Aquilegia bertolonii, commonly known as Bertoloni’s Columbine, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to the mountainous regions of Southern France and Northern Italy, particularly the Alps and the Apennines. It typically grows up to 12 inches in height and produces up to four spurred blue-purple flowers on each erect stem during its flowering season in early summer. The flowers are quite showy and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Bertoloni’s Columbine has blue-green, lobed leaves that add to its ornamental value.

This dwarf columbine is valued for its compact growth habit and striking flowers, making it an excellent choice for rockeries, alpine gardens, and as a border plant in cottage gardens. It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its reliability and performance in gardens. Bertoloni’s Columbine prefers well-drained, fertile soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. It requires moderate watering, especially during dry periods, but is relatively low maintenance once established. While it is generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to leaf miners and powdery mildew.CC BY-SA 4.0