Aquilegia vulgaris Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris, Columbine, is an attractive herbaceous perennial which is native in calcareous woodland, scrub and scree. The striking viiolet blue flowers with 5 backward-pointing spurs, that contain nectar, are unmistakable. It is frequently grown in gardens and cultivated forms and their hybrids come in a variety of colours from white through to pink and violet. Unfortunately it escapes frequently from cultivation and many of the records of it in West Glamorgan are of plants that originate from gardens. Some of these may be hybrids but they are inavriably recorded as Aquilegia vulgaris. However, authentic, native populations are found in Gower, e.g. the large population at Seven Slades which grows in cliff scrub. Outside Gower, most if not all records are of garden escapes.

Native and neophyte