Description
Aquilegia vulgaris | Common Columbine ‘Royal Tips’
Aquilegia vulgaris Columbine is known as Granny’s Bonnet, European Crowfoot, European columbine, and Grannys Nightcap. It’s an all time favorite perennial garden and wildflower that can be found growing in woodlands, meadows and cottage gardens.
‘Royal tips’ Columbine is a new discovery we found from a packet of ‘Royal Purple’ Columbine seeds. The blue-green leaves are fern-like and resemble that of Meadow Rue or Clover. The spurless royal purple flowers have pale green tips that give the blooms a very beautiful and distinct look. The flowers are held high above the foliage and are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumblebees.
Columbines are hardy and 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 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.
Seeds may germinate better with cold-stratification before sowing indoors, or one can direct-sow them outdoors in autumn or late winter/spring. Plants self sow in soil, gravel, under decks, etc. Ideal for cottage gardens.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Part shade to full sun
Mature height: 2-3 ft
Mature width: 18 inches
Hardiness zones: 3-9
