Aquilegia vulgaris
Columbine
Common names: Common columbine, Forest columbine, Elf's glove
Photo: Ivar Leidus · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
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Description
The common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) enchants in May and June with its uniquely spurred flowers in blue, violet, and white. It thrives in naturalistic cottage gardens, blooming joyfully and reappearing in surprising places in subsequent years, often in new color combinations. Bumblebees with long proboscises are its most faithful visitors. All plant parts are mildly toxic.
Care instructions
Sow as a cool-season crop best directly in early summer (June, week 24) into the garden bed or allow self‑sowing. It prefers semi‑shaded spots with fresh, humus‑rich soil but can also tolerate full sun. Water during dry periods. After flowering, cut back if you wish to limit self‑sowing, or leave some seed heads to keep the plant in the garden.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
humus-rich, loamy, well-drained, nutrient-rich
Feeding
Light feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Notes from real gardens
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