Columbine typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
columbine
Aquilegia 'Spezialrasse'
Columbine (Aquilegia 'Spezialrasse') is a truly spectacular plant. Its elegant, bell-shaped blooms in bright shades of red, purple and yellow make a gorgeous floral display that is sure to draw attention. The lush, green foliage and long-lasting blooms add color and texture to the garden while providing excellent cut flowers. This unique species is also very hardy and can tolerate shade, sun and even poor soil conditions. With regular watering and fertilization, columbine will remain a stunning addition to your garden for many seasons.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 8
Flowers:
Red, white, yellow, blue and combinations thereof Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Aquilegia 'Spezialrasse' should be watered frequently to keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy. Water should be applied directly to the base of the plant, avoiding contact with the leaves. Water once or twice a week, but check the soil regularly. When the surface of the soil feels dry, it is time to water. During hot and dry summer days, it may be necessary to water more frequently.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia 'Spezialrasse') requires about 6 hours of sunlight each day for optimal growth. Sunlight in the early morning and late afternoon are best to prevent leaf scorching. Partial shade is also beneficial to reduce water loss on very hot days. It is important to avoid direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, since it can cause the leaves to burn and dry out. Particular attention should be paid to the positioning of the plant in relation to the sun; if possible, the plant should be placed where it will receive indirect light from the sun for most of the day.
pruning
Colombine should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Pruning should be minimal and focused primarily on removing dead, damaged, or diseased growth. If flowering is spent, it can also be cut back to improve the look of the plant. Be sure to leave the basal leaves intact, which will help the plant regenerate new foliage. As a rule of thumb, remove no more than 1-third of the plant at any given time.
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.
