Common Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) is in the buttercup family family (Ranunculaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,044 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Common Columbine: observations by month (U.S.)
About Common Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris (European columbine, common columbine, granny's nightcap, granny's bonnet) is a species of columbine native to Europe. It is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant growing to 1.2 m tall, with branched, thinly hairy stems. The leaves are biternate; each leaf has three groups of three leaflets. The flowers, in various shades of purple, blue, pink and white, are pendent or horizontal with hooked spurs, and appear in early summer.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Common Columbine by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 182 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Washington | 120 | May | May–May |
| Pennsylvania | 112 | May | May–May |
| New York | 81 | June | May–Jun |
| Maine | 66 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 54 | May | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 48 | May | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 47 | April | Apr–May |
| Ohio | 42 | May | May–May |
| Illinois | 40 | May | May–Jun |
| Oregon | 29 | May | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 29 | April | Apr–May |
| New Hampshire | 28 | June | May–Jun |
| West Virginia | 23 | May | May–Jun |
| Maryland | 22 | May | Apr–May |
| Wisconsin | 18 | June | May–Jun |
| Minnesota | 14 | June | May–Jun |
| New Jersey | 13 | May | May–May |
| Alaska | 12 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 10 | May | May–May |
| Connecticut | 8 | May | May–May |
| Indiana | 7 | May | Apr–May |
| Missouri | 7 | April | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 7 | May | Apr–May |
| Georgia | 6 | May | Apr–May |
| Kentucky | 5 | May | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (buttercup family)
Lesser Celandine
Red Columbine
Western Columbine
Rue Anemone
Marsh Marigold
Wood Anemone
Blue Columbine
Tenpetal Anemone
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Common Columbine?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Common Columbine most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, Washington, Pennsylvania.