This small perennial has slender upright stems and forms a clumping habit. It has divided blue-green leaves with lobed leaflets and the nodding blue bell-shaped flowers appear above the foliage during spring.

Hardiness zones 3 to 19

Aquilegia alpina is naturally found in Europe growing in woodlands and commonly associated with water courses.

It prefers a well drained, fertile moist light soil in an open sunny position and is frost tolerant but drought tender.

Alpine Columbine is grown for its clumping habit and its flowers. It is planted in small or alpine gardens along front borders or used in moist rockeries. It is also used for cut flowers and is grown in patio pots and planter boxes. It is fast growing and establishes in one season and should be planting out at 30cm (1ft) apart. ID 781

Aquilegia(ăp-kwi-LEE-gee-a) alpina(ĂL-peena)