Aquilegia vulgaris
common columbine
The wild species is usually blue, with nodding 'bonnets', but many purple, mauve, pink and white colour variants have developed in gardens during its long history in cultivation
Other common names
American bluebellsculverwort
see moredove plant
God's breath
granny's bonnets
lady's shoes
lion's herb
naked woman's foot
pigeon flower
sow wort
American snapdragon
capon's tail
cock's foot
pigeon foot
Synonyms
Aquilegia vulgaris mixed
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Aquilegia are clump-forming herbaceous perennials with long-stalked, ternately divided basal leaves and erect, leafy stems bearing bell-shaped flowers with spreading, coloured sepals and petals with spurs, on branched stems
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- W,C&S Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in spring, late summer or early autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Cut back after flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
Susceptible to powdery mildews and aquilegia downy mildew
Get involved
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