An Enchanting Perennial
The nodding flower heads are aptly referred to as 'granny's bonnet'.
A Nora Barlow columbine cultivar.
A Nora Barlow columbine cultivar.
Bees and hummingbirds visit columbine flowers.
BC native, red columbine, Aquilegia formosa.
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Common Name: columbine, granny’s bonnet
Botanical Name: Aquilegia vulgaris Form: mounded upright Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Aquilegia Species: vulgaris Plant Type: herbaceous perennial Mature Size: 1.5’ - 3’ x 1’ – 2’ Growth: fast Origin: Europe Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8 Foliage: green with 3 lobed margins arise from a basal crown, die back in summer Flowers: showy, April to May, blues, white, pinks, reds, violet and combinations Fruit: follicles with many shiny black seed within Exposure: sun to partial shade Soil: tolerant of all soils, but prefers well-drained, organically rich Uses: wildflower, cottage, mixed borders, rock gardens Attracts: hummingbirds Invasive Tendencies: they self-seed Tolerates: deer & rabbits Propagation: seeds Pruning: remove spent flowers to encourage more flowers and to prevent reseeding Problems: leaf minor Comments: Common Name: columbine, granny’s bonnet Botanical Name: Aquilegia vulgaris Form: mounded upright Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Aquilegia Species: vulgaris Plant Type: herbaceous perennial Mature Size: 1.5’ - 3’ x 1’ – 2’ Growth: fast Origin: Europe Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8 Foliage: green with 3 lobed margins arise from a basal crown, die back in summer Flowers: showy, April to May, blues, white, pinks, reds, violet and combinations Fruit: follicles with many shiny black seed within Exposure: sun to partial shade Soil: tolerant of all soils, but prefers well-drained, organically rich Uses: wildflower, cottage, mixed borders, rock gardens Attracts: hummingbirds Invasive Tendencies: they self-seed Tolerates: deer & rabbits Propagation: seeds Pruning: remove spent flowers to encourage more flowers and to prevent reseeding Problems: leaf minor Comments: Columbines are known for their unusual and stunning flowers that appear in April and May. These easy to grow perennials self-sow but they are not considered weedy, besides their stunning nodding blossoms are coveted and favoured by many gardeners. Columbine’s flared tubular flowers have a distinctive short, hooked spurs at the back of the flowers. Although this is a common trait, there are some varieties that lack the spurs. Flowers stalks arise from a basal mound surrounded by attractive scalloped foliage. Once the blooms have faded, remove the flower stems to encourage more blossoms. Deadheading also prevents reseeding unless you want to save the seeds and you don’t mind if they pop up elsewhere in the garden. Note that subsequent plants produced from those seeds will not be identical to the parent plant. Variations of the parents result in a vast array of all types of colour combinations and flowers, that never disappoint. Their pretty somewhat lacey foliage declines after flowering ceases. It usually dies back during the heat of the summer. Cut back plants once their foliage turns yellow. Although columbines will even tolerate clay soils, the grow best in moist, rich soil covered in a 3-inch layer of mulch. 
A Nora Barlow columbine cultivar.
Plants emerge in spring with pretty foliage.
Seeds are plentiful and viable.
Collect seeds when seed heads are brown and dry.
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