Columbine typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
columbine
Aquilegia (McKana Group)
One of the worldâs most beautiful flowering plants, Columbine (Aquilegia (McKana Group)) is a stunning, old-fashioned flower that is historically linked to humility and grace. Its large, vivid flowers open in early to mid-summer, and are available in a variety of colors, from warm yellow to bright blues, violets to deep reds and white. Its serrated foliage is deeply cut, adding to its overall beauty. With a strong naturalistâs reputation and a unique, lacy bloom, Columbine is a welcomed sight in any garden.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Root Cutting,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 9
Flowers:
White, red, yellow, blue, pink, purple, maroon, bicolors Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Columbine (Aquilegia (McKana Group)) should be watered generously, every 5-7 days, depending on the weather. If your Columbine is growing in a container, water it when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. If you're growing it in the ground, water it when the soil is dry 1-2 inches deep. During extreme heat or draughts, you may need to water your Columbine more often. Avoid over-watering, Columbine does not like wet feet. Make sure it doesn't sit in soggy soil or standing water, as this will cause root rot.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia McKana Group) plants prefer partial to full sun and should be grown in well-draining soil. The soil should have a pH between 5.8â8.0. Depending on the cultivar, Columbine can reach heights of 24â36 inches. Columbine plants do best in 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Generally, it's best to provide early morning sun with some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. This will help protect the plants from scorching in the heat of the day. Columbine plants can also benefit from filtered or indirect sunlight, such as partial shade that is provided by large trees or buildings. This type of light is usually enough for the plants to thrive and flower profusely. In winter, Columbine should receive less light, as the plants need a break from its longer summer growing cycle. During this time, it's best to provide 3 to 4 hours of indirect sunlight per day, and more in the cooler climates of the northern regions.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia (McKana Group)) should be lightly pruned in the early spring, just before active growth begins. This pruning should focus on removing any dead or diseased stems, as well as any shoots that have grown too large or are competing with other stems within the same clump. Additionally, if the columbine has been in the same spot for a few years, it is a good idea to prune it back by a third or more to encourage a flush of new growth. Pruning too hard in any given season can shock the plant, so it is best to prune gradually over multiple seasons.
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. Itâs important to be aware that columbine is an aggressive self-seeder, so if you donât 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.
