Aquilegia (Columbine)

Aquilegia, commonly known as Columbine or Granny's Bonnet is an excellent garden perennial with attractive clouds of delicate, bell-shaped flowers and a wonderful lacy foliage that emerges early in the year. Blooming profusely for at least 4-6 weeks, from mid-spring through summer (depending on varieties and regions), they provide a lovely and welcomed transition between the early spring bulbs and the peak garden season.

• There are many colorful hybrid varieties or species to choose from, some with single or double, short-spurred or spurless flowers, and in a wide array of colors ranging from light pastels to bright yellow, from blue to violet to white to pink to red.
• Size can vary greatly, with dwarf varieties that don't get much taller than 4-6 in. (10-15 cm) and taller varieties that easily reach 3 ft. (90 cm).
• Columbine performs best in full sun to part shade, in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Seriously dislikes poorly drained soils! Rich, moist soils in part shade are preferred. Do not let the soil dry out.
• The bell-shaped flowers are not only attractive to gardeners. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees love them too, while rabbits and deer tend to ignore them!
• Easy to grow, and widely adaptable, Columbine is a welcomed addition to beds, borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, shade gardens, or naturalized areas.
• A classic element of herbaceous borders, Columbine mixes beautifully with peonies, irises, alliums, and roses. Their delicate fan-shaped foliage also provides a lovely contrast to Ferns, and Hostas and blends well with other shade lovers, such as Hellebores and Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis). You may plant Columbine flowers in containers, but they will need regular watering.
• Despite their delicate and airy appearance, Columbine plants are tougher than they appear. Although they tend to be short-lived perennials, lasting only two to three years, Columbine will self-seed prolifically and persist in the garden for years. Keep in mind that Columbine varieties readily cross-pollinate. If you plant more than one variety, be prepared to see new colors and combinations. If self-sowing becomes a nuisance, shear the plants back in midsummer, to prevent seed pods from forming.

Growing Columbine Flowers