Color:

Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris

Perennial

Buttercup Family

Delicate flowers with distinctive spurred petals. Granny's bonnet. Woodland plant. Hummingbird favorite. Also called columbine. Symbol of foolishness but beloved anyway. Cottage garden treasure.

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Habitat

Temperate

Where to Buy

Find local florists carrying Columbine

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Perfect For

Wedding

Care & Vase Life

Stays fresh for 4 to 7 days

when properly cared for

Cut when first blooms open and buds are showing color

Use cool water with floral preservative

Keep in a cool location away from direct sunlight

Handle delicate spurred petals carefully

Delicate - handle carefully

Keep very cold

Change water daily

Short vase life 3-5 days

Fragrance Profile

No Scent

Columbine has no discernible fragrance

Safety Information

Toxic to Cats

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Humans

Contains cyanogenic glycosides - roots and seeds are most toxic, can cause heart palpitations if ingested

Fun Facts

State flower of Colorado since 1899

The name Aquilegia comes from Latin for eagle due to the talon-like spurs

Medieval Christians associated it with the Holy Spirit - seven blooms represented seven gifts

Hummingbirds evolved alongside columbines and are their primary pollinators

Origin & History

Native to Northern Hemisphere

Columbines grow wild throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with species native to North America, Europe, and Asia. The distinctive spurred flowers have inspired artists and gardeners for centuries. Native Americans used various species medicinally, and it has been grown in European gardens since the 13th century.