Aquilegia Earlybird Blue White (Columbine)
Prized for its vibrant colors and neatly mounded habit, Aquilegia Earlybird Blue White (Columbine) is a compact perennial boasting a profusion of long-spurred, bright blue and white flowers. Blooming profusely in late spring to early summer, the blossoms are borne on relatively short stems and rise elegantly above the lacy, deeply-cut foliage.
Prized for its vibrant colors and neatly mounded habit, Aquilegia Earlybird Blue White (Columbine) is a compact perennial boasting a profusion of long-spurred, bright blue and white flowers. Blooming profusely in late spring to early summer, the blossoms are borne on relatively short stems and rise elegantly above the lacy, deeply-cut foliage. Noted for its controlled habit, this columbine is generally short-lived but will self-seed in the landscape in satisfactory growing conditions. Excellent for both the landscape and containers. As an added bonus, the flowers will last well in cut arrangements.
- Grows up to 9-12 in. tall and wide (22-30 cm).
- Performs best in full sun to part shade, in loose, average to rich, moist, well-drained soils. Seriously dislikes poorly drained soils! Rich, moist soils in part shade are preferred.
- Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, but it is deer and rabbit resistant.
- Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to beds, borders, cottage gardens, shade gardens or containers. Excellent cut flowers lasting up to 2 weeks in a vase.
- Removing spent flowers will increase the blooming time.
- Subject to fungal diseases, borers, leaf miners, and aphids.
- Propagate by sowing named seed rather than by division. Mature plants do not like to be disturbed.
- Remove faded flowering stems to promote additional bloom. Cut to the ground when the foliage declines in the fall.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3 – 9 |
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Heat Zones | 1 – 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Aquilegia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late)Summer (Early) |
Height | 9" – 1' (22cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 9" – 1' (22cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 9″ – 12″ (22cm – 30cm) |
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, Informal and Cottage |