Aquilegia vulgaris
Common columbine, Culverwort, European columbine, European crowfoot, Grandma's bonnet
- Height × spread
- 0.4m – 0.9m × 0.3m – 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A dainty plant that has short-spurred flowers in spring. These are held on sturdy stems above the pretty sprays of rather rounded leaflets. The lightness of their effect is disarming but don't be deceived, these are hearty plants. The flowers come in both double and single forms, the doubles often having delightfully pleated petals. The flowers are in shades of pink and blue, purple and white as well as the odd yellow form. The old favourite 'Nora Barlow', a pink and white lady, has many petalled flowers that look like layered powder puffs. The Winky series are showy bi-colours and 'William Guiness' is a stylish black and white. The species includes forms with curiously streaked foliage, the Vervaeneana group.
- Flower colour
- Black, Blue, Cream, Lilac, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Column
- Height
- 0.4m – 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Exotic garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Trim dead flowers to prevent self-seeding
Note on self-seeding: If you do not want this plant to set seed it is necessary to promptly remove the spent flowers as they fade.
It's possible to carefully remove the seed heads, complete with seed, and then place them in areas where you would like new seedlings to grow.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.
Found in
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