Columbine, European columbine, Granny's Bonnet, European Crowfoot
Aquilegia vulgaris
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Late spring.Form: Upright or erect.
Aquilegia vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Moist shady positions, especially on calcareous soils or fenland peat.
Central and southern Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Temperate China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Flowers - raw. Rich in nectar, they are sweet and delightful, they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden. The flowers are also used as a tea substitute.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Columbine was formerly employed in herbal medicine mainly for its antiscorbutic effect, but it has fallen out of favour and is little used nowadays. The leaves root and seed are astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, parasiticide. Because of its toxic properties, this plant should not be taken internally without expert advice, though the root is sometimes used externally in poultices to treat ulcers and the commoner skin diseases. The plant can be harvested at any time from June to October. Columbine has produced very unsatisfactory results and is not normally used medicinally. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of affections of the nervous system.
Antianxiety: Helps relieve anxiety. See also Nervine and Sedative.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Homeopathy: A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in
Other
Rating:
The seed is used as a parasiticide to rid the hair of lice. The dried and crushed seed is used to kill external body parasites.
Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Rock garden, Woodland garden. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position. Thrives in partial shade. Intolerant of heavy clay. Plants are hardy to at least -25°c. Whilst the blue-flowered forms of this species have no scent, white flowered forms have a soft clove scent in order to attract pollinating insects. Most species are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically. This species usually self-sows freely in the garden, it is very apt to hybridize with other members of the genus and usually becomes the dominant partner in any hybridization. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. It also attracts red spider mites to the garden, these can then move on to other crops such as apples, pears and strawberries. It grows well with rhubarb. Special Features:Attracts birds, Not North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Suitable for cut flowers. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots .
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate. Stored seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The plant is poisonous though the toxins are destroyed by heat or by drying. Although this plant contains alkaloids, no cases of poisoning to humans or other mammals have been recorded.