European native cottage-garden perennial with deeply divided grey-green leaves and nodding spurred flowers in blue, purple, pink, or white in late spring. Among the most widely grown cottage flowers.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 3–8 | −40 °C to −6.7 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H7 | down to −20 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 3–8 | −34 °C to −1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–5 | −15 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Plant in cottage gardens, woodland edges, and herbaceous borders — flowers May–June, then sets seed and dies back to a low rosette
- Self-seeds prolifically where conditions suit — hybridises freely between colour forms, expect intermediate colours to dominate over a few generations
- Outstanding bee forage — long-tongued bumblebees particularly favour the spurred flowers
- WARNING: Seeds toxic if eaten in quantity — keep away from very young children
Pet caution: Granny’s bonnet is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
Categories
Related plants
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