Family
Ranunculaceae
Botanical Name
AQUILEGIA vulgaris 'Granny's Gold'
Plant Common Name
Common Columbine, Granny's Gold Columbine
General Description
Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Granny’s Gold’ features pendant, spurred blossoms of gleaming, golden yellow, which dangle elegantly from tall, branched, wiry stems in mid- to late spring atop mounds of lacy, blue-green foliage. It is a form of the beloved European native columbine commonly referred to as “granny’s bonnet”.
Performing best in dappled sun to partial shade, Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Granny’s Gold’ prefers evenly moist, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage. It will readily cross with other columbine and self-sow if allowed to go to seed, which is considered an advantage by some gardeners. However, faded flowers should be removed promptly if new plants are not desired. An ideal choice for woodland plantings and mixed borders, its sunny blooms also make excellent cut flowers.
Aquilegia is a genus of about 70 species that exist across northern temperate zones worldwide. Commonly known as columbine, they are beloved for their fanciful, lantern-like flowers, which usually bloom in spring or summer atop slender stems of varying lengths. These hardy perennials typically form clumps of delicate, pale to deep green, lobed leaves which emerge from small, slender, woody rhizomes (underground lateral stems). Columbine species vary widely in size and habit, and may occur in open woodlands, meadows, or alpine areas. Their colorful blooms are attractive to bees, hummingbirds, and many species of butterflies and moths.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
12"-36" / 30.5cm - 91.4cm
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Width
12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm
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Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Hybrid Origin, Europe
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Blue Green, Yellow Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Cutflower, Mixed Border, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Hummingbirds, Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
