Description
Aquilegia vulgaris var. clematiflora (A. vulgaris var. stellata) | Clematis-Flowered Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris known most commonly as Columbine is also known as Granny’s Bonnet, European Crowfoot, European columbine, and Grannys Nightcap. It’s an all time favorite garden and wildflower that can be found growing in woodlands and meadows. Columbine species are hardy, herbaceous, short-lived perennials that are easy to grow from seed and will tolerate a large range of soil and sun types. Will do well in full sun, but will flower better with some shade. (Some columbines go dormant in the summer and will grow foliage again in the fall.) The leaves which are the main attraction the first year are fern-like and resemble that of Meadow Rue and Clover. The plants will typically bloom during the second year of growth from late spring to early summer. Columbine flower petals are spurred, which is a major characteristic that sets them apart from most other flowers. They will grow in a wide range of soils and even gravel and are drought tolerant and tough as nails.
‘Clematiflora’ Columbine is a very distinctive, old-fashioned variety. While traditional Columbine flowers have five spurless sepals and five tubular petals with spurs, the Clematiflora flower has no petals, but rather ten or more sepals which lie flat and create a starry, open-faced bloom that is usually held facing downward.The flower color can vary through the usual A. vulgaris color spectrum, but tends to stay on the lighter side- pink, white, etc.
Seeds may require cold-stratification before sowing indoors, or one can direct-sow them outdoors in autumn or late winter/spring. They will gladly self sow in soil, gravel, under decks, etc.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Part shade to full sun.
Mature height: 2-3 ft
Mature width: 18 inches
Hardiness zones: 3- 9