Common Columbine

How to grow Common Columbine

Written by the GardenDecoded editorial team · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Written for UK gardens · How we research our guidance

Planting

Plant in autumn or spring in a border or a lightly shaded woodland-edge position. It is short-lived, typically three or four good years, so let it seed around to keep a population going. Space about 40 cm apart.

Pruning

Cut flowered stems down after blooming if you do not want seedlings. The foliage often becomes shabby or mildewed by midsummer; cutting the whole plant to the ground then usually produces a fresh mound of leaves.

Propagation

Seed, sown fresh in summer or in spring after a cold spell, is the practical route. Be aware that aquilegias cross freely, so seedlings from a mixed garden will be a lottery. Division is possible but plants resent root disturbance.

Pests and diseases

Aquilegia downy mildew has become a serious problem in the UK and causes collapse of affected plants; remove and dispose of them rather than composting. Aquilegia sawfly larvae can strip the leaves in early summer, and powdery mildew is common late on.

Value to wildlife

Long-tongued bumblebees work the spurred flowers, and shorter-tongued bees often bite through the spur to reach the nectar.

Notes

Treat it as a self-renewing colony rather than a permanent plant. Allow a proportion of the seedheads to ripen each year, and thin the resulting seedlings to the colours you actually want.

This guidance was researched and written by GardenDecoded — see our editorial policy for how guides are checked and reviewed.

Other names for this plant

These names have all been used for Aquilegia vulgaris but are no longer the accepted name. You may still meet them on old labels, in books, or in nursery catalogues.

Others in Aquilegia