Growing and Nurturing Columbine: A Beginner’s Guide

Aquilegia spp., also known as Columbine, is a herbaceous perennial plant with clover-like foliage and blooms that resemble jester’s caps. These plants are ideal for attracting hummingbirds and are generally planted in early spring. The blooms come in various colors, and most have spurs streaming horizontally from the back of each flower. Columbines are short-lived perennial plants but can readily self-sow if you let the flower heads go to seed instead of deadheading them. They have a moderate growth rate, and seeds germinate in about 20 to 30 days. Columbine plants are toxic to humans.

To care for columbines, gardeners can save money by starting the plants from seed rather than buying them at the nursery in pots. Not deadheading will result in plenty of self-sown replacements. These plants prefer medium moisture, well-drained soil and do not tolerate hot, full sun well as they decline in the summer. Once established, columbine plants are drought-tolerant perennials, perfect for rock gardens and woodland gardens. Their attractive foliage makes them suitable as edging plants, and they are frequently used in cottage gardens.

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Columbine plants can be grown in partial shade, but they can also tolerate full sun in cooler climates. The ideal soil for this plant is well-drained and high in organic material, with a pH level that ranges from neutral to slightly acidic. Good drainage is essential for the plant, so sandy or loamy soil is preferred over clay. Watering should be done moderately, with watering only necessary when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Young plants require more water than established ones, which only need watering once a week. Mulching the plants can help conserve water during the summer months. Columbine plants are perennials and grow best in cooler temperatures. Fertilization should be done with a liquid, water-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus once a month during the growing season. Avoid using nitrogen-rich fertilizers as these can affect flower production. There are different types of columbine plants available, such as Aquilegia flabellata ‘Nana,’ Aquilegia ‘Crimson Star,’ Aquilegia ‘McKana Hybrid,’ Aquilegia caerulea, and Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Clementine Salmon-Rose.’

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To keep your columbine plants healthy and vibrant, it is recommended to prune them back to the base leaves right after blooming. This can promote new stem growth, resulting in another round of blooms later in the season. You can also trim the plant by half its height after flowering to keep it attractive and green throughout the summer.

Columbine can be propagated through sowing seeds or division. Seeds can be directly sown in early spring or summer, while division should be done every two or three years to ensure the plant remains vigorous. To divide the plant, dig around it with a spade or shovel and lift it out of the ground. Quickly divide and replant the plant using a sharp, sterilized knife.

If you want to grow columbine from seed, you can collect ripened seed pods and store them in the refrigerator over the winter. Plant the seeds in moist soil and place them in a sunny location. Seedlings will emerge in three to four weeks, which can then be transplanted outdoors when they reach a height of three to four inches.

Columbine can also be potted in medium-sized containers using good quality and well-draining potting soil. These plants can withstand cold temperatures, so you can remove wilted foliage and cut the stalks to the ground at the end of their growing season. Mulching can provide extra protection during winter.

Columbine is susceptible to pests and diseases such as leaf miners, sawflies, aphids, gray mold, and powdery mildew. You can control these problems by handpicking the infected parts, spraying with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, and applying fungicides when needed.

To get columbine to bloom and extend its bloom period, pinch spent flowers back to just above a bud. Plants started in fall will bloom the following spring, but those sown in the spring will not bloom until the next year. Common problems with columbine include yellowing leaves in hot or dry summers, leaves turning white due to powdery mildew, and leaves disappearing from slug infestation. You can keep the soil evenly moist to sustain the plant or use bait or daomaceous earth to control slugs.