Columbine typically starts flowering in April and May.
columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Plena'
The Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris 'Plena') is an amazing and unique flowering plant. Its elegant bell-shaped blooms come in a wide variety of hues, from light pink to deep purple. Columbines are also known for their distinctive forked petals, which add to its charm and make it stand out against other flowering plants. The foliage of the Columbine is fern-like, adding texture and visual interest to any garden or container. This majestic plant is drought-tolerant and attracts beneficial pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It is an excellent choice for any sunny to partly-shaded location, making it an easy-care choice for the avid gardener!
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Blue, violet, white, pink, red Flowers
Sun:
Sun
Fruits:
green,red,yellow,orange Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Columbines should be watered on a regular schedule (about every 1-2 weeks) to ensure proper soil moisture. They should be watered deeply, providing enough water to reach the root zone (up to 4 inches deep). Make sure soil is well-draining to avoid over-watering. Water thoroughly until water runs out the bottom of the container. Use a garden hose or watering can to provide even and consistent saturation. It's important to avoid wetting the foliage in order to prevent potential disease and insect problems. Additionally, it's important to consider local conditions and your plant's specific needs. During periods of dry or windy weather, it may be necessary to water a little more frequently. Let the soil be your guide – if it feels dry to the touch, it's time to water.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris 'Plena') prefers full sun or partial shade. When grown in partial shade, it will flower more profusely. If grown in full sun, it requires 6-8 hours of light per day, typically late morning to mid-afternoon sun. If grown in partial shade, it should receive 3-5 hours of direct sun daily in the morning or evening.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris 'Plena') should be pruned during the early spring, after all danger of frost has passed. To encourage a more compact habit, it can be pruned lightly in August. Pruning helps to keep the plant looking tidy while encouraging new growth. To prune, use sharp, clean pruning shears and cut back the spent flowers and stems from the prior year. Remove any damaged, diseased, or crossed stems. Always leave at least 3 to 4 stems on the plant to help protect it from disease. Take care not to damage the tender new growth at this time.
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 'Plena' 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.
