How to Grow Purple Columbine

Columbines, or Aquilegia, are known for their showy blooms that attract bees and hummingbirds. There are 60 to 70 species of the genus and they may be found growing in the wild or cultivated in gardens. These perennials come in a variety of shades–including yellow, pink, white, blue and purple–and grow from 15 to 20 inches tall. Consider purple columbine for a striking, wildlife-friendly garden feature.

Identification

• Purple columbine can be grown directly from seed or from a starter plant obtained from a nursery. Their blooms can range from light to dark purple with variations of white, yellow or blue throughout. They tolerate a light frost and are hardy from USDA zones 3 to 9. New columbine plants flower in their second year.

Considerations

• Choose a location in partial shade to plant purple columbine. Pick an area with high-quality, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Keep the soil evenly moist; do not allow it to dry out. Fertilize purple columbine plants once or twice per season with a general 10-10-10 formulation.

Benefits

• Purple columbine is a low-maintenance plant. It grows well in a variety of soil types, from sandy to loamy to rocky. Purple columbine is generally resistant to disease and pests.

Considerations

• Purple cultivars include Black Barlow, a dark purple shade; Clementine Dark Purple, which has a bold and bright purple hue; and William Guiness, which has blooms of dark purple surrounded by white. Rocky Mountain columbine, a white and lavender variety, is the state flower of Colorado.