Flower lovers, hummingbirds crazy for columbines
Columbines attract the attention of people and hummingbirds alike. Their unique and sassy flowers are like none other, and they add an old-fashioned charm to perennial borders or woodland gardens.
Columbines are part of the family botanically known as Aquilegia. The spurs of the flowers were thought to resemble the claws of the eagle - aquila in Latin - hence the genus name. There are many species in the Aquilegia family that range in size from a diminutive 6 inches to 2.5 feet tall. They also vary in color from white to yellow, pink to red, and blue to purple.
Regardless of species, columbines bloom for a month or more in spring or early summer and grow happily in well-drained soil rich with organic material. They also prefer a place in the garden that receives light shade and plenty of moisture. Many are drought tolerant, however, once established in the garden.
Columbines are generally short-lived, but freely self-seed their own replacements. Leafminers may attack columbines, leaving tan squiggly lines as they tunnel through leaves. As unsightly as their damage may be, they seldom require chemical intervention. Simply pinch off and destroy affected leaves if they bother you.
I think columbines look best planted in groups of at least three to five to complement spring-blooming perennials or late-blooming tulips. They are also lovely planted in a lightly shaded rock garden.
Here are some varieties you may want to add to your landscape this season.
Alpine Columbine
Aquilegia alpina, commonly called alpine columbine, is one of my favorites. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall. Blue, nodding flowers adorn the gray-green foliage. Plant alpine columbine among a bulb planting of late-blooming pink and white tulips - gorgeous!
Wild Columbine
Wild columbine, botanically known as Aquilegia canadensis, is a knockout in the garden. Native to eastern North America, it produces nodding, red and yellow flowers on plants growing up to two feet tall. Pink Lanterns is a newer, shorter cultivar with pink and creamy white flowers.
Golden Columbine
Aquilegia chrysantha, or golden columbine, is a tall grower reaching almost 3 feet tall. Spectacular in bloom, its bright yellow flowers are larger than some of its cousins. Plant this beauty with hearleaf brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla) or late-blooming white daffodils.
Fan Columbine
The leaves of Aquilegia flabellata, or fan columbine, are considerably bluer and thicker than other varieties. The plant is also more compact. Cameo Blue & White and Cameo Pink & White are miniature versions barely reaching 6 inches tall. Nana White boasts white flowers on 8- to 10-inch plants. Fan columbines are beautiful front-of-the-border perennials.
European Columbine
European columbines give us varieties with unusual deep purple and near black flowers. Black Barlow grows up to 30 inches tall; William Guinness stays a little shorter. Botanically called Aquilegia vulgaris, these columbines are good garden performers and may endure better than other varieties.
Columbine Hybrids
Columbines are free-loving plants that create offspring with abandon. Many garden worthy hybrids have been discovered as a result. Some of the more popular hybrids include Biedermeier (flowers in a mix of colors including blue, purple and white), Nora Barlow (double flowers of red and pink tinged with green), and Ruby Port (dark red, double flowers).
The Songbird series includes types boasting brilliant colors. Blue Jay is deep blue; Cardinal is rich red; Dove is pure white; Goldfinch is bright yellow; and Robin is soft pink with white.
Whether you plant columbines for yourself or for the returning hummingbirds, their dazzling flowers will delight you both - equally.
Diana Stoll is a master gardener and the retail manager at The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Rd., Winfield, IL. Phone 630-293-1040 x 2 or visit their Web site at www.planterspalette.com.