Columbine typically start flowering in April and May.
columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris (Vervaeneana Group)
The columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris (Vervaeneana Group)) is an amazing plant species with beautiful bell-shaped flowers in a range of colors. It stands out amongst other plants with its uniquely shaped petals and elegant hue of bright and vivid colors, ranging from pale blue, yellow, white to pink and deep red. Its stunning display of colors along with a distinct nodding habit make it a great choice for gardens, containers, flowerbeds and more. The columbine is an easy to grow plant and does best in full to partial sun and moist soil. All these qualities make columbine an ideal choice for gardeners looking for a beautiful yet low-maintenance flowering plant.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Root Cutting,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Blue, violet, white, pink, red Flowers
Sun:
Sun
Fruits:
green,yellow,black Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris (Vervaeneana Group)) should be watered whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. During the growing season (spring and summer), you can water the plant more frequently (e.g. every 3-4 days) when the weather is hot. During the cooler months (autumn and winter), water less frequently (e.g. every 5-7 days). Always check the soil before watering, as overwatering can cause the plant to rot. Water the plant at its base to avoid wetting the leaves.
sunlight
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris (Vervaeneana Group)) prefers full-sun to partial shade, with 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight being optimal. If planted in a spot with full sun exposure, it is recommended to provide shade during the hottest part of the day (around noon). Columbines can also cope well with short periods of dry soil, however, without the right care and amount of light, they may become leggy. The best time of day for columbine plants to absorb sunlight is between 9 am and 4 pm when the sun is strongest.
pruning
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris (Vervaeneana Group)) should be pruned in late autumn or early spring. Pruning should be done carefully to avoid damaging the young shoots. Pruning should be kept to a minimum, as it encourages tall, leggy growth and can reduce plant health. Focus on cutting away dead, diseased, or wilted foliage to keep the plant healthy. If necessary, you can also cut back some of the stems as far as the main branch or stem, but no shorter. This helps promote new, healthy growth and encourages flowering.
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 (Vervaeneana Group) is usually in July or 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.
