Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Sweet Dreams' (Columbine 'Sweet Dreams')

Botanical name

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Sweet Dreams'

Other names

Columbine 'Sweet Dreams', Clematis-flowered granny's bonnets 'Sweet Dreams', Clematis-flowered columbine 'Sweet Dreams'

Genus

Aquilegia Aquilegia

Variety or Cultivar

'Sweet Dreams' _ 'Sweet Dreams' is an upright herbaceous perennial with marbled, yellow and green, divided leaves and, from late spring into summer, spurless, star-like, pink flowers that fade to shades of cream and green.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright

Toxicity

Eating may cause stomach irritation

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Colour

Flower

Pale-pink in Spring; Pale-green, Cream, Pale-pink in Summer

Foliage

Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Caterpillars , Leaf-mining sawflies , Sawflies

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Cut back foliage affected by fungal diseases

Propagation

Sowing from seed is the preferred propagation method; will be slow to recover after division. Aquilegia hybridise freely in the garden so plants grown from garden-collected seed may not come true to type.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Sweet Dreams' (Columbine 'Sweet Dreams') will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-3 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

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

Soil type

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

Soil drainage

Moist but 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 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Sweet Dreams' (Columbine 'Sweet Dreams')

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/