Aquilegia Early Bird Red and White

Aquilegia Early Bird Red and White is a charming perennial that brings a touch of elegance and cheer to late spring gardens. Its distinctive nodding blooms, with deep crimson outer petals and crisp white centres, dance lightly on slender stems above fresh green foliage. Compact and early to flower, it’s perfect for borders, cottage gardens, or containers, attracting bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich blossoms. Flowering weeks ahead of traditional varieties, it provides a welcome burst of colour after winter. Hardy and easy to grow, this delightful columbine is equally enchanting as a cut flower, adding grace indoors as well as out.

Planting Instructions

Aquilegia ‘Early Bird Red and White’ is a compact, free-flowering perennial with striking two-tone blooms of deep red and pure white, perfect for adding a pop of colour to spring borders, cottage gardens, and patio pots.

When to Plant:
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding periods of frost or extreme heat.

Where to Plant:
Choose a sunny or lightly shaded spot in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Aquilegias perform well in mixed borders and look especially charming among other spring perennials.

How to Plant:

• Depth: Plant so the crown is level with the soil surface.
• Spacing: 25–30 cm (10–12 inches) apart.
• Tip: Water well after planting to help roots establish.

Aftercare:
Water regularly in dry spells during the first season. Remove spent flower stems to prolong flowering. After blooming, allow some seed heads to develop if you want them to self-seed gently in the garden. Cut back old foliage in late autumn or early spring to encourage fresh growth.

Top Tip:
For a longer season of colour, plant alongside later-flowering perennials such as hardy geraniums or campanulas — they will take over as the aquilegia finishes its spring display.

Plant Details

Flowering Period:

May - August

Height:

14” (40cm)

Hardy Perennial

Tip: Cut back after intial flowering for re-growth and continious flowering into late summer