Columbine typically start flowering in April and May.
columbine
Aquilegia viridiflora
The Columbine (Aquilegia viridiflora) is a beautiful plant that can be found in many meadows, woodland areas, and gardens. Its bell-shaped flower blooms come in various shades of blue, white, yellow, and even purple. These flowers often have delicate spurred petals and are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. The bright green foliage has a fan-like shape and fern-like texture, making them a unique addition to any garden. Columbines are hardy and easily grown in well-drained soil without too much fuss and need relatively little watering. They will bloom in the second year of planting, brightening up gardens for many months. They are truly an amazing plant species.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Yellowish green Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
watering
Columbine does best when the soil is moist, but not soggy. When planting columbine, water well and then allow the soil to dry out before watering again. To maintain healthy growth, water columbine regularly about once a week when it's actively growing. However, when in bloom, slowly reduce the amount of water to only once every 2 weeks. In the winter, when plants are dormant, water only enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia viridiflora) plants require at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, ideally when the sun is at its highest point in the sky and taking into consideration any local climatic characteristics. Columbine plants should be grown in planting locations that provide full sun during mid-day hours, and then a bright, partially shaded area for the remainder of the day. Providing the right amount of sunlight helps to ensure that columbine will bloom with healthy, vibrant flowers.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia viridiflora) should be pruned once a year in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. For ideal results, remove any winter-killed stems and prune in a method where 1-third of the stem is removed at an angle. This will encourage new growth and flowering. Since Columbine is known for its attractive foliage, it is not necessary to cut back too far.
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.
