Columbine

Name: Columbine

Scientific name: Aquilegia vulgaris

Category: Flowers

Nature Stars: 70

What are nature stars?

About: A tall plant of woodland rides and damp places. Also a common garden plant, and often escapes into the countryside. Flowers in May and June.

How to identify: Recognised by its characteristic purple, chandelier-like flowers. Garden escapes come in many other colours.

Where: Widespread, found throughout the country, but never common.

Fantastic fact: Also sometimes called Granny's Nightcap

Photograph credit: Philip Precey