About Columbine (Aquilegia)

One of the most hardy and versatile additions to any garden or park is the columbine. The flower comes in a wide variety of colors and some unusual shapes, making it an easy choice for the next planting season. Learning more about the Columbine can help you shape and plan your garden to maximize its impact and attractiveness.

Identification

• The columbine, also known as the aquilegia, is a wildflower common to North America and Europe that is a member of the buttercup family. There are about 60 varieties of the columbine due to its cross-pollinating nature. This results in a variety of flower colors ranging from pure white to deep crimson to dark, almost black petals.

Terrain

• The columbine can grow in moist soil and with any amount of sun, provided it has adequate water. If you wish to "dry garden"–that is to garden without irrigating and rely only on rain–the columbine does best in shady spots where it gets limited sun and thus loses the least amount of water.

Wildlife

• Columbine is a favorite of gardeners who prefer to attract local hummingbirds. The columbine’s typically tube-like flower is a natural for hummingbirds’ beaks and tongues, and its varied colors provide stimulation and attractiveness for the tiny birds. Also, some species of columbine attract colorful insects, particularly butterflies and moths. For example, the Sierra Columbine (Aquilegia Pubescens) can be pollinated by the hawkmoth and attracts them readily.

Care

• In order to germinate best, the columbine seeds should not be buried, since sunlight helps them germinate. Additionally, they should be kept well fed and watered if you want them to grow to their full height and fullness. In colder periods, such as early spring and in the fall, the flowers should be protected with a layer of straw that will ameliorate the effects of freeze/thaw cycles on the plant.

Warning

• Columbine put a lot of energy into creating new seeds and the process of going to seed will shorten the lifespan of the plant. In order to lengthen their lifespan, columbine flowers that are past their bloom should be pinched off. Additionally, columbine seeds are good only for about two or three years and will not germinate reliably after that period.