Columbine typically starts flowering in April and May.
columbine
Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett'
Also Known As - Eastern Red Columbine,Wild Columbine,Wild ColumbineCycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Division,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:
Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett') is a beautiful perennial that thrives in semi-shady areas. When planted in the garden, it requires plenty of moisture, but not overly wet soil. You should water columbine plants deeply and thoroughly every 5-7 days during the summer months, making sure to saturate the ground deeply. In the cooler months, extending the time between waterings to 10-15 days is fine. Always water in the morning or early afternoon and avoid wetting the foliage, as this can promote disease. In areas that experience a dry winter, an occasional watering may be necessary to help keep the plants healthy.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett') prefers full sun to partial shade and requires 4-6 hours of direct sunshine per day. This species thrives in areas that experience bright morning light and filtered afternoon light. During the summer months, Columbine should receive morning sun and afternoon shade, and during the winter it should get more direct sun, especially if it is growing in a cooler on northern climates. Columbine should be placed in an area where it will receive indirect sunlight for the best growth and blooms. It is best to avoid direct sunlight in the middle of the day when it is the hottest.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett') should typically be pruned lightly each year in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut back any dead flower stalks to the base, cut any overgrown stems back by a third to a half, and remove any twiggy or crossed branches. Columbine does not require heavy pruning and should only have minimum amounts taken each year.
Season
The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett' is usually in July or August.
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.