Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)
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❤️ Why you'll love it
A hardy perennial known for its distinctive, spurred flowers and finely divided, blue-green foliage. It typically flowers from late spring into early summer, producing nodding blooms in shades of purple, blue, pink, white, or bi-coloured forms depending on cultivar and conditions.
It grows best in partial shade to full sun in well-drained soil and is generally low maintenance once established. Plants will often self-seed freely, which can lead to natural spread in suitable garden conditions.
Aquilegia is attractive to pollinators, particularly bees, and works well in cottage garden planting schemes, woodland edges, and mixed herbaceous borders. It tolerates a range of soil types but prefers conditions that do not become waterlogged.
🌿 Details
How to look after Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) in the UK
Position & Light:
Grow in full sun or partial shade. Columbine is a hardy perennial and UK native known for its distinctive, spurred, nodding flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink and white in late spring and early summer, loved by bumblebees. It suits cottage gardens, woodland gardens, shady borders, wildlife gardens and the front to middle of borders.
Soil & Watering:
Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Columbine tolerates most soils but dislikes waterlogging and very dry conditions. Water regularly after planting and during prolonged dry spells, particularly in the first year. Mulch with leaf mould or compost to retain moisture.
Feeding:
Columbine needs little feeding. A mulch of well-rotted compost in spring is usually enough.
Pruning & Maintenance:
Deadhead after flowering to prevent heavy self-seeding, or leave some seed heads to produce new plants, noting that seedlings may vary in colour as columbines hybridise freely. Cut back foliage if it becomes tatty after flowering, and fresh leaves will regrow. Cut back old stems in autumn or early spring. Plants are fairly short-lived, so allow some seedlings to grow on. All parts of the plant are poisonous, so wear gloves when handling and keep it away from children and pets.
Common Problems:
- Leaf miners: Pale, wiggly tracks in leaves. Remove affected leaves and cut back foliage after flowering.
- Powdery mildew: Common in dry conditions late in the season. Water at the base and cut back affected foliage.
- Self-seeding and colour changes: Seedlings vary in colour. Deadhead or choose the best seedlings.
- Short-lived plants: Allow self-seeding or divide to renew.
- Toxicity: All parts are poisonous. Wear gloves and keep out of reach of children and pets.
Supplied bare root, carefully packed with a moisture source to ensure freshness.
Plant height: approximately 10cm.
Please remember that most plants (except Evergreens) are dormant in Autumn/Winter so your order may have no leaves until Spring.
🪴 What Does Bare Root Mean?
Our plants have their full root systems but are carefully removed from the pot and soil before delivery.
The roots are wrapped in moist material and eco-friendly packaging to keep them fresh during transit.
It's less messy, reduces waste, and allows the plant to settle into your garden more easily once planted.
🌱 Sustainably Grown in Britain
Plants are sustainably grown and harvested at our nursery in the South West UK, without the use of pesticides or herbicides.
Packaged using biodegradable materials for an eco-conscious delivery.
📜 Certified & Compliant
We are APHA-authorized for Plant Passports: your assurance that our plants are healthy, pest-free, and meet UK plant health regulations.
🚚 Combined Postage & Fast Dispatch
No extra delivery charge when you buy multiple plants from us! Simply add all the plants you love to your basket and pay one flat delivery fee at checkout.
Shipped via UPS Express, so they are in transit for less than 24 hours: includes care cards tailored to each plant you order.
Orders are sent out at the beginning of each week to reduce time in transit,
see Delivery information.
📌 Planting Advice
Upon arrival, plant immediately in a cool, shaded spot (indoors or outdoors) and water thoroughly.
Once new growth appears, move to the final growing location.
💚 Our Guarantee
If your plant doesn't survive delivery*, just send us a photo and we'll send a replacement (or issue a refund).
No hassle, no worries.
* provided you accept the first delivery attempt