Aquilegia
( ak - quill - LEEJ - ee - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Columbine or Granny's Bonnet, this flowering perennial needs full sun or light shade and regular water. The distinctly spurred flowers will attract birds and butterflies into your yard. They are well-suited to woodland gardens and grow to anywhere from 2 inches to 4 feet tall. Leaves can be green, blue-green or grey-green. Flowers come in many different sizes, forms and colors and bloom in spring and early summertime.
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Aquilegia Species and Varietals
The genus Aquilegia is a member of the plant family Ranunculaceae and includes between 60 and 70 species. The genus name is derived from the Latin 'Aquila' (meaning eagle, referring to the hooked shape at the back of the blooms that look like talons). The best growing zones for Columbine vary depending on the species. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Aquilegia chrysantha (Golden Columbine, Golden-Spurred Columbine) This species grows best in zones 1-24, and is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and adjacent areas of Mexico. This is one of the showiest species of Columbine, and gets to 3-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. Leaves have soft hairs underneath, and upright yellow flowers have slender, hooked spurs (hence the common name). |
Aquilegia barnebyi (Oil Shale Columbine, Barneby's Columbine) Native to Colorado and Utah, this species was named for Rupert Charles Barneby who first discovered it in Colorado alongside colleague Dwight Dillon Ripley. These flowers do well in full sun to part shade, and reach between 12 and 30 inches tall. Flowers are salmon to red with yellow centers. This species was removed from endangered lists in 2021. |
Aquilegia brevistyla (Smallflower Columbine) This wildflower species is native to Alaska and Canada, its range reaching into northern South Dakota. Flowers bloom May through August, and are smaller than other species. Blooms are purple-blue with white centers. It is generally an understory plant but also can grow in more open areas. |
Aquilegia canadensis (Canadian Columbine, Canada Columbine, Eastern Red Columbine, Wild Columbine) This species is considered a wildflower and is native to woodland areas and rocky slopes in eastern North America. Plants reach between 6 and 35 inches tall, and produce red and yellow flowers in late springtime. Hybrids of this species are bred for use in the garden, and include a dwarf variety 'Little Lantern'. |
Aquilegia coerulea (Rocky Mountain Columbine) Best when grown in zones A1-A3, 1-11 and 14-24. This species is native to the Rockies, and is the state flower of Colorado. Gets to 1.5-3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Flowers are white and sky blue (hence 'coerulea') and have either straight or spreading spurs. Popularly grown garden varieties of this species include 'Origami' (with a variety of flower colors) and 'Crimson Stars' (with red flowers that have white centers). |
Aquilegia flabellata (Fan Columbine, Dwarf Columbine) This native of Japan is a stockier Columbine with two-toned (lilac-blue and white) flowers. Leaves are darker than other Columbine, and overlap each other. The 'Cameo' series also has dwarf plants, with two-toned flowers in white, blue, pink, or rose. Grows best in zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-24 and reaches between just 8 and 12 inches tall at maturity. |
Aquilegia formosa (Western Columbine, Crimson Columbine, Red Columbine) These Columbine plants grow best in zones A1-A3, 1-11 and 14-24 and is native from Alaska through Northern California, Montana, and Utah. Gets to 3 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide. Yellow flowers have red spurs. Great for woodland gardens, and should be allowed to set seeds, as the seeds are favorites of birds. Varietal Aquilegia formosa truncata has yellow and orange blossoms that have red spurs. |
Aquilegia x hybrida
These species of Columbine grow best in zones A2, A3, 1-10 and 14-24. McKana Hybrids are graceful with their long spurs, and Spring Song Hybrids has double flowers, both reaching around 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Other hybrids in this group are outlined below.
These species of Columbine grow best in zones A2, A3, 1-10 and 14-24. McKana Hybrids are graceful with their long spurs, and Spring Song Hybrids has double flowers, both reaching around 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Other hybrids in this group are outlined below.
Aquilegia longissima (Long-Spur Columbine) Grows best in zones 1-11 and 14-24. These plants are native to southwest Texas, southern Arizona, and northern Mexico and were discovered by Asa Gray. Gets 2.5 to 3 feet tall. Flowers are pale yellow with narrow drooping spurs. |
Aquilegia ottonis This native of Greece has naturalized in many areas of Europe, and produces blue-purple flowers. It is named after King Otto of Greece. |
Aquilegia sibirica This siberian-native Colombine species is a hardy perennial plant that does well in cooler climates. These plants reach between 1 and 2 feet tall and have lilac-blue and white flowers that bloom in spring and summertime. Extract from this plant has been shown to have anti-fungal properties. |
Aquilegia viridiflora (Green Columbine, Green-Flowered Columbine) This species is native to southern Siberia and northern China, and Japan. It is cultivated in gardens but can be considered a weed. These plants reach between 6 and 20 inches tall, and have dark brown to dark maroon colored flowers. There are a few varieties, including Aquilegia viridiflora atropurpurea (with purple flowers), Aquilegia viridiflora viridiflora (with yellow-green flowers), and cultivar 'Chocolate Soldier' (pictured; with chocolate brown flowers). |
Caring for Aquilegia
Plant your Aquilegia in partial shade to full sun. In warmer climates, Columbine appreciates some afternoon shade to protect its delicate leaves from harsh sunlight. Ensure that soil is well-draining before planting, and amend if this is not the case. Mulch around the base of the plant to suppress weed growth, retain soil moisture and moderate soil temperature. Columbines don't require fertilization to bloom well, but if soil is particularly poor, a balanced, water-soluble feed can be applied in springtime to support foliage and flower growth for the year.
Pruning Aquilegia is relatively straightforward; trim back foliage after flowering to promote fresh growth and to keep the plant looking its best. Remove any dead or damaged foliage throughout the growing season. Deadhead to encourage more blooms. These flowers do need to be divided every few years to rejuvenate the plants and ensure that each has enough soil space for their root system. Dividing should happen in early spring or fall, and divisions should be replanted in well-prepped soil. Some varieties due to their height and thin flower stems need staking to remain upright, especially when in bloom or in a windier section of the garden.
Pruning Aquilegia is relatively straightforward; trim back foliage after flowering to promote fresh growth and to keep the plant looking its best. Remove any dead or damaged foliage throughout the growing season. Deadhead to encourage more blooms. These flowers do need to be divided every few years to rejuvenate the plants and ensure that each has enough soil space for their root system. Dividing should happen in early spring or fall, and divisions should be replanted in well-prepped soil. Some varieties due to their height and thin flower stems need staking to remain upright, especially when in bloom or in a windier section of the garden.
Propagation
Aquilegia can be propagated either from seed or through division. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your plant, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Aquilegia by Seed
Propagating Aquilegia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Aquilegia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds by cutting them from the plant as they dry and become browned. Harvest as many as you can, and place them in a paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Aquilegia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided tubers about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.
Problems and Pests
Aquilegia plants are susceptible to the following pests and diseases:
- Downy Mildew
- Powdery Mildew
- Aphids
- Spider Mites
- Verticillium Wilt
Gallery
Videos
How to grow these beautiful flowering plants.
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Learn all about growing Columbine.
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All about Columbine flowers.
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How to grow Aquilegia (Columbine).
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 161 - 162, Aquilegia
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