Aquilegia Crimson Star (Columbine)

Aquilegia Crimson Star’ is very eye-catching with its long-spurred, bright crimson-red flowers with a white corolla, rising with natural grace above a compact mound of fern-like, light green foliage.

Aquilegia Crimson Star' is very eye-catching with its long-spurred, bright crimson-red flowers with a white corolla, rising with natural grace above a compact mound of fern-like, light green foliage. Blooming for 4-6 weeks in late spring to early summer, this perennial is generally short-lived but will self-seed prolifically.

  • Grows in a bushy, upright clump, up to 24-30 in. tall (60-75 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade, in averagemedium moisturewell-drained soils. Seriously dislikes poorly drained soils! Richmoist soils in part shade are preferred. Do not let the soil dry out.
  • Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, but is ignored by rabbits and deer!
  • Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to bedsborderscottage gardensshade gardens, or naturalized areas. This compact Columbine may also be grown in containers, and it makes good cut flowers!
  • Susceptible to leaf miner.
  • May be grown from seed sown directly in the garden in spring (after the danger of frost has passed). Division is possible in spring, but it may take some time for the plant to recover.
  • Remove faded flowering stems to promote additional bloom. Cut to the ground when the foliage declines (around midsummer).
  • Contact with sap may irritate the skin

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 9

Heat Zones 1
– 9

Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Aquilegia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)Summer (Early)
Height 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 24″ (60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow