Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nivea'
ABOUT
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nivea', commonly known as Granny's Bonnet or Columbine, is an herbaceous perennial known for its distinctive and elegant flowers. The 'Nivea' cultivar is particularly celebrated for its pure white blossoms. Each flower features a set of white, rounded petals that are beautifully framed by a skirt of elongated, petal-like sepals of the same color. These sepals gracefully extend backwards, giving the blooms a refined, bonnet-like appearance, true to one of its common names. The flowers possess a unique structure with a delicate, nodding habit, adding to their charm. In the center, contrasting stamens and pistils often protrude from the corolla, sometimes with hints of yellow or pale green, offering a subtle contrast against the white petals. The foliage of Granny's Bonnet consists of attractive, mid-green leaves that are divided into leaflets which are further lobed and scalloped giving them a lacy appearance. This greenery forms a lovely mound beneath the flowers, creating an appealing backdrop that highlights the blooms. In addition to its blooms, the plant may form slender seed pods after flowering, which become erect giving a vertical interest to the plant's profile. These can be left on the plant to self-seed or removed to encourage more vigorous blooms. Overall, Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nivea' brings a touch of old-fashioned grace to gardens with its fairy-tale flowers and soft, mounded foliage, making it a favorite among gardeners seeking to add an air of cottage-garden style elegance to their landscape.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
European Columbine, Granny's Bonnet, Common Columbine
Common names
Aquilegia alpina, Aquilegia vulgaris var. alba
ToxicityTo humans
Columbine, specifically the Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nivea', contains compounds that can be toxic to humans if ingested. The plant contains several toxic alkaloids, including magnoflorine and isocytisine, which can potentially cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Severe cases of poisoning can lead to heart palpitations and respiratory difficulties. It is important to avoid ingesting any part of the columbine plant due to its toxic properties.
To pets
Columbine, including the variety Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nivea', is also toxic to pets. If pets consume any parts of the plant, they can experience symptoms similar to those in humans, such as gastrointestinal upset with vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, more serious symptoms like heart issues and respiratory difficulty may occur. Pet owners should ensure that their animals do not ingest any part of the columbine plant to prevent poisoning.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nivea', commonly known as Granny's Bonnet or Columbine, features attractive, pure white flowers that enhance the beauty of gardens and outdoor spaces.
- Pollinator Attraction: The nectar-rich blooms are a favorite of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting biodiversity.
- Shade Tolerance: Columbine can thrive in partially shaded areas where other plants might struggle, making it a versatile choice for gardeners dealing with various light conditions.
- Ease of Growth: It is generally easy to grow and maintain, requiring minimal care, which can be beneficial for novice gardeners or those with limited time.
- Seasonal Interest: Columbine has a relatively long flowering season in late spring to early summer, providing a timely burst of color.
- Resilience: Being a hardy perennial, it can tolerate a range of temperatures and is capable of surviving cold winters.
- Self-Seeding: The plant can self-seed under appropriate conditions, creating natural drifts of color without additional planting effort.
- Companion Planting: Columbine works well when planted alongside other shade-loving perennials, providing layered textures and colors in garden designs.
Medical Properties- Astringent: The aerial parts of Columbine have traditionally been used for their astringent properties.
- How to obtain reference: This information can be found in historical texts and ethnobotanical studies on traditional medicinal uses of plants. Modern scientific references regarding medicinal uses might be more limited or non-existent due to insufficient clinical research confirming these properties for Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nivea' specifically.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Symbolic Ornamentation: Columbine, particularly the 'Nivea' variety, often symbolizes wisdom, strength, and happiness, and can be used in various ceremonies to convey these sentiments.
- Dye Production: The petals and sepals of the Columbine might be used for natural dyeing processes, providing a soft color to textiles.
- Garden Design: Columbine 'Nivea' can be used as a contrasting plant amongst green foliage due to its white flowers, creating depth and interest in garden beds.
- Floral Arrangements: The distinctive shape and color of the Columbine 'Nivea' blooms make them unique additions to both fresh and dried floral arrangements.
- Edible Garnish: While not commonly known, the petals of the Columbine can be used to add a splash of color to salads or desserts, though they must be consumed in moderation.
- Photography Subject: With its elegant flowers, the Columbine 'Nivea' is often used by photographers looking for natural beauty to capture in garden and plant photography.
- Nature Crafting: The flowers and seed pods can be included in nature crafts, such as making bookmarks or decorative wreaths.
- Companion Planting: Columbine can be planted alongside other perennials to attract beneficial insects that aid in pest control.
- Children’s Educational Gardens: As an easy-to-grow plant, Columbine can be included in children's gardens to teach them about plant life cycles and pollination.
- Wedding Decor: Known for its delicate and ornate flowers, Columbine 'Nivea' can be used in wedding decorations, especially for spring or woodland-themed weddings.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiColumbine is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityColumbine is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Foolishness: The common name of Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nivea' is Columbine, derived from the Latin word "columba" which means "dove," but in a Shakespearean era, the name was associated with "columbine" characters which typically played fools, thus its association with foolishness.
- Innocence: Columbines, with their nodding heads and delicate appearance, often symbolize innocence, representing a purity and simplicity of character.
- Deserted Love: In the language of flowers, also known as floriography, the columbine is sometimes associated with deserted love due to the fleeting nature of its bloom and its solitary flowers.
- Faith: Despite its association with folly, the columbine is also sometimes connected to faith and piety, with the inverted flower resembling doves around a dish, reminiscent of the Holy Spirit.
WaterColumbine 'Nivea' prefers evenly moist soil, so it should be watered thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, usually about once a week. The amount of water needed can range from 0.5 to 1 gallon per plant per watering session, depending on the size of the plant and the environmental conditions. During the spring and summer growing season, you may need to water more frequently, while in the fall and winter, water less often as the plant requires less moisture due to cooler temperatures and reduced growth.
LightColumbine 'Nivea' thrives in partial shade to full sun, with dappled sunlight being ideal. It should be planted in a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade or in a location that gets filtered sunlight throughout the day. Avoid placing it in deep shade or in areas with intense, hot afternoon sun, which can stress the plant and lead to poor flowering.
TemperatureColumbine 'Nivea' is cold hardy and can withstand temperature dips down to 20°F, but ideally should be grown in temperatures ranging from 50°F to 70°F. High temperatures above 80°F may stress the plant, especially if coupled with high humidity. Ensuring good air circulation can help the plant cope with warmer temperatures.
PruningColumbine 'Nivea' benefits from deadheading spent flowers to encourage additional blooming and to prevent self-seeding if desired. After flowering, the foliage can be cut back by half to tidy the plant and promote new growth. In late fall or early winter, prune back the foliage to the ground to maintain plant health and appearance, and to reduce the likelihood of disease.
CleaningAs needed
SoilColumbine 'Nivea' thrives in a well-draining soil mix that is rich in organic matter. A blend of loamy garden soil, peat, and perlite or sand would be ideal. This plant prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. Amending the soil with compost can help to create the rich, fertile conditions that columbines enjoy.
RepottingColumbines, such as 'Nivea', do not need frequent repotting and are often left undisturbed for several years. They should be repotted if the soil has degraded or the plant has outgrown its current container, approximately every 3-5 years. Care should be taken when repotting to avoid damage to the delicate root system.
Humidity & MistingColumbine 'Nivea' prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable to different humidity conditions as long as its soil moisture needs are met properly. It does not require a high humidity environment and can tolerate the humidity levels typically found in outdoor garden settings.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade with rich, moist soil.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleColumbine 'Nivea' begins its life as a seed that germinates in cool, moist soil typically in spring or fall. After sprouting, it develops a rosette of lobed leaves at the ground level. The plant then enters a vegetative stage, where it continues to grow and develop its distinctive foliage. In the following spring, the columbine 'Nivea' produces tall flowering stalks with nodding, white bonnet-shaped flowers that are attractive to pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into follicles containing numerous small black seeds that mature and are eventually released to begin a new cycle. Once established, the plant may enter a period of dormancy during the winter months, only to resume growth again with the return of favorable conditions in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nivea', commonly known as Granny's Bonnet or Columbine, is by seed. Seed propagation usually takes place in late winter to early spring. To start, seeds should be sown in seed trays or pots filled with a well-draining soil mix. Surface sow the seeds as they require light to germinate, then just lightly press them into the soil without covering them. The tray or pot should be placed in a bright, indirect light area and should be kept consistently moist but not wet. Seeds typically germinate within 30 to 90 days. Once the seedlings have developed true leaves and are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots or their final positions in the garden.
