columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris var. flore-pleno 'Tower White'
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:
Sun
Fruits:
green,brown,white Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,white
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris var. flore-pleno 'Tower White') should be watered on a regular basis. Water the plant when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. During the growing season (spring through summer), water the plant once every 1 to 2 weeks. In hotter months, water more frequently. During the dormant months (autumn and winter), water should be reduced to once every 4 weeks. Make sure the soil does not sit in water for too long; roots may rot if the soil is too saturated. If the area gets much rain, water less frequently.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia Vulgaris var. flore-pleno 'Tower White' ) thrives in full sun to part shade conditions. The plant prefers at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. To ensure full and bright blooms, try to provide full and direct sunlight during the morning and afternoon. Although the plant can tolerate some shade, it will not produce as lush or large flower blooms in that environment. Taking this into account, it is best to plant columbine in an environment where it can receive both morning and afternoon sun.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris var. flore-pleno 'Tower White') can be pruned lightly in late winter or early spring. Pruning should be done by cutting back the flowering stems and removing any dead, damaged, or diseased stems. Columbines can also be cut back severely (trimming 4-6 inches off the existing stems) to keep them from getting leggy and to promote bushier growth. Pruning is only necessary if the columbine is looking too unkempt or if it is not growing well. Otherwise, this plant does not require much pruning.
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.
