Common Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris
Also listed as Aquilegia albopleno, Aquilegia caryophylloides
Also known as Columbine, European Columbine, Granny Bonnets
Climate Match for your location
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Common columbine is a charming cottage garden perennial with delicate spurred flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white that bloom in late spring and early summer. It prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, attracting hummingbirds and pollinators to the garden.
Why grow it
Common columbine offers reliable spring-to-early-summer color and structure in partially shaded gardens where many perennials struggle. Its nodding, spurred flowers are distinctive among garden perennials and consistently attract hummingbirds and native bees. Compared to other Aquilegia species, A. vulgaris establishes more readily in cooler climates and tolerates somewhat drier conditions once established, making it a practical choice for mixed borders and woodland edges.
Watch out for
Plants often self-seed prolifically, which may require deadheading or seedling removal if you want to prevent volunteer colonization. Foliage can appear ratty or diseased by late summer in warm, humid regions, though this does not typically affect plant survival or next season's performance. Seedlings from self-sown seed may differ in color from the parent plant, which matters if you are trying to maintain a specific cultivar.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native Range
European
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
McKana Giants produce large hybrid flowers in vibrant mixed colors and reach 2.5–3 feet tall. The Songbird series offers dwarf cultivars (18–24 inches) with named varieties like 'Nora Barlow' (double flowers) and species A. canadensis and A. formosa are preferred by native plant enthusiasts for their refined form and hummingbird attraction.
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Common columbine is a charming cottage garden perennial with delicate spurred flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white that bloom in late spring and early summer. It prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, attracting hummingbirds and pollinators to the garden.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Columbine grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common columbine offers reliable spring-to-early-summer color and structure in partially shaded gardens where many perennials struggle. Its nodding, spurred flowers are distinctive among garden perennials and consistently attract hummingbirds and native bees. Compared to other Aquilegia species, A. vulgaris establishes more readily in cooler climates and tolerates somewhat drier conditions once established, making it a practical choice for mixed borders and woodland edges.
Watch out for
Plants often self-seed prolifically, which may require deadheading or seedling removal if you want to prevent volunteer colonization. Foliage can appear ratty or diseased by late summer in warm, humid regions, though this does not typically affect plant survival or next season's performance. Seedlings from self-sown seed may differ in color from the parent plant, which matters if you are trying to maintain a specific cultivar.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native Range
European
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
McKana Giants produce large hybrid flowers in vibrant mixed colors and reach 2.5–3 feet tall. The Songbird series offers dwarf cultivars (18–24 inches) with named varieties like 'Nora Barlow' (double flowers) and species A. canadensis and A. formosa are preferred by native plant enthusiasts for their refined form and hummingbird attraction.