Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Gold’    Family: Ranunculaceae
(a-kwi-LEE-jah  vul-GAR-is)
syn. Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Golden’; Aquilegia vulgaris Woodside Strain
Common name: columbine; granny’s bonnet; European crowfoot
Zone: 3 – 8 
Height: 2 – 3 ft (60 – 90 cm)   Spread: 1 – 1.5 ft (30 – 45 cm)
Aspect: sun; partial shade
Soil: average; humus-rich
Water: moderate  

Description: An herbaceous, small clump-forming perennial with thin, branching stems adorned with golden scalloped leaves. Somewhat upward-facing, short-spurred, soft pink flowers appear in early April through into late May or early June. Attracts bees and hummingbirds.

Special Notes: Native to Europe, Aquilegia vulgaris has been grown in gardens for centuries. Over the years, the plant has escaped its garden boundaries and become naturalized, both in its native region and in North America.

Given optimum growing conditions and regular water, the plant will develop a lovely clump. It readily self-seeds which ensures this purported short-lived perennial will enjoy many years in the garden. Easy care.

Drought tolerant once established. Attracts bees and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant, however slugs and aphids may be a problem. Leaves are susceptible to leaf miner.

In our Zone 7a garden: I have a clump of ‘Woodside Gold’ in my island bed where it is mostly in shade and competes with big tree roots. The leaves hold their gold colour quite well, only slightly darkening to a green-gold colour as the season progresses. Being in the shade, the flowers on mine are a lovely soft pink colour.

John has a clump in his back garden where it gets a fair amount of sun throughout the day. The leaves on this clump turn a green-gold colour quicker than those in my garden and the flowers are more of a dusky-rose colour. We both cut the leaves down to the ground as they get ratty-looking later in the season.

Posted on February 13, 2023