Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

Columbine Plant Features

The delightful, nodding flowers of columbine pop into bloom in early spring and keep flowering until mid-summer. A rugged perennial, columbine is an American native that thrives in partial to full shade. For a woodland plant, columbine is surprisingly drought resistant and tolerant of a wide range of soil types. In addition, hummingbirds love the nectar-rich flowers which come in a variety of colors and bi-colors. Columbine grows 12 to 18 inches tall. Hardy from zones 3-8.

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Plant columbine in a shaded or partially shaded location and mulch to maintain consistent soil moisture. Although columbine will handle drought, they still prefer a slightly moist garden bed. Columbine also works well in containers mixed with other woodland bloomers. Columbine is a relatively short-lived perennial so add new plants every few years for a consistent flower show. Some older varieties do self-sow, but newer hybrids generally won't spread in your garden.

Columbine is not intended for human or animal consumption.

Water

Medium water needs
Light

Outside: Part sun

Outside: Shade
Colors

Blue

Pink

White

Yellow
Special Features

Attracts hummingbirds

Deer/rabbit resistant

Complement your Plant

Bleeding Heart

Enjoy a spring flower festival by teaming bleeding heart with columbine in a shady border or container.

Our favorite varieties

Bluebird Columbine

Aquilegia 'Bluebird'

Unlike older forms of columbine, the bicolor white-and-pale blue flowers of ‘Bluebird’ face upward so you can enjoy them better. The flowers are 3 inches in diameter.

Cameo Columbine

Aquilegia 'Cameo'

The nectar-filled, blue-and-white flowers of ‘Cameo’ columbine are prized by hummingbirds and butterflies. It’s a compact variety that grows 18 inches tall.

Clementine Dark Purple Columbine

Aquilegia 'Clementine Dark Purple'

Columbine ‘Clementine Dark Purple’ shows off upward-facing, double, purple flowers with yellow centers. The rounded blooms resemble clematis. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall.

Clementine Red Columbine

Aquilegia 'Clementine Red'

Fill your garden with the rosy-red, upward-facing flowers of ‘Clementine Red’ columbine. The double flowers will attract lots of hummingbirds to your yard. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall.

Clementine Salmon Rose Columbine

Aquilegia 'Clementine Salmon Rose'

The upward-facing, clematis-like blooms of ‘Clementine Salmon Rose’ columbine make an outstanding addition to beds, borders, or containers. The flowers are pale pink to salmon. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall.

Dwarf White Fan Columbine

Aquilegia flabellata 'Nana Alba'

Growing just 6 to 8 inches tall, dwarf white fan columbine is perfect the border edge or containers. The pure white blooms are produced on pretty blue-green foliage.

Little Lanterns Columbine

Aquilegia 'Little Lanterns'

A North-American native columbine, ‘Little Lanterns’ bears pendulous red-and-yellow flowers on a 12-inch-tall plant. Let it naturalize in a woodland or shade garden for best effect.

Songbird Cardinal Columbine

Aquilegia 'Songbird Cardinal'

Upward-facing, red-and-white blooms appear on ‘Songbird Cardinal’ columbine from mid-spring through early summer. It makes an excellent cut flower.

Winky Double Blue and White Columbine

Aquilegia 'Winky Double Blue and White'

The fully double, carnation like flowers of ‘Winky Double Blue and White’ columbine are an outstanding addition to the spring border. They make terrific cut flowers, too. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall.

Winky Double Red and White Columbine

Aquilegia 'Winky Double Red and White'

The showy, red-and-white double flowers of ‘Winky Double Red and White’ columbine are a delightful addition to any shaded or partially shaded spot. These easy-care plants grow 12 to 18 inches tall.