European Columbine

(Aquilegia vulgaris)

European Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)

Arne Nordmann ([[user:norro]]), Germany {{GFDL}}

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: Arne Nordmann ([[user:norro]]), Germany {{GFDL}}

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Arne Nordmann ([[user:norro]]), Germany {{GFDL}} | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Uploader: Norro | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Aquilegia_vulgaris1.jpg | Notes: Uploaded own work with UploadWizard |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Aquilegia vulgaris, commonly known as European Columbine, is a deciduous perennial herb. It is native to a variety of habitats in Europe, including meadows, woodlands, and rocky slopes. The plant typically grows to 1.2 meters tall, with branched, thinly hairy stems. Its distinctive flowers, which come in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white, are nodding with hooked spurs and are quite showy, blooming in early summer. The foliage is a soft green and somewhat lobed, adding to its ornamental value.

European Columbine is appreciated for its unique flower shape and the variety of colors it offers, making it a popular choice for cottage gardens, borders, and naturalistic plantings. It is relatively easy to maintain, but spent flower-heads should be removed to prevent self-seeding, which can lead to a weedy appearance. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full sun to part shade. While it can be a short-lived perennial, many gardeners treat it as a biennial. Aquilegia vulgaris can be potentially invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 1.5-3 feet
Width: 1-2 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Meadows, woodlands, and rocky slopes in Europe

Other Names

Common Names: Columbine, Common Columbine, Granny’s Nightcap, Granny’s Bonnet, European Crowfoot, Capon’s-Feather, Granny Bonnets, Granny’s-Bonnet, Columbine, Gemeine Akelei

Scientific Names: , Aquilegia vulgaris, Aquilegia mollis, Aquilegia ruscinonensis, Aquilegia nemoralis, Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata, Aquilegia arbascensis, Aquilegia vulgaris f. praecox, Aquilegia vulgaris var. glandulosopilosa, Aquilegia vulgaris var. nemoralis

GBIF Accepted Name: Aquilegia vulgaris L.