Native to Europe
1.5-3' tall, clump-forming perennial
Compound, clover-like leaf with round, lobed leaflets.
Grows well in most conditions except for heavy, poorly-drained soils. Does best in nutrient-rich, moist soils with moderate shade.
Susceptible to various pests including leaf miner, sawflies and aphids.
Blue, purple and white, spiked flowers bloom in April and May.
Attracts hummingbirds.
Hardiness zone: 3-8
Sentimental and Symbolic Value
Traditional herbalism held that the columbine was sacred to the goddess Venus, and superstitions persist about carrying a bouqet of this plant to supposedly attract a mate.
The plant and its cultivars are a popular ornamental plant whose characteristics make it highly sought after.
The name "columbine" comes from the Latin word columba, meaning "dove". The comparison of the flower to a dove gives it an association with the Holy Spirit, who is often said to manifest as a dove. The columbine flower's growth pattern as seven flowers on a single stem are associated with the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (those are, wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord; see Isaiah 11:2)
Specimen photographed found on St. Stephen Street, Boston, Massachusetts, Part of the Spontaneous Urban Plants assignment (10/13/2021)
Plant History and Etymology
The genus name Aquilegia is dervied from the Latin word for eagle, referring to the flower's five spikes resembling an eagle's talon. The sepcific epithet vulgaris means "common" in Latin. Thee plants were cultivated as an ornamental and escaped into disturbed habitats. Some cultivated columbines were hybrids between Aquilegia vulgaris and other species of columbine, including the native Aquilegia canadensis (Canadian wild columbine) or other European species such as Aquilegia alpina (Alpine columbine), and these also escaped into the wild. Its medicinal qualities for aiding mothers in labor were noted by Nicholas Culpeper in The English Physitian (1652), and it is used today as an astringent.
Design Considerations
Aquilegia vulgaris requires significant maintenance, including pruning, soil moisture control and constant watering, and needs its stems to be constantly cut back to encourage more flowering for maximum aesthetic effect. Its flowers are very showy, with a unique shape and vibrant colors ranging from blue and purple to red. As it attracts hummingbirds, it would make a good selection for a bird garden or any naturalistic planting. It is technically a perennial, but is often shorter lived (especially cultivars).
Sources
“Aquilegia Vulgaris in Flora of North America @ Efloras.org.” 2021. Efloras.org. 2021. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=220001000.
Wikipedia Contributors. 2020. “Aquilegia Vulgaris.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. December 13, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_vulgaris.
“Aquilegia Vulgaris &S;Nivea&S; | Columbine &S;Nivea&S; Herbaceous Perennial/RHS Gardening.” 2021. Rhs.org.uk. Royal Horticultural Society. 2021. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/112596/i-aquilegia-vulgaris-i-nivea/details.
“Flowers in Christian Symbolism.” 2021. Blogspot.com. 2021. https://saintscatholic.blogspot.com/p/saint-symbols.html.