What hardiness zones is Aquilegia vulgaris suitable for?

Aquilegia vulgaris is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Aquilegia vulgaris?

Aquilegia vulgaris requires Part Sun.

How much water does Aquilegia vulgaris need?

Aquilegia vulgaris has Medium water needs.

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Perennials

Aquilegia vulgaris

columbine

RanunculaceaeEurope

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-36 inches (45-90 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Hummingbirds

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

An herbaceous perennial forming an upright clump 18-36 inches (45-90 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide at flowering. Basal leaves are ternately compound, each leaflet 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across, rounded with three to five lobed margins, blue-green in color. Stem leaves are smaller, becoming sessile near the top. Flowers are nodding, 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across, composed of five sepals and five petals; each petal extends backward into a hollow, strongly curved nectar spur 0.5-0.8 inches (12-20 mm) long. Typical flower colors are blue to violet, but white, pink, and red forms exist; garden populations include extensive variation from natural and deliberate hybridization. Flowers appear May to June. Seed capsules are erect, 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) long, splitting at maturity to release black seeds. Plants are typically short-lived (3-4 years) and self-seed freely. Foliage may develop powdery mildew or leaf miners by midsummer; plants often look worn after flowering. All parts are toxic if ingested.

Native Range

Native to Europe from the British Isles and Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean and east through central Europe and Russia. Found in woodland margins, meadows, and hedgerows in moist, moderately fertile soils. Naturalized in parts of North America following long cultivation history.

Suggested Uses

Planted in partial shade borders and woodland edges at 12-18 inch (30-45 cm) spacing. Self-seeds freely in informal plantings; may require management in formal gardens where seedling variability and volume are undesirable. Grown as a short-term cut flower; stems last 5-7 days when cut just as flowers open. Not recommended for high-maintenance formal plantings due to midsummer decline in foliage appearance.

How to Identify

Distinguished by nodding flowers with five backward-curved nectar spurs 0.5-0.8 inches (12-20 mm) long, typically blue-violet (variable in cultivation). Basal leaves are ternately compound with blue-green, rounded, lobed leaflets. Compared to North American columbines, A. vulgaris has strongly hooked spurs rather than straight or slightly curved ones. Self-seeded plants are highly variable in flower color due to extensive cross-pollination in garden settings.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

blue

purple

white

pink

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring

May through June in zones 4-7; blooming may begin in late April in zone 7 and warmer areas. Individual plants flower for 3-4 weeks; total colony bloom period is 4-6 weeks as plants flower in sequence. Second-year plants typically produce more flowering stems than first-year plants. Flowering declines in plants older than 3-4 years; self-seeded replacement plants extend colony persistence.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Blue-violet (variable: white, pink, red in cultivation)

Foliage Description

Blue-green, ternately compound with rounded lobed leaflets

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in moist, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in partial shade to full sun. Full sun is tolerated in zones 4-6 with consistent moisture; afternoon shade reduces heat stress in zones 7 and warmer. Water during establishment and during dry periods in the first growing season; established plants tolerate 1-2 weeks without rain. Allow some seed heads to develop for self-seeding, as individual plants are short-lived (3-4 years) and self-seeded replacements maintain the colony. Leaf miners create pale tunnels in leaves by midsummer; cosmetic only. Powdery mildew develops on foliage in warm, humid conditions; cut foliage to ground level after bloom if appearance is unsatisfactory, as new leaves may emerge.

Pruning

Cut flowering stems to ground level after bloom if self-seeding is not desired. If self-seeding is wanted, allow at least some seed capsules to mature and shatter before cutting back. Foliage cut to ground level after bloom often regenerates by late summer. Do not cut back in fall; the basal rosette provides some winter interest and re-emerges reliably in spring.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans