Species columbine
blue-white flowers with yellow stamens, green leaves and green-brown stems

columbine

Aquilegia 'Pagoda Blue and White'

The Aquilegia 'Pagoda Blue and White' columbine is an amazing species that showcases its beauty in the form of striking blue and white flowers. It is not only attractive to look at, but also serves a functional purpose. Its large, lobed leaves are excellent for providing shade and blocking out some sunlight. This species is known to be a great choice for landscaping projects, due to its hardiness and long-lasting blooms. In addition, it has a unique flower formation, in which the blooms are arranged in the shape of a pagoda. This picturesque columbine is sure to bring a burst of vibrant color to any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Blue and white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,white

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Columbine should be watered frequently to ensure consistent soil moisture. Water when the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch, and every 7 to 10 days when it is not raining. Too much or too little water can cause plant stress, so make sure to monitor the plant consistently. Soak the soil thoroughly, ensuring that the water has reached the root zone. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot and other health issues. During the hottest days of the summer, this plant may need more frequent watering, so keep an eye on it during those times.

sunlight

Columbine (Aquilegia 'Pagoda Blue and White') should do best in medium to bright light, such as in an east-facing window. Sunlight should be filtered through a sheer curtain or a UV-absorbing glass. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight, as this can burn the leaves. For best results, provide 4 to 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day.

pruning

Columbine (Aquilegia 'Pagoda Blue and White') should be pruned back to the rosette of basal leaves in the spring when new growth starts. Pruning is usually not necessary, but you can trim away spent flower stalks and any stems that appear leggy or scraggly. To keep the plants compact and bushy, cut plants back to encourage new basal shoots and remove any spent flowers. If the flowers have already set seed, these can be collected and sown for next season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Columbine typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

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.