Columbine typically starts flowering in April and May.
columbine
Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana
Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana) is an amazing plant species for so many reasons. First, it is incredibly beautiful, boasting golden-yellow petals with tints of orange, surrounding azure blue sepals. Its eye-catching flowers also remain on the plant for a long time and give off a sweet, pleasant fragrance. Columbine is also rather hardy, surviving in a wide range of climates, and deer and rabbits tend to stay away from it. They can also attract beautiful hummingbirds and butterflies, adding an extra touch of colour to the garden. Columbine is an easy species to propagate and make use of in other garden projects due to its long-lasting nature and robustness.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 8
Flowers:
Yellow Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
watering
Columbine enjoys regular watering. During the summer, water every other day or so; water more often during hot or dry weather. During the winter, water once every 2 weeks. Make sure the soil is moist, but not waterlogged or saturated. Test the soil periodically for moisture to ensure the plant is receiving the right amount of water.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana) plants prefer full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. They require at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day to grow and bloom optimally. If planted in a partially shaded area, it should receive morning sunlight, since afternoon shade will reduce blooming. It's best to avoid periods of peak sun, especially during the hottest months, as the plants may scorch in direct sunlight. When grown in a full sun location, the blooming period will be extended.
pruning
Columbine should be pruned in spring, after the plant has finished flowering. You should only prune off the spent flower stems, taking care to leave any healthy stems and foliage intact. Pruning should be done sparingly and only the portion of the stem directly below the flower should be removed. Avoid pruning away the foliage, as that will reduce the plant’s ability to photosynthesize and store energy for subsequent flowering. If the entire stem needs to be pruned away, take care to do it in such a way that only healthy, non-flowering stems are cut back.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
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.
