European Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland
Roger Culos
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Aquilegia
- Species:
- Aquilegia vulgaris
- USDA Symbol:
- AQVU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, pink, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Purple-lined sallow (Pyrrhia exprimens), Purplish Copper (Erynnis lucilius)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers humus-rich soil in partial shade
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 21–30 days
- Germination Time:
- 21–60 days
- Notes:
- Light aids germination; seeds should not be covered deeply. Germination can be erratic and spread over several weeks.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.