15 Astonishing Columbine Flowers Including Alpine And Woodland Species
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
IN THIS GUIDE
- 1) A. alpina
- 2) A. atrata
- 3) A. ‘Crimson Star’
- 4) A. flabellata var. pumila
- 5) A. formosa
- 6) A. ‘Dove’
- 7) A. vulgaris var. stellata ‘Black Barlow’
- 8) A. vulgaris var. stellata ‘Ruby Port’
- 9) A. ‘Blue Star’
- 10) A. viridiflora ‘Chocolate Soldier’
- 11) A. ‘Roundway Chocolate’
- 12) A. chrysantha ‘Texas Yellow’
- 13) A. vulgaris ‘William Guinness’
- 14) A. ‘Origami Red And White’
- 15) A. coerulea
- References
Aquilegias, also known as columbines or Granny’s bonnet, have decorated meadows, plains, hilltops and riversides in cooler climates for many a year.
“A classic cottage garden plant, Aquilegia is a versatile garden plant,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.
“Most will favour a bright spot with some shade but the alpine species will favour full sun with sharper drainage, whilst the woodland species will prefer more shade.
“Choose your favourite flower but make sure it will thrive where you want to put it too!”
Now, thanks to their ease of cultivation and colourful blossoms, these deciduous perennials reside in thousands of gardens around the country.
Self-seeding and irresistible to bumblebees, they’re a hassle-free addition to any display.
Here is a rundown of some of the most popular varieties of Aquilegia grown in the UK, all of which flower in the spring and summer months:
1) A. alpina
- COMMON NAME(S): Alpine Columbine / Breath of God
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: Blue/Purple and white
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
The classic columbine wildflower, Aquilegia alpina has pendent, droopy, spurred flowers with eye-pulling yet soothing shades ranging from deep blue to deep purple.
Their coloured sepals are almost as mesmerising as the spurred ones within, making for a truly striking specimen.
As the name suggests, they favour alpine climates and are found in abundance on hillsides and mountaintops.
They grow up to 80cm in height and burst forth with their floral display each spring.
2) A. atrata
- COMMON NAME(S): Dark Columbine
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FLOWERS: Purple and black
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
A pendent maroon-black flower with velvety petals and pronounced spurs, this is one of the smokiest and sultriest of Aquilegias.
It grows up to 60cm in height but will comfortably outshine taller plants in its vicinity.
It’s immediately recognisable for the sharp contrast between its dark petals and bright yellow stamen, with the former earning it the colloquial nickname of ‘dark columbine’.
A show-stopper of a border plant.
3) A. ‘Crimson Star’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: Red and white
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
Lush red petals, two-toned corolla, and a brush of golden stamens make this upward-facing star-shaped cultivar possibly the most sensuous variety.
Its bright blossoms will light up your outdoor display from late spring through early summer.
Though its lifespan is on the shorter side, it’s a prolific self-seeder so you needn’t worry about its resurgence the following season.
4) A. flabellata var. pumila
- COMMON NAME(S): Dwarf fan-shaped columbine
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: Blue and cream
- SUNLIGHT: Part Shade
This upward-facing star-shaped flower is delicate and dainty, with a striking purple hue that is so rich and appealing as to hold the eye on its own.
The creamy tips of its corolla, offset by the vibrant yellow stamen, take the breath away.
A dwarf variety of columbine, this species grows to a mere 15cm in height, making it ideal for more compact spaces.
However, despite its diminutive dimensions, it will still more than hold its own in aesthetic terms compared to much taller alternatives.
5) A. formosa
- COMMON NAME(S): Crimson columbine
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FLOWERS: Red and yellow
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
Known variously as the crimson columbine, the Western columbine or the red columbine, Aquilegia formosa is native to the western regions of North America.1Aquilegia formosa. (n.d.). US Forest Service. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/columbines/aquilegia_formosa.shtml
Pendent, with spurs projecting upward and yellow stamens downward, the vermilion and buttercup colour combination radiates a warm glow.
It’s easy to cultivate and makes for an excellent cut flower.
6) A. ‘Dove’
- COMMON NAME(S): Columbine ‘Dove’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: White
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
Upward-facing, long-spurred, and pure, snowy white, this cultivar exudes simple elegance and is an understated showstopper.
The brilliance of its petals is complemented beautifully by the purple of its sepal (replicated in the heart of the corolla), the lush green of the leaves and the yellow of the stamen.
The plant is capable of reaching around 45cm in height, with its petals reaching almost a fifth of that length.
While the flower-heads are undoubtedly the star of the show, the fernlike foliage beneath is attractive in its own right.
This cultivar is from the Songbird Series.
7) A. vulgaris var. stellata ‘Black Barlow’
- COMMON NAME(S): Columbine ‘Black Barlow’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FLOWERS: Purple
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
How many black flowers can you think of?
They are quite rare in the horticultural world.
Just about the most dramatic cultivar, the upward-facing, stiff black petals of ‘Black Barlow’ catch – and hold – the eye.
Aside from the musky appeal of its pompon-like flowers, this variety is also prized for its height.
Capable of reaching 90cm, it towers above other specimens with ominous authority, bringing energy and excitement to any setting.
8) A. vulgaris var. stellata ‘Ruby Port’
- COMMON NAME(S): Columbine ‘Ruby Port’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FLOWERS: Red
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
Somewhat unusual in being fully double yet pendent, the rich ruby port shade of its petals makes a stunning contrast with light green foliage and bright yellow stamen.
It’s a mid-sized cultivar capable of exceeding 70cm in height, with the stems themselves the same deep red of the flowerheads.
It’s most certainly the blossoms which take centre stage with this variety thanks to their unique, almost pinecone-like structure.
9) A. ‘Blue Star’
- COMMON NAME(S): Columbine ‘Blue Star’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FLOWERS: Blue, purple and white
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
Despite its name, the blooms of this cultivar resemble more purple than blue.
Combined with bold green leaves, a pure white corolla and protruding yellow stamen, this is one of the loveliest and most sweetly charming of columbines.
They’re popular for the size of their blooms (sometimes reaching 10cm in diameter) and their flowering period, since they burst into life at the beginning of spring when much of the rest of the garden has yet to waken from its winter slumber.
10) A. viridiflora ‘Chocolate Soldier’
- COMMON NAME(S): Columbine ‘Chocolate Soldier’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: Brown, purple and green
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
Everything about this specimen is smaller and shyer than many of its counterparts.
The downward-facing cup-shaped blossoms come in a humble hue of purplish-brown, with green sepals adding variety and yellow stamen bringing modest panache.
It’s also a dwarf species, meaning it’ll only ever reach around 35cm in height.
That makes it ideal for filling vacant space in a sunny border or adding intrigue to a busy rockery.
11) A. ‘Roundway Chocolate’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: Brown and orange
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
Sticking with the chocolate theme, this cultivar is somewhat similar to ‘Ruby Port’ in the rusty red and double-flowering nature of its blossoms.
It certainly doesn’t resemble chocolate, whatever those who named the plant might have supposed.
It’s also on the smaller side for Aquilegias, reaching just 30cm.
The fieriness of its red flowerhead works well with similarly hot colours in a sunny border.
Alternatively, you could arrange them alongside plants which have dark flowers or foliage to provide a pleasing contrast.
12) A. chrysantha ‘Texas Yellow’
- COMMON NAME(S): Columbine ‘Yellow Queen’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: Yellow
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
Unlike many of the cultivars mentioned on this list, ‘Texas Yellow’ doesn’t trifle with two-tones and multi-colours.
Instead, it does what it says on the tin, with bright lemony blooms bobbing atop bold green stems.
Capable of reaching a very respectable 80cm in height, it’s excellent for positioning at the rear of borders in cottage-garden displays.
It will flourish in full sun but can handle partial shade tolerably well, too.
13) A. vulgaris ‘William Guinness’
- COMMON NAME(S): Columbine ‘William Guiness’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FLOWERS: Purple and white
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
More drama is now in the shape of ‘William Guinness’, which catches the eye with its two-toned corolla.
The inner part of the petals is a deep dark purple (bordering on black), which is replicated in the sepals.
The outer area is pure white.
Flowering in late spring and early summer, this variety can reach 75cm in height and will do well in full sun or partial shade.
14) A. ‘Origami Red And White’
- COMMON NAME(S): Columbine ‘Origami Red and White’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: Red and white
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
Each spring, this cultivar will explode into life with a profusion of crimson, pink and white blossoms.
The sepals are of such length and such a profound shade of red that they overshadow the greenery beneath, while the contrast of the white petals and yellow stamen completes the picture.
‘Origami Red and White’ reaches around 60cm in height and is perfect for underplanting rose bushes and shrubs.
This stunning specimen won’t look out of place in cottage gardens and ornamental displays.
15) A. coerulea
- COMMON NAME(S): Rocky Mountain columbine
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: Blue and white
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
Informally known as the Rocky Mountain columbine, there are no prizes for guessing where this dainty specimen comes from.
It’s an upright plant that grows to a mere 35cm in height, but what it lacks in stature, it makes up for in elegance.
The green, many-lobed leaflets have hairy undersides, providing a dense and furry backdrop to the pale-to-deep-blue sepals and brilliant white petals (complete with slender pointed spurs) atop them.
This variety is great for borders and beds.
