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| Photo Credit: Amy Dee Stephens |
| Columbines have five round center petals with five pointed petals behind, creating a star shape. |
Looking for a gorgeous native perennial that works almost anywhere in the country? With its pretty leaves and showy flowers, columbine (Aquilegia sp.) is the cottage gardener’s best-kept secret!
This medium-sized plant (1-3 feet high) features upright shoots filled with pretty scalloped leaves that stay green from spring through fall. But that’s just the beginning. The real showstopper is the mass of dainty flowers that hover above the plant like a swarm of bees. Adding to its insect-like qualities are the trademark spurs that extend out behind the flower petals. These neat plant parts can be straight or coiled, but the overall effect (in my opinion) resembles a delicate winged insect. | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Amy Dee Stephens | | Mixed with ferns, columbine lends a woodland feel to the spring garden. |
Columbine flower colors vary greatly. Red, yellow, white, blue and purple are common hues, but the plant’s especially famous for its two-tone blooms. Each flower features five inner petals of one color and an outer layer of petals in another. Flowers start to appear in late spring and last about six weeks. When the blooms are spent, you can remove them or let them go to seed. And seed they will! The main plant only lasts about three years, but seedlings will keep your columbine growing in abundance for years to come (although plants don’t bloom their first year).
Unwanted sprouts are easy to remove and swap with neighbors. Be aware, however, that if you have several varieties in your garden, it’s anyone’s guess what colors you’ll end up with next year! Columbine hybridizes like crazy, which can be great fun or great frustration, depending on your preference. If you want a specific color, buy a started columbine to transplant – that way you’re guaranteed your preferred color – at least for one year. A quick note on seeds: Mature plants spend great energy on producing them, which reduces the energy available for the following year’s growth. To get the most out of your columbine, allow a spare plant to go to seed, but trim the rest of the flowering stalks as the blooms fade on the choice plants. This helps ensure big, healthy plants the next season.
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| Warnings |
- Although it was once used as an herbal remedy to treat stomach problems and mouth sores, as well as to repel lice, columbine’s tiny seeds can be toxic to children if ingested! Today it’s considered an unsafe treatment.
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| Facts |
- Red and yellow columbines are native to North America, while Europe and Asia are home to the blue and purple varieties. The one exception to the color rule: Blue bloomers are found naturally in the Rocky Mountains. (In fact, columbine is Colorado’s state flower.)
- Columbine (Aquilegia) goes by many nicknames, including “granny’s bonnet” (English), “Our Lady’s glove” (French) and “devil’s-bells” (German). The Latin word aquila means “eagle,” which is reputed to refer to the spurs that resemble an eagle’s claws.
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| Faqs |
- Q: Does this wildflower attract wildlife?
A: Columbine brings in the creatures! Regardless of color palate, the flowers’ spurs hold juicy nectar that’s just irresistible to honeybees, bumblebees and hawk moths. Hummingbirds – especially the ruby-throated hummingbird – prefer the red blooms! Leaf miners and aphids, however, can be a pest problem.
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| Resources |
- You can find more information on Aquilegia sp. in our Learn2Grow Plant Database.
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