There are plants that people love, and then there are plants that people hate. And then, there are those rare plants that manage to charm just about everyone. Columbine (Aquilegia) falls into that last category—a plant that seems universally admired.
I’ve always found columbine to be a particularly elegant plant. Its light green, somewhat fleshy foliage has a soft, almost delicate quality, yet it’s surprisingly resilient. The leaves, often compared to ferns because of their intricate, dissected shape, add a graceful texture to the garden even before the flowers emerge. Depending on the variety, the foliage can range from fresh spring green to a subtle blue-green, thanks to the waxy coating that gives some cultivars a slightly glaucous appearance.
The Magic of Columbine Flowers
Of course, the real magic happens when Columbine blooms. The bell-shaped, spurred flowers are unlike anything else in the garden, nodding above the foliage on long, slender stems. The combination of their shape and their sheer abundance—often dozens of blooms on a single mature plant—gives columbine an almost whimsical, fairy-tale quality.
Typically, columbine flowers appear in soft pastels, cheerful yellows, or bright reds. But every so often, a variety comes along that challenges everything you thought you knew about the plant.
A Stunning Discovery: ‘William Guinness’
This past weekend, while working at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, a friend pointed out a columbine that stopped me in my tracks. Dark. Dramatic. Absolutely unexpected.
It was Aquilegia vulgaris ‘William Guinness’, a columbine like none I had ever seen before. Its deep, near-black petals create an intense contrast against the bright white corolla in the center, making each bloom look almost painted in ink. The effect is striking—elegant, mysterious, and completely different from the usual soft, cottage-garden hues.
It turns out I wasn’t the only one captivated. As I worked in the garden, visitor after visitor paused, pointed, and asked about it:
“What is that?...That’s a columbine? I’ve never seen one so dark!…I need this in my garden.”
Why ‘William Guinness’ Stands Out
Aside from its stunning color, ‘William Guinness’ has a few other traits that make it special:
- Height & Form: This variety forms a lush clump over 2 feet wide, with flower stalks reaching up to 3 feet high. Its height and dense growth make it perfect for filling gaps in the mid-border, where its dark blooms stand out against lighter foliage.
- Long Bloom Time: Columbines typically bloom in late spring to early summer, but deadheading spent flowers can extend the bloom period well into summer.
- Pollinator Appeal: Like all columbines, ‘William Guinness’ is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, thanks to its nectar-rich, tubular flowers.
Growing & Caring for ‘William Guinness’
Despite its dramatic appearance, columbine is surprisingly low-maintenance. Here’s how to give it the best conditions:
- Soil: Prefers rich, moist, and well-drained soil. It’s adaptable but thrives with a bit of organic matter mixed in.
- Light: In northern climates, columbine grows beautifully in full sun to part shade. In hotter southern regions, it benefits from afternoon shade to prevent scorching.
- Watering: While somewhat drought-tolerant once established, regular even moisture will keep it happiest.
- Self-Seeding: Columbine is a short-lived perennial but tends to self-seed gently, ensuring a natural, effortless presence in the garden year after year.
Where to Use ‘William Guinness’ in the Garden
The deep, moody hues of this columbine make it a fantastic plant for contrasting color schemes. Some great companion plants include:
- Silver or chartreuse foliage plants like Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ or Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’ to enhance the dark flowers.
- Delicate white or pale-colored perennials like Anemone sylvestris, Geranium sanguineum ‘Album’, or Dicentra spectabilis (bleeding heart) for a classic, high-contrast look.
- Other deep-hued perennials like Actaea simplex ‘Black Negligee’ or Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ to lean into the gothic garden aesthetic.
A Showstopper Worth Growing
If you’re looking for a Columbine that sparks conversation, ‘William Guinness’ is it. Whether planted en masse for a moody, elegant display or tucked among lighter perennials for contrast, this variety demands attention in the best way possible.
Have you grown ‘William Guinness’ in your garden? If so, has it stopped people in their tracks the way it did at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
–Rodney
Images: 99roots.com, planteoversikt.blogspot.com
I have also found that most people who add Columbine really like it. The blooms are gorgeous, it is a really maintenance free plant, and it attracts hummingbirds.
Love this! It kind of reminds me of a red version of the clock flower(not sure why).. Thank you for sharing.