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Common Columbine

©Philip Precey

Columbine

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Scientific name: Aquilegia vulgaris
The bonnet-shaped, violet-blue flowers of Columbine can be spotted in damp areas in woodlands and in fens. It is also an attractive and much-loved garden plant.

Top facts

Category

Stats

Height: up to 1m

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

May to June

About

Columbine is a tall plant of woodland rides, fens and damp places, and is also a favourite cottage-garden plant - various forms often escape into the countryside. Its nodding, bonnet-shaped, blue flowers appear in May and June and will self-seed in a garden to provide a colourful and wild border, great for nectar-loving bees.

What to look for

A tall, branching plant, Columbine can be recognised by its characteristic violet or blue (rarely white), chandelier-like flowers. Garden escapees come in many other colours and forms.

Where to find

Widespread, but never common.

Habitats

Did you know?

Columbine is also sometimes called 'Granny's Nightcap' or 'Granny's Bonnet' because of its flowers' resemblance to little purple bonnets.