Common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) is a perennial plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris).
This plant has several common names including: common columbine, American bluebells, American snapdragon, capon’s tail, cock’s foot, culverwort, dove plant, God’s breath, granny’s bonnets, lady’s shoes, lion’s herb, naked woman’s foot, pigeon flower, pigeon foot or sow wort.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: common columbine, American bluebells, American snapdragon, capon’s tail, cock’s foot, culverwort, dove plant, God’s breath, granny’s bonnets, lady’s shoes, lion’s herb, naked woman’s foot, pigeon flower, pigeon foot, sow wort
Scientific name: Aquilegia vulgaris
Plant type: Perennials
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) – Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0 EE, via Wikimedia Commons
Perennial plants are one of the largest groups of plants.
They offer color, shape, fragrance and seasonal textures. The variety is such that there are plants to suit all sizes and styles of garden.
Traditionally, perennials are grown in borders, using a wall or hedge as a backdrop to bring out all their splendor during summer.
But since most gardens are not large enough for long borders dedicated exclusively to perennials, they are usually planted in mixed borders and beds, along with shrubs, annuals, biennials, and bulbs that extend the season of interest.
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Aquilegia vulgaris likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) – Danyil Solovchuk, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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