Columbine typically start flowering in April or May.
columbine
Aquilegia glandulosa
The Columbine, or Aquilegia Glandulosa and its gorgeous five-petaled bloom, is a great addition to any garden. Its deep purple to blue petals, white to yellow tips, and deep green stem and foliage add plenty of visual appeal to any outdoor space. This North American native is easy to grow and attracts plenty of pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. It thrives in partial shade, but can survive in full sun, too. Best of all, when treated right, Columbine will reward gardeners with blooms all throughout the summer season. It's an amazing plant to watch and admire, and one you'll never tire of.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Blue and white Flowers
Sun:
full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Columbine requires moderate watering, about 1 inch or 25 millimeters of water per week. Water early in the morning, so the leaves dry quickly and the soil can cool off. Avoid watering in the evenings as this can lead to fungal diseases. Make sure to water deeply, saturating the soil around the root zone. When temperatures are higher, you may need to increase watering slightly, providing up to 1.5 inches (38 millimeters) of water. Columbine prefers slightly moist soil but can tolerate periods of dryness. Avoid overwatering, which can cause crown, root, or stem rot.
sunlight
Columbine plants prefer full sun to partial shade, preferably in the morning. The species Aquilegia glandulosa does best in an area that gets at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. The sun should be on the upper canopy of the plant and should be at the most intense during the morning hours. If possible, planting in an area that has eastern-facing exposure is ideal for columbine, as it will provide lots of morning light and some afternoon shade.
pruning
Columbine should be pruned in the early spring, just as the new foliage is emerging but before any flowers have bloomed. Depending on the size of the plant, it can be pruned back by up to 1-third or by as little as 1-sixth. Removing straggly and overcrowded stems will help to promote air circulation, reduce disease, and promote fuller growth. Larger clumps should also be divided every 3 to 4 years to improve overall health and blooming.
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.
