Aquilegia vulgaris
Common Name(s):
Common columbine
European crowfoot
Synonym:
Granny's bonnet
Flower:
Blue
Blooms :
Apr
to:
May
Showy flowers with spreading sepals that are short spurred or spurless
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Green
Biturnate, medium leaves basal glabrous above, glaucuous below, upper leaves divided into lobed leaflets, 3-lobed at tip
Fall Color?
NO
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Europe
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
M
Sun Needs:
Partial Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
1.5-3'
Spread:
1-2'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Woodlands, thickets, meadows, fens
Soil:
Average, medium moisture, rich, organic, well-drained
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Medium
Fertilizer:
Light feeder, use balanced phosphorous rich (5-10-5) in early spring, compost or sslow release fertilizer applied once or twice per season
Mulch:
Apply 2-3" layer of bark chips or compost in early spring after removeing heavy winter mulch
Provide adequate moisture, trim back spent flowers for re-bloom, cut back seed heads if seeding is not wanted, cut back dead foliage, mulch to conserve water and protect the root crown.
Long Term:
Winter:
Ensure the soil is well-drained
Spring:
Give a slow release balanced fertilizer, remove any dead leaves from previous year if still there, give water if dry
Summer:
Cut back old seed heads and foliage to keep good looking
Fall:
Cut back old foliage to the ground, mulch crown to protect from winter weather
General Care Comments:
Provide a sunny location with rich well-drained soil, deadhead if you don't want self seeding, cut back foliage after it declines, add mulch to prserve moisture and protect root crown
Common Problems
Main one is foliage decline mid summer that requires cutting back to ground level
Diseases:
Downy mildew, powdery mildew, leaf spot
Insects:
Leaf miners, sawflies, aphids
Environmental Problems:
Foliage decline mid-summer
Pests:
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