The hardy aquilegia vulgaris 39william guinness39 is an eye45catching columbine which looks great in borders cottage gardens and even along shady woodland edges the spring flowers have black45purple petals and white centres making it stand out from the crowd aquilegias which are also known as columbines or 39granny39s bonnets39 attract pollinating insects and have a place in any type of planting scheme from traditional to contemporary this is a plant that shines due