Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Ruby Port' (Columbine 'Ruby Port')

Botanical name

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Ruby Port'

Other names

Columbine 'Ruby Port', Granny's bonnet 'Ruby Port', Grannies bonnet 'Ruby Port', Aquilegia 'Ruby Port'

Genus

Aquilegia Aquilegia

Variety or Cultivar

'Ruby Port' _ 'Ruby Port' is a mound-forming, herbaceous perennial with finely-divided, light green leaves and upright stems bearing double, nodding, deep red to maroon flowers in late spring and early summer.

Native to

Europe

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Cushion or Mound Forming

Toxicity

Eating can cause stomach irritation.

Colour

Flower

Maroon in Spring; Maroon in Summer

Foliage

Light green in Autumn

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Leaf-mining sawflies , Caterpillars

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Cut back stems after flowering. Cut down leaves in autumn, or earlier if affected by fungal diseases.

Propagation

Sowing from seed is the preferred propagation method. Aquilegia hybridises freely in the garden so plants grown from garden-collected seed may not come true to type. Divide and replant roots in spring. Resents disturbance so may take some time to recover

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Ruby Port' (Columbine 'Ruby Port') will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Rock

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, soil. Likes full sun or partial shade.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Ruby Port' (Columbine 'Ruby Port')

Common pest name

; Aquilegia downy mildew

Scientific pest name

Aquilegia downy mildew

Type

Oomycete

Current status in UK

Present (Widespread)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Established pest of a widely grown ornamental in the UK. Potential for economic and social impacts unless resistant varieties are developed. Statutory action unlikely to prevent further spread.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/