columbine flowers

Columbine Growing And Care Guide

The Columbine plant (Aquilegia) is a low-maintenance perennial that provides seasonal appeal for much of the year. It flowers in a variety of hues in the spring, emerging from its gorgeous dark green leaves, which become crimson in the fall. Hummingbirds love the bell-shaped blossoms, which may also be utilized in cut-flower arrangements.

Columbine is a perennial blooming plant that does not fare well indoors. You may try and grow it from seed indoors and keep it in a warm room, but it will most likely die and not flower.

Growing Columbine 

The blossoms of Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) are believed to resemble jester’s hats, and their ability to attract hummingbirds would undoubtedly put bird observers in a good mood. This airy herbaceous perennial with lovely clover-like leaves. The flowers come in a variety of hues, and the majority feature spurs, which are long, narrow strips that run horizontally from the rear of each flower. Early spring is the best time to grow this plant. Beginning in mid-spring, established plants generally bloom for four weeks.

Here are some brief facts about the popular aesthetic plant:

  • Latin name: Aquilegia spp.
  • Other names: Columbine
  • Native to: North America, Europe, Asia
  • Invasiveness: No
  • Tenderness: Herbaceous perennial
  • Sun: Full/partial Sun
  • Water: Average
  • Soil: Sandy, loamy, moist but well-drained
  • Hardiness zone: Zones 3 through 8
  • When to plant: Spring
  • Spacing: 15-18 inches
  • Plant height: 1-3 ft. 
  • Bloom period: Spring to summer
  • Time to maturity: 2 years
  • Container friendly: Yes
  • Fertilizer: 5-10-5
  • Toxicity: Toxic to humans
  • Deer resistant: Yes
  • Pest resistant: No

Columbine plants don’t mind soil as long as it’s well-draining and not too dry. While they prefer full light in most regions, they dislike extreme heat, especially in the summer. As a result, in warmer climates, such as the south, plant them in partial shade with lots of mulch to keep the soil moist. Mulch will also help shield and protect these plants in other areas over the winter. Columbines are short-lived perennials, but if you leave the flower heads to go to seed instead of deadheading them, they can quickly self-sow and establish a colony of plants when growth conditions are ideal. Their growth rate is modest, and seeds germinate in 20 to 30 days. 

Water

Columbine likes wet soil, so water when the upper inch or so of soil dries up. Keep the soil uniformly wet but never waterlogged as new plants develop. Established plants only require watering once a week. Mulch the plants in the summer to preserve water.

Sunlight

The typical suggestion for growing Columbine is partial shade, however, this plant may survive full sun in temperate climes and on mild spring days.

Soil

Columbine plants should be grown in well-drained, humusy soil with a pH of neutral to slightly acidic. Before planting, add some compost to the soil to offer rich organic material. Because adequate drainage is important, they prefer sandy or loamy soil over clay.

Fertilizing

During the growth season (spring to autumn), use a liquid, water-soluble fertilizer once a month to encourage healthy foliage and enhanced flowering. For good root growth, this plant requires phosphorus. Too much nitrogen in the fertilizer might damage flower output; instead, use a 5-10-5 NPK fertilizer with added phosphorus.

Invasiveness

Columbine grows fast from seeds and can self-seed in the correct climate. Due to cross-breeding, self-seeded plants may produce different colored blooms than their parent plant. Even though this plant self-seeds voraciously and has naturalized in some locations, it is not considered invasive.

Growing Columbine In Containers

Each seedling should be planted in a ten-inch pot. The container might be made of plastic, clay, wood, or stone, but it must include drainage holes on the bottom. Fill each container halfway with potting soil of excellent grade that drains properly. If you’re starting the seeds inside, place one to two Columbine seeds on top of the soil mix and lightly cover them with extra dirt. Place them in a bright area. In three to four weeks, the seeds will emerge.

Care & Tips

Columbines are easy to grow from seed and reproduce quickly once established. Columbine plant seeds can be planted directly in the garden from early spring to mid-summer. They don’t even need to be covered as long as they get plenty of light. Plant all of the pre-established plants at the same stage, with the crowns at the soil level. Seeds and plants should be spaced between 1 and 2 feet apart (.3 to .6 m.). Plants planted from seed will not bloom until their second year.

Common Problems

Columbine foliage frequently exhibits the “doodling” of leaf miners, although the damage is typically minor and gives the foliage a sort of haphazardly “variegated” aspect that some gardeners find charming. Watch for the first indications of activity, check the leaves for larvae, and squish them between your fingers. At the first hint of mining activity, you can also carefully select leaves. Columbine sawflies and aphids are two more prevalent pests. Columbine may be affected by fungi like grey mold and powdery mildew. Remove wilted flowers to prevent grey mold from growing. If signs such as fuzzy grey mold or white mildew appear, use a fungicide to treat it.

Propagating Columbine

Seeds or division are the greatest ways to reproduce Columbine. In the early spring or summer, immediately sow Columbine seeds in the garden.

Columbine can be split once every two or three years in the spring. For several years, a split plant stays bright and vigorous. Columbine has deep roots, so if you need to divide it, do so carefully. Columbine is easiest to grow via propagating from gathered seeds. Harvest the matured seed pods left inside after the blossoms have faded and dried out, then break them open to gather the lustrous black seeds.

Wildlife Attracted By Columbine

Columbine may reach a height of 18 to 24 inches and has flowers that attract both butterflies and hummingbirds. The vibrant blossoms are available in practically every hue of the rainbow, with lilac, blue, and yellow being the most popular. Columbine attracts hummingbirds in particular.

The History Of Columbine 

The genus Aquilegia arrived in North America very recently, between 10,000 to 40,000 years ago during the Pleistocene. The Bering land bridge exposed vast swaths of the shallow continental shelf during this period. This established a vast geographical link between northern Asia and unglaciated areas of Alaska and the Yukon. Many plants and animals were able to spread across the Asian and American continents because of this land bridge. During that time, Columbines are said to have crossed the Bering land bridge from Asia into North America.

Uses For Columbine

Columbines are harmful to people as well as animals such as cats, dogs, and horses. Most animals intuitively avoid this shrub, but if you have a pet who chews on flowers, keep Columbine plants out of their grasp. Unless thoroughly cooked, the leaves are hazardous. Unless you are in a life-threatening scenario, you should stick to the flowers.

The pods and roots are extremely dangerous and should not be ingested. Columbine is perhaps the most adaptable plant in your garden. Columbine thrives in damp circumstances and rock gardens and may adapt to a variety of temperatures.

Mayukh Saha
Freelance Writer
Mayukh is a Content Marketer and Social Media Manager with over 5 years of experience in the industry. Mayukh believes in the power of content; how it can positively impact lives, scale businesses and touch people. In his spare time Mayukh likes to read about latest tech trends and loves to travel in the nature. You can reach him at [email protected].