Columbine typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
columbine
Aquilegia 'Dove'
The Columbine (Aquilegia 'Dove') is a beautiful and remarkable flower. Its deep blue petals have a sweet, creamy white center that looks like a delicate dove. The plant has a lacy foliage that is ideal for adding texture to garden beds and makes a wonderful accent against greenery. Its vibrant blooms attract hummingbirds and bees, and its delicate fragrance will fill your garden with a peaceful, calming scent. The Columbine is a delightful addition to any garden and its stunning colors will bring joy for many years to come.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 9
Flowers:
White Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Columbine (Aquilegia 'Dove') is an easy-to-care-for perennial with delicate blooms that will add a splash of color to any garden. This plant prefers well-draining soil and a bright location with part to full shade. To keep these plants thriving, they require regular watering. Water columbine deeply and consistently to keep the soil moist but not soggy or wet. During the spring and summer months, the plants will need to be watered once to twice a week, depending on the temperature and the amount of rainfall. During the cooler months, when the plants are in a dormant stage, water once every 2 weeks. In periods of extreme heat or drought, providing an additional watering may be beneficial to ensure adequate moisture levels.
sunlight
The Columbine (Aquilegia 'Dove') grows best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers at least 6 hours of sunlight per day but can tolerate as much as 8 hours of direct direct sunlight. It can also tolerate partial shade conditions with enough indirect light. It should not be planted in areas that get less than 4 hours of sunlight a day. The plant should be watered regularly and deeply, allowing the soil to dry out between watering.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia 'Dove') should be pruned once a year in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Begin by removing any dead or damaged stems or leaves. If the plant is suffering from overcrowding, remove some of the older stems at the base to encourage healthier stem growth from the root. If the plant is overgrown, prune up to 1-third of the stems back leaving 1-2 inches of stem above the soil. After completing the pruning, apply a light layer of mulch and water the plant.
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.
