Columbine typically start flowering in April and May.
columbine
Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns'
Also Known As - Eastern Red Columbine,Wild Columbine,Wild ColumbineColumbine, or Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns', is truly a remarkable species. Its classic form contains pale yellow petals, usually with a red tinge at the tips, surrounded by bluish-green sac-like leaves. In addition, the pale yellow trumpet-shaped blooms seem to defy gravity, hovering over the mounding foliage. When in bloom, Little Lanterns will cause observers to take pause, admiring their unique loveliness and charming lantern-shaped pendulum flowers. Little Lanterns adds layer of interest and beauty to any garden, bringing unparalleled charm and grace.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Light pink/yellow to blood red/yellow Flowers
Sun:
Sun, Partial Shade
Soil:
Sandy Loamy Humus Rocky
Fruits:
green,yellow,brown Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns') should be watered once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. When watering, take care not to overwater, as too much can lead to root rot. Water potted plants when the top inch of soil is dry, or when the leaves have started to droop. If planted outside, provide near-daily waterings during periods of extreme heat or drought. It is important to allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
sunlight
Columbine requires partial to full sun for best performance. This species does best when planted in a location that receives 4-6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal, as too much afternoon sun may lead to leaf burn. The plant will also do well in a partially shaded location.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns') should generally only be pruned in late winter, before new growth begins in the spring. Prune off any branches that appear leggy or to have died back. You should also remove any spent flowers to encourage more blooms. If your plant is in need of more shape, you can also prune lower branches, taking care to make sure the remaining stems are evenly distributed around the plant. You should not prune more than 1/3 of the branches or stems as this could be damaging to the plant.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Harvest Fruit
The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns' 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.
