Species Small Flower Columbine
violet-white flowers with cream filaments, yellow anthers, violet stems and green leaves

Small Flower Columbine

Aquilegia brevistyla

Also Known As - Blue Columbine
Small Flower Columbine (Aquilegia brevistyla) is a delightful perennial bloomer that loves partly sunny spots and moist soil. Growing to heights of around 16 inches, it produces abundant showy blooms with long curved spurs of yellow sepals and rich blue petals. Clusters of tightly packed blossoms form on strong stems, adding brilliant shades of blue and yellow to your garden. To make it even more desirable, Small Flower Columbine is heat and drought tolerant, making it ideal for the harsh climates of many parts of the country. Its airy, feathery foliage is the perfect backdrop for the delicate blooms and will remain attractive all season long.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Root Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Blue Flowers

Sun:

Sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Small Flower Columbine should be watered every 2-3 days when the soil is dry to the touch. Make sure to avoid over-watering and only water when the soil surface is dry. It is important to check the soil daily, especially during warmer weather, as the soil can dry out quickly. It is best to use tepid water when watering your Small Flower Columbine and avoid getting the plant leaves wet in order to prevent them from becoming diseased. Water should never be allowed to stand in the pot for more than 30 minutes.

sunlight

Small Flower Columbine (Aquilegia brevistyla) prefer full to partial sun, and do best with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. For more growth and flowering, 8-10 hours of direct sunlight is ideal. When planted in full sun, it should be protected from temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures are excessively high during the day, it may be beneficial to provide some shade or move the plant to a more sheltered area. In the cooler months of fall and winter, Small Flower Columbine can handle some light shade.

pruning

Small Flower Columbine should be pruned once a year during the early spring, before the new growth emerges from the plant. Pruning helps to encourage new growth and replenish the old. Start by removing any dead or damaged stems. Cut back the entire plant by 1/3 to 1/2 its height. Cut down the old flower stems to the base of the plant to encourage new flowers and help encourage bushiness. Removing spent flowers will also help to maintain the plant’s health and vigor. To keep the Small Flower Columbine in a neat and compact shape, you can pinch back the growing tips of any branches or stems.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Small Flower Columbine typically start flowering in April.