Harvesting of Aquilegia canadensis typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.
columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Also Known As - Eastern Red Columbine,Wild Columbine,Wild ColumbineColumbine is a mesmerizing and unique wildflower native to North America. With a variety of colors, from deep blue to white and yellow to vibrant red and purple, columbine flowers are a stunning sight. Columbine is a hardy flower that grows nearly everywhere in the U.S. – in both wet and dry soils. It is also a popular choice among gardeners as it thrives in part-shade to full sun gardens. Not only incredibly beautiful, columbine also is a strong pollinator attractor and hummingbird favorite, making it a great choice if you are looking to attract wildlife to you garden.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Division,Root Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Light pink/yellow to blood red/yellow Flowers
Sun:
Sun, Partial Shade
Soil:
Sandy Loamy Humus Rocky
Fruits:
blue,red,yellow,purple,white Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
watering
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) requires regular watering to ensure optimal health and flowering. When it’s actively growing, during the spring and summer, the plant should be watered deeply, about once a week. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings; overwatering can cause root rot or cause the foliage to become susceptible to disease. During the winter, don’t water at all, as the plant is dormant. When watering, use lukewarm water as cold water may shock the plant and lead to poor growth. To check if your columbine needs watering, simply insert your finger into the soil. If the top few inches of soil are dry, it’s likely time to water.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. The best time for providing optimal light is during the morning (between 7am and 10am) when the sun is less intense. Columbines prefer part shade or filtered light during the afternoon hours when the sun is more intense. The plant should be placed in a south or east facing window where it will not be exposed to the full intensity of the sun each afternoon. In the winter months, columbines will need more direct sunlight than during summer months. During the winter, they should be placed in a window that receives full sun with no obstructions.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) should be pruned after flowering. Remove spent flower stems and any stems that are too weak or dead. Start by cutting back the stems with the dead flowers immediately after the blooms have wilted. Cut them back to within 2-3 inches of the main stem. After a week or so you may want to cut back the remaining stems to a height of between 12 and 18 inches. This will help to promote healthy new growth. It is best to avoid heavy pruning of Columbine, as it can reduce the plant’s growth and flowering potential.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
Columbine typically start flowering in April and May.
Harvest Fruit
Harvesting of Aquilegia canadensis typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.
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.
