The short answer

Quick Answer

Aquilegia (Columbine) thrives in partial shade or full shade on chalky, clay soils (pH 6-7.5), free-draining. Reaches 45 to 75cm tall in flower, 30cm spread. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -25°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: After flowering. Cut back tatty foliage

How: Cut flower stems to ground level after bloom. Cut back old leaves for fresh regrowth

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Europe, including the UK

Native or exotic: Native. Aquilegia vulgaris is a true British native of woodland edges

History: Aquilegia has been grown in British gardens since at least the 1300s and was a favourite in medieval monastery gardens

Folklore: In medieval folklore, aquilegia was associated with doves because the spurs were said to resemble five doves clustered together. The name columbine comes from columba, Latin for dove

Fun fact: Each flower has five hollow spurs containing nectar. Long-tongued bees and moths reach the nectar, while short-tongued bees often chew through the spurs from outside

Historical medicinal uses: Used historically in small doses for various complaints. All parts toxic. Not for self-medication

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Bees, especially long-tongued bumblebees. Moths visit pale cultivars at dusk [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 7 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Medium. Native species support leaf-mining insects[3][4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 Flowers May to June. Fresh blue-green leaves appear in March[4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Excellent with dicentra, hellebores and hardy geraniums in cottage borders

Pest control: Watch for aquilegia sawfly in May, which strips leaves rapidly

Common diseases and issues: Aquilegia sawfly, powdery mildew, leaf miner. See RHS aquilegia sawfly advice

Invasive note: Self-seeds freely. Deadhead if you want to control the colour range

CGM care note

We love the way aquilegias seed themselves around the garden in unexpected combinations. If a colour appears we do not like, we pull it out before it sets seed. Sawfly strips the leaves in some years but plants always recover.

CGM guides mentioning Aquilegia (Columbine)

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Aquilegia (Columbine) and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Aquilegia (Columbine)

How Aquilegia (Columbine) fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Bugle, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Astilbe, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Bay, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Beech, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Bergenia (Elephant Ears), shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Blueberry, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap

Avoid planting beside

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Aquilegia (Columbine).

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Aquilegia (Columbine) are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Aquilegia (Columbine) (Aquilegia vulgaris and hybrids). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Aquilegia (Columbine). The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Aquilegia vulgaris and hybrids. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Ranunculaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Wang W, Liu Y, Yu SX, et al. (2014). Ranunculaceae phylogeny and evolution. Journal of Systematics and Evolution, 52(2), 161-174.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Ranunculaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, biodiversity_value.

  4. 4
    Garbuzov M, Ratnieks FLW (2014). Quantifying variation among garden plants in attractiveness to bees and other flower-visiting insects. Functional Ecology, 28(2), 364-374.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 7/10 for Aquilegia (Columbine). The pollinator description above ("Bees, especially long-tongued bumblebees. Moths visit pale cultivars at dusk") aligns with this study's finding that moderate-ranked plants attract a steady but not exceptional number of flower-visiting insects. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Native species support leaf-mining insects") reflects the plant's supplementary role in providing nectar during its flowering window (Seasonal highlight: "Flowers May to June. Fresh blue-green leaves appear in March"). Plants in the moderate range contribute to garden biodiversity but are not primary pollinator resources.

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 7/10 and the Pollinators description ("Bees, especially long-tongued bumblebees. Moths visit pale cultivars at dusk"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Aquilegia (Columbine)'s ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Native species support leaf-mining insects") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Aquilegia (Columbine). The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Aquilegia (Columbine)'s rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Ranunculaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Aquilegia (Columbine). The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Aquilegia (Columbine). This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Aquilegia (Columbine). The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Aquilegia (Columbine). The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Aquilegia (Columbine). The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Aquilegia (Columbine). This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Aquilegia (Columbine). Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Aquilegia (Columbine) performs well locally

Towns where Aquilegia (Columbine) is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

View all areas we cover