Gardeners are always looking for great plants to add to their gardens and columbine is an excellent choice, especially for shade or woodland-type gardens.
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) is native to the Thunder Bay District. It can be found growing in many areas, including the forest. It is an early bloomer, sporting an orange flower. In the garden, it is an easy-to-grow perennial that offers seasonal interest throughout much of the year.
Nursery-grown columbines are now available in many colourful hybrids, including those with double and/or multi-coloured flowers. It is among the first of the perennials to bloom in the spring, offering an early source of nectar for pollinators such as bees, and hummingbirds love the bell-shaped flowers. The blooms range in colour from light pastels to bright yellow, red, orange and purple selections. It has attractive dark-green lacey foliage that turns to a maroon colour in the late summer. It is a delicate looking plant that also works well in cut-flower arrangements, adding great interest and light lacey texture.
Columbine is easily adaptable to most garden sites and soils. It can be planted in full sun, partial shade or under light cover in a woodland garden. It likes the soil to be fertile and well draining, but not too dry. Newly planted columbines need to be watered regularly until they are well established and once established supplemental watering may be only necessary in the dry spells during the hot summer months. Stress or drought will cause the leaves to change colour, to maroon, prematurely reducing the plant’s ability to produce energy for the next season’s growth and blooms. Regular fertilizing is very helpful in producing a heartier plant with brighter blooms and thicker foliage. Provide a water soluble fertilizer monthly. Gardening Guru Tip: I also ensure a generous sprinkling of bone meal around each plant in the early spring and fall to help boost the plant for the upcoming growing season and to ensure winter survival.
When in the blooming phase, cutting off spent flowers (deadheading) can encourage additional blooming.
Although most references just list powdery mildew and leaf miner as the only pests, I say that columbine has three common pests. I find that in my garden the deer love columbine and will eat it before the Hostas planted right next to them. Many “deer resistant” plant lists will name columbine as being deer resistant, but from my experience, I say it is not true.
Whether you buy an established plant from the nursery or plant directly in your garden from seeds, I encourage you to try some columbine hybrids. They are very versatile and can be used as a backdrop or screen (the taller varieties) or the dwarf varieties in the front of the garden as a lovely border. No matter which variety you choose, the columbine does offer an early food source for hummingbirds and bees. A great perennial with many great attributes, there is no reason why you shouldn’t try it in your garden.
