Aquilegia vulgaris.

I had been admiring flowers appearing in some of the gardens I work in, varying in colour but always with an elegant bowed head and crown of soft horns. However, everyone I asked seemed to know it by a different name, to the point that I was feeling really rather confused. Columbine? Aquilegia? Granny's bonnet?
It turns out that all of these names are true - perhaps such a fine flower encourages creativity in bestowing a name. They certainly do look beautiful at this time of year.



Aquilegia vulgaris, "European Columbine" or "Granny's Bonnet" (or "Granny's Nightcap").
(Herbaceous perennial.)

Planting: Spring.
Flowering: Late spring and summer.
Aspect: Full sun or partial shade, any aspect or exposure.
Hardiness: As hardy as it gets!

Notes: Although aquilegia and columbine are both Latin words for this same beautiful flower, the underlying meanings are very different. Aquilegia means "eagle", noting the petals' resemblence to a talon, whilst columbine means "dove", imagining the same sight as five gathering doves.