Intermediate
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Aquilegia vulgaris (Granny's bonnet)
2 hours care
per year
per year
0.9m
Max height
Max height
0.45m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Aquilegia vulgaris
Other names
Granny's bonnet, Common columbine, American bluebells, American snapdragon, Capon's tail, Cock's foot, Culverwort, Dove plant, God's breath, Lady's shoes, Lion's herb, Naked woman's foot, Pigeon flower, Pigeon foot, Sow wort
Genus
Aquilegia Aquilegia
Species
A. vulgaris - A. vulgaris is an upright herbaceous perennial with green, divided foliage and nodding flowers ranging in colour from violet and blue to pink and white, with short, hooked spurs which bloom on top of tall stems from late spring to early summer.
Aquilegia vulgaris is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
Eating can cause stomach irritation.
Flower
White, Violet, Pink, Blue in Spring; Blue, White, Violet, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Leaf-mining sawflies , Caterpillars Aphids , Leaf-mining sawflies , Caterpillars
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut back stems after flowering. Cut down leaves in autumn, or earlier if affected by fungal diseases.
Propagation
Sowing from seed is the preferred propagation method. Aquilegia hybridises freely in the garden so plants grown from garden-collected seed may not come true to type. Divide and replant roots in spring. Resents disturbance so may take some time to recover
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Aquilegia vulgaris (Granny's bonnet) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.45m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Rock
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, soil. Likes full sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Columbines look good bunched together, or interplanted with roses. As thier flowers fade, the roses begin to bloom. Cut back the columbines to make space for the flowering roses.
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Aquilegia vulgaris
Other names
Granny's bonnet, Common columbine, American bluebells, American snapdragon, Capon's tail, Cock's foot, Culverwort, Dove plant, God's breath, Lady's shoes, Lion's herb, Naked woman's foot, Pigeon flower, Pigeon foot, Sow wort
Genus
Aquilegia Aquilegia
Species
A. vulgaris - A. vulgaris is an upright herbaceous perennial with green, divided foliage and nodding flowers ranging in colour from violet and blue to pink and white, with short, hooked spurs which bloom on top of tall stems from late spring to early summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
Eating can cause stomach irritation.
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White, Violet, Pink, Blue in Spring; Blue, White, Violet, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Leaf-mining sawflies , Caterpillars
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Cut back stems after flowering. Cut down leaves in autumn, or earlier if affected by fungal diseases.
Propagation
Sowing from seed is the preferred propagation method. Aquilegia hybridises freely in the garden so plants grown from garden-collected seed may not come true to type. Divide and replant roots in spring. Resents disturbance so may take some time to recover
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Aquilegia vulgaris (Granny's bonnet) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.45m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Rock
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, soil. Likes full sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Aquilegia vulgaris (Granny's bonnet)
Common pest name
; Aquilegia downy mildew
Scientific pest name
Aquilegia downy mildew
Type
Oomycete
Current status in UK
Present (Widespread)
Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
5
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
Established pest of a widely grown ornamental in the UK. Potential for economic and social impacts unless resistant varieties are developed. Statutory action unlikely to prevent further spread.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
Pink variety Columbine
These tend to jump around the garden but don't become invasive. (18/01/2012)
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
Columbines look good bunched together, or interplanted with roses. As thier flowers fade, the roses begin to bloom. Cut back the columbines to make space for the flowering roses.
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Inspired by the mission to support British woodlands and forests for future generations, the garden has been designed to highlight the crucial relationship between soil, fungi and plants, which… read more
Corten steel is a modern material often used by garden designers and landscape architects to make garden planters, retaining walls and other structures. Here are some inspirational uses of… read more
The garden, created by award-winning designer Sarah Eberle, underlines that we need to increase tree cover, diversify planting and follow biosecurity guidelines to help protect our landscapes from… read more
Hartley Botanic has exhibited stunning trade stands at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for nearly sixty years. For 2016, however, MD Johnny Mobasher is taking their presence at the event to the next… read more
The Telegraph Garden for the 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been designed by the renowned landscape and garden designer Marcus Barnett. read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login