Columbine typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
columbine
Aquilegia (Biedermeier Group)
The Columbine's (Aquilegia) beauty, like that of a butterfly, is incomparable. Native to the Northern Hemisphere, its blooms feature wing-shaped petals in varying colors, often with white depths and yellow centers. It has an incredibly long bloom period, with flowers lasting weeks in the summertime. The Biedermeier Group is an especially distinct columbine, with delicate blooms of peach and cream accented with yellow in an elegant pattern. The foliage is attractive as well, with fan-shaped leaves that grow in low mounds. With its gorgeous flowers, low maintenance and long bloom time, the Columbine is a must-have for any garden!
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
White, pink, red, blue Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Columbine (Aquilegia (Biedermeier Group)) should be watered when the top couple of inches of soil have dried out. Generally, this will mean watering it every few days in spring and fall, and every day during the summer, although the exact frequency may depend on factors such as temperatures and humidity. To determine how much to water for each session, use the “finger test”. Stick your index finger into the soil up to the first knuckle; if it feels damp, the plant has enough water. If not, water until the soil is slightly damp but not soggy. When watering, make sure to saturate the potting mix, then allow it to slowly drain away.
sunlight
Columbine plants need approximately 4- 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. They prefer bright sunlight in the morning and a shady spot to grow during the hottest hours of the day, usually in the afternoon. Columbine plants need to be protected from direct midday or evening sun in order to prevent leaf burn. In regions with long winters and cool summers, Columbines should be planted in a spot where they will receive a steady supply of bright sunlight throughout the day.
pruning
Columbine should be pruned lightly in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This encourages bolder flowering. You should cut back overgrown plants to about 18 inches to 3 feet tall. Remove any dead, dying or diseased stems. Cut off any shoots that appear lower than the desired height or that are growing away from the clump. Prune spent flowers to the base after blooming. Do not prune flowering stems too hard as this will reduce the number of flowers. Always sterilise pruning tools between cuts, and wear garden gloves when pruning to avoid spreading diseases.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Starts Flowering
Columbine typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
Hardiness Map
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.
