Aquilegia, European Columbine, European Crowsfoot, Granny's Bonnets 'William Guiness'

Aquilegiavulgaris

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Aquilegia (a-kwi-LEE-jee-a)
Species
vulgaris (vul-GAIR-iss)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Smooth
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Maroon/Burgundy
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Seward, Alaska

Alameda, California

Oakland, California

Pine Grove, California

San Diego, California

Temecula, California

Fallston, Maryland

Buffalo, New York

Nineveh, New York

Carrollton, Ohio

Madison, Ohio

South Jordan, Utah

Radford, Virginia

Kalama, Washington

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
A
(Zone 6b) | January 2016 | positive

William Guiness is one of the most beautiful cultivars of Aquilegia vulgaris. I will never miss it in May

R
Temecula, CA (Zone 9b) | April 2013 | positive

Started a few from seed and they are doing great! Slow to start but I will get a bloom this summer. I have them behind some black lace di...Read More

R
R
riv
Pine Grove, CA | May 2012 | positive

i got 3 little plants from, i believe, spring hill nurseries. they were so tiny and wilted when i got them, but i gave them a nice shady ...Read More

S
Millerstown, PA (Zone 6a) | June 2004 | neutral

Although I love this plant, I have had very limited success. I discovered recently that the cause of my columbine's demise may have been...Read More

B
B
Baa
| May 2002 | neutral

A very striking cultivar, sometimes sold as Magpie, William Guinness is the older name but they are the same plant.

Has s...Read More

Featured
Variable Checkerspot
(Euphydryas chalcedona)
Peruvian Booby
(Sula variegata)
Featured
Variable Checkerspot
(Euphydryas chalcedona)
Peruvian Booby
(Sula variegata)