Common columbine Aquilegia vulgaris
Common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, native to Europe and North Africa. It grows 50–90 cm (20–35 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Common columbine in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Common columbine at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Mature height | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe and North Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇴 Norway |
Is Common columbine toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: seeds, roots, all parts
Cardiogenic glycosides and alkaloids can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and heart effects; seeds and roots are most toxic.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Common columbine
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Common columbine in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (6 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (12 plants)
Questions about Common columbine
- How far apart should I plant Common columbine?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Common columbine need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common columbine need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Common columbine?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Common columbine flower?
- From about May for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Common columbine poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Cardiogenic glycosides and alkaloids can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and heart effects; seeds and roots are most toxic.
- What grows well with Common columbine?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Common columbine. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Short-lived but self-seeds freely; hybridises with other columbines, so seedlings vary in colour.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Love-in-a-mist Nigella damascena
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- Christmas rose Helleborus niger
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