Columbine typically start flowering in April and May.
columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris (Grandmother's Garden Group)
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), also known as Grandmother's Garden Group, is a stunning flowering plant with a unique charm. The nodding bell-shaped flowers exhibit vibrant colors of blue, purple, and white that make this plant a beloved addition to any garden. Columbine also has a long blooming season from late spring to midsummer. Its foliage is deeply lobed and forms a bobble-like shape that is sure to delight. This versatile plant is perfect for flower beds, woodland settings, or even planted along walkways and paths. Columbine is a breathtaking spectacle and is sure to bring beauty to any garden.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Blue, violet, white, pink, red Flowers
Sun:
Sun
Fruits:
green,yellow,black Fruits Ready In Summer
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
watering
Columbine plants (Aquilegia vulgaris) prefer moist soil, and will need to be watered twice a week during the growing season, watering the soil until it is moist to a depth of several inches. During the hottest months of summer, they may need to be watered more frequently in order to keep the soil evenly moist. In the colder months, less frequent watering is needed. It's best to water the soil close to the base of the plant rather than from overhead. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, avoiding overwatering and standing water.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris (Grandmother's Garden Group)) plants need approximately 5 to 6 hours of sunlight per day for optimal growth. It is best to place them in a spot that receives morning sunlight, as well as some dappled sunlight throughout the day. As a full sun plant, it grows best when it receives direct sunlight in the morning and late afternoon when the sunlight isn’t as intense. During the hottest parts of the year (particularly in the summer months), Columbine will benefit from a little afternoon shade.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) should be pruned in early summer, after blooming has finished. Pruning should target dead or weak stems, as well as those that are overcrowded or diseased. It is best to remove around 1-third of the plant in order to promote new growth. Be sure to use sterilized pruning shears to avoid spreading disease to other plants in the garden. After pruning, it is important to keep this species well-watered to ensure healthy growth.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Harvest Fruit
The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Aquilegia vulgaris is in July and August.
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.
