columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris var. flore-pleno 'Blue Bonnet'
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Root Cutting,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Blue, violet, white, pink, red Flowers
Sun:
part sun/part shade,full sun
Fruits:
Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Moderate
watering
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris var. flore-pleno 'Blue Bonnet') do best in moist, well-drained soil, but do not allow the soil to become soggy. During the growing season these plants should be watered regularly and allow the soil to get a chance to dry out between waterings. Depending on the temperature they will need to watered once to twice a week, however in hotter weather they will require more frequent watering. Keeping the soil moist is key for this plant during growing season and avoid excessively dry soil. During the winter months, it's important to keep the soil moist, while avoiding over-watering.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris var. flore-pleno ‘Blue Bonnet’) enjoys partial to full sun and prefers 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Direct sunlight is preferred for a few hours in the morning and the rest of the day should be lightly shaded. Keeping them in full sun during the hottest parts of the day may cause scorching of the leaves or possibly death of the plant. Thus, it is best to keep them in an area with morning sun and afternoon shade.
pruning
Columbine should be pruned in the summer, after the plant has finished flowering and starting to go dormant. Light pruning is best – no more than a 1/3 of a stem should be removed at a time. This will help to improve the overall structure and shape of the plant as well as encourage more flowers. Pruning can also help to reduce disease and pest pressure. It is important to avoid cutting back the crown of the plant as this could damage the roots and also weaken the stem. Prune out any dead or diseased branches and stems, and to keep a compact shape prune back side shoots to 3-5 leaves.
FAQ
Is columbine a perennial flower?
Yes, columbine is a perennial flower that blooms in early spring and can often re-bloom through autumn. It grows quite well in full sun or part shade and thrives in well-drained soil. It's a great choice for adding some cheerful colour to your beds and borders with its intricate blooms of pastel hues. Columbine is also quite a resilient flower and does relatively well in colder climates.
Are columbine flowers suitable for rock gardens?
Yes, columbine flowers are suitable for rock gardens. Columbine tend to flourish in sunny rock gardens with good drainage and soil that isn't too rich. They prefer rocky, well-draining soils and need little or no supplemental watering, making them ideal for rock gardens. The flowers of columbine usually bloom once in the spring and then again in the fall. The blooms of most columbine species come in combinations of pink, white, yellow, purple, and blue. Planting several varieties of columbine together in a rock garden can give you a beautiful, show-stopping display.
Could columbine flowers be used as ground cover?
Columbine flowers can be used as ground cover in certain situations. They are relatively easy to grow, and tall varieties will generally give you a nice low-maintenance spread of foliage, although they can tend to be a bit sparser than more conventional ground covers. Columbine also has the advantage of producing a beautiful array of colors such as blues, purples, yellows, and more. When planted in large groups and in the right situation they can even bring about a beautiful carpet of blooms. It’s important to be aware that columbine is an aggressive self-seeder, so if you don’t want lots of columbine in other areas of your garden you might want to deadhead the flowers or grow it in a container.
Is columbine a good companion plant for roses?
Yes, columbine is an excellent companion plant for roses. Columbine's delicate blooms and attractive foliage provide a wonderful contrast for roses, while their unassuming habit and relatively shallow root system won't compete with the more aggressive roots of roses. The shade of the columbine's foliage also helps to protect roses from the intense heat of direct sun, keeping them lusher and more vibrant in appearance. Additionally, columbine's brightly colored blooms make a perfect backdrop for roses, bringing out their colorful petals in an eye-catching display.
Do columbine flowers self-seed easily?
Yes, Columbine flowers self-seed easily. These plants have a natural capacity to propagate themselves by reseeding in surrounding areas and growing new plants each year. This is why they are often considered to be a natural garden perennial. As the flowers are pollinated, they form seed pods which are dropped as the seeds mature and are then spread around the plant. The fact that the Columbine flower is capable of self-seeding is beneficial to gardeners as it reduces the need to replant them each season, resulting in a fuller and more vibrant garden.
Is columbine a good choice for pollinator gardens?
Yes, columbine is a great choice for pollinator gardens. Having tall, showy flowers that come in a variety of colors, columbine attracts many pollinators, including bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. The large blooms also provide ample nectar for pollinators to feed on. Meanwhile, the leaves of the columbine are also edible and can provide food for caterpillars, which will in turn attract more pollinators. Finally, columbines are easy to grow in shady areas and can easily be incorporated into garden beds or along garden paths. All in all, columbine is an excellent choice for pollinator gardens.
Are columbine flowers suitable for vertical gardening?
Yes, columbine flowers are suitable for vertical gardening. Not only are they capable of tumbling down a wall or spilling out of a hanging basket, but they also provide a dramatic pop of color to any living wall installation, from a tiny backyard wall garden to a spacious rooftop oasis. Low-maintenance and relatively easy to propagate, columbine flowers can create an eye-catching focal point in a vertical garden.
