless blooms. A cultivated variety of the European columbine, it belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and produces dense, upright clusters of flowers above bluish-green foliage. Flowering from late spring to early summer, this elegant cultivar adds a bold accent to cottage gardens, borders, or containers. It is also valued for its neat, bushy growth habit and excellent performance as a cut flower. As a hardy perennial, it returns reliably each year when grown in suitable conditions.

Q: Where can I buy Aquilegia Clementine Red?

A: Aquilegia Clementine Red is widely available in the UK from reputable garden centres and online plant retailers. Whether you’re shopping for potted specimens or seeds, you’ll find this attractive cultivar listed under both its common and botanical names. For best results, choose healthy, well-established plants or certified seed from trusted suppliers, especially in early spring or autumn, when planting conditions are ideal.

Q: How do I grow Aquilegia Clementine Red in my garden?

A: This columbine thrives in moist but well-drained soil and is ideally suited to borders, cottage gardens, and pots. It prefers full sun or partial shade and benefits from consistent moisture during its growing season. Feed lightly in spring and deadhead faded blooms to encourage continued flowering. In autumn, cut back foliage to ground level. It’s an easy-to-grow perennial that self-seeds modestly, forming attractive clumps over time. Ensure soil is enriched with organic matter and avoid overly wet or compacted conditions, especially in winter. This variety pairs beautifully with other spring perennials like geraniums and early clematis.

Q: Is Clementine Red suitable for containers or small spaces?

A: Yes, Clementine Red is ideal for pots, containers, and compact planting schemes due to its neat, upright habit and relatively small footprint. Reaching heights of 30–45cm, this variety is well-suited to balcony gardens, courtyard beds, or decorative planters. Choose a container with good drainage and use a loam-based compost. Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells, and feed periodically during the growing season. Combine with other spring-flowering perennials for a layered, colourful effect. Regular deadheading will extend its bloom period, while its vivid double red flowers provide long-lasting appeal in tight garden spaces.

Q: Will Aquilegia Clementine Red return every year?

A: As a hardy herbaceous perennial, Clementine Red reliably returns each spring. While the top growth dies back in autumn, the root system remains alive underground. With proper care—such as feeding in spring, dividing overcrowded clumps every few years, and maintaining well-drained soil—this plant will bloom for many seasons. It may also gently self-seed in suitable conditions, helping to form naturalised drifts. However, offspring may not always be true to type, so for consistency, propagate from division or named seed. Its perennial nature makes it a dependable performer in both traditional and contemporary planting schemes.