Description
The common columbine is a perennial of the buttercup family. It grows wild in Europe, including Poland. It is a short-lived perennial, with stems 30–60 cm tall and three-lobed leaves. It flowers at the end of May and in June. The flowers consist of 5 tepals that narrow into long spurs, slightly curved at the tips, and 5 tepals without spurs. Gardens mostly grow hybrids known as Aquilegia × hybrida, with white, cream, sky-blue, pink, coral and red flowers.
Requirements
Columbines need humus-rich, moist soil and a sunny or partially shaded position.
Propagation
They are propagated by seed sown in April–May in trays, cold frames or a seedbed. Columbines cross easily, so it is easy to end up with hybrids of little value. Selected varieties are propagated by division.
Care
It is completely frost-hardy.
It is planted in perennial borders, in groups on lawns, and used in gardens and parks for naturalistic plantings. Dwarf varieties suit rock gardens, and tall ones are ideal as cut flowers.
The whole plant is mildly poisonous. If swallowed it causes dizziness, fainting, constricted pupils, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties.