Columbine typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
columbine
Aquilegia 'Swallowtail'
Aquilegia 'Swallowtail' Columbine is an amazing flowering perennial that proves perfect for gardens in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. This stunning plant produces an abundance of long-spurred, bi-coloured flowers during mid-spring in a range of soft pinks and yellows, each lasting up to a month. The delicate flowers are pollinator magnets, making this species the perfect choice for attracting lots of butterflies and other beneficial insects to your garden. On top of this, the deeply divided, fern-like foliage continues to add interest throughout the summer months. It's clump-forming nature rarely requires division, providing a beautiful and easy-care feature in any setting!
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
5 - 10
Flowers:
Yellow and lemon-yellow Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Columbine (Aquilegia 'Swallowtail') should be watered regularly throughout the year. However, during the summer months, water slightly less as its roots may suffer from too much moisture. Water this species lightly but evenly once a week in order to provide enough moisture without causing damage. During warm seasons, it is beneficial to water deeply and less frequently (every 10-14 days may be enough). However, in winter its water needs are lower so it should be watered only when the soil is drying enough. The most important point to consider is that the soil should never be saturated.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia 'Swallowtail') plants need an average of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimum growth. If the columbine is planted in too much shade, it will be weak and wispy. If it gets too much sun, the foliage may become burned. Providing the right amount of sunlight will promote lush, healthy foliage and an abundance of vibrant flowers. For optimal growth, columbines should receive morning sun and afternoon shade, or dappled shade throughout the day. During hot climates, columbines should receive light shade throughout the day.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia 'Swallowtail') should be pruned in late winter or early spring, just as new growth begins. Prune as much as 1-third of the plant's stems and foliage back to the ground. This will help promote new growth and create a denser, more robust plant. It will also increase blooming performance. Deadheading spent flowers immediately after blooming will also help to promote more blooms.
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.
