Green columbine is a compact perennial flower in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family native to Asia. In th wild, it is found growing in woodlands, valleys, and streambanks. It reaches one to three feet in height and one foot in spread. The genus name Aquilegia is Latin for eagle's talon in reference to the flowers which resemble the bird's foot while the species name viridiflora is Latin for green flowers. It grows easily and quickly in average to rich, well-drained moist soil, in full sun to dappled or partial shade. It is intolerant of heavy poorly drained soil. Light shade prolongs the blooming season. Green columbine will self-seed in the landscape under ideal conditions. It is resistant to damage by deer and rabbits. It has showy fragrant flowers that bloom late spring to early summer, with yellowish green flowers that nod downward. Remove flowers to encourage more blooms. The lush blue green foliage can be enjoyed after the flowers have died back if the plant is irrigated regularly, but it should be cut back to the ground once it starts to decline in appearance by the end of the summer. Utilized in the front of borders, or massing in natural settings. Ideal for a cottage garden and its unusual green flowers in a cutting garden. Its round compact form makes it ideal for rock gardens. Quick ID Hints : Flowers with 5 elongate spurs Leaves 1-3 ternately compound Erect herbs with basal mound of leaves, flowering apex Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Leafminer, aphids, and columbine borer are infrequent insect problems. It is prone
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.