Aquilegia
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-kwi-LEE-jee-a
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Description:
- 5-15 follicles containing many seeds
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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
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
