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Aquilegia

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
a-kwi-LEE-jee-a
Description

Columbine is a  genus of 60–70 species of perennial plants in the hellebore family (Ranunculaceae) that are found in meadows, woodlands, and at higher altitudes throughout the Northern hemisphere. The genus name comes from Latin meaning eagle and refers to the spurred flowers that some say resemble eagle talons. They are fairly short-lived (2-3 years) but will spread by seed.

These plants grow 1/2-3 feet tall with thick rhizomatous roots. The basal leaves are compound and lobed with similar alternate stem leaves. The flowers generally appear in spring in various colors that attract hummingbirds and pollinators. They help fill the niche between early spring bulbs and summer-blooming plants.

This plant prefers well-drained moist average soil in part shade but will tolerate full sun if kept moist. It is intolerant of wet poorly drained soils. Use columbines in the border. meadow or naturalized settings, English gardens and pollinator or native gardens

There are now many hybrids available that were created with both North American and European species.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Will readily seed. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#hybrids#border planting#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#host plant#pollinator garden#part shade#groups#buncombe county sun and shade garden#cold tolerant#short lived#meadow#woodland#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#hybrids#border planting#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#host plant#pollinator garden#part shade#groups#buncombe county sun and shade garden#cold tolerant#short lived#meadow#woodland#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aquilegia
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America, Europe, Asia
    Distribution:
    Only one species, Aquilegia canadensis, is native to NC.
    Wildlife Value:
    Host plant to some Lepidoptera moths and butterflies
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Description:
    5-15 follicles containing many seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Spurred flowers are in terminal clusters and come in various colors and are often bicolored. Spurs vary in length. Blooms mid-spring into summer
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are ternately compound (divided into groups of 3 leaflets). Leaf size varies depending on the species. Leaflets are oval with deep rounded lobes, basal and alternate on the stem. Leaves are delicate looking and stay attractive during the season.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    English Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Short-lived