Aquilegia (Columbine)

Claudia Parrott
November 8, 2023

Pronunciation: “Aquilegia” is pronounced as ah-kwi-LEE-jee-uh

Appearance and Characteristics

Aquilegia Columbine, with its common names such as Granny’s Bonnet, is known for its unique and delicate floral appearance:

Flowers: The flowers of Aquilegia are quite distinctive, often characterized by their spurred petals. These spurs project backward from the petals and are a defining characteristic of the genus. The flowers come in a variety of colors, including blue, violet, pink, and white. They have a nodding habit, with the blooms hanging downward, which gives rise to another common name, Granny’s Bonnet, as they resemble the shape of an old-fashioned bonnet.
Leaves: Aquilegia plants have biternate to ternate leaves, which means each leaf is divided into three sections, with each section further subdivided. This gives the foliage a delicate, lacy appearance that complements the softness of the flowers.
Height and Form: These perennials form bushy, clump-forming mounds that can add texture and volume to garden beds. They generally grow to heights ranging from 15 to 90 centimeters (6 inches to 3 feet), depending on the species and growing conditions.
Growth Habit: Aquilegia plants have a mound-forming growth habit, with thin, leafy stems that rise gracefully above the foliage. They often create a natural, meadow-like feel in the garden due to their airy structure.
Habitat and Adaptability: Native to meadows and woodlands, Columbines are well-adapted to a range of environments, from full sun to partial shade, and they are often found in temperate regions. They can grow at higher altitudes and have a certain ruggedness to them, thriving in areas where many other ornamental plants might not.

General Requirements
Botanical Name	Anthemis
Family	Asteraceae
Hardiness Zones	3 (USDA)
Plant Type	Perennial
Mature Size	H: 1 - 3' S: 1 - 3'
Light Requirements	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Early, Mid)

Planting and Care

Planting and caring for Aquilegia Columbine involves the following:

Sunlight: Columbines can grow in full sun or light shade, although they thrive best with some protection from the hot afternoon sun.
Soil: They are adaptable to various soil conditions but prefer well-draining soil with average fertility.
Planting: Seeds can be sown directly into the ground in fall or after the last spring frost. Indoors, seeds should be started 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Press the seeds into the soil without covering them. Space mature plants 1 to 2 feet apart.
Watering: Overwatering should be avoided to prevent root rot.
Maintenance: Deadheading, or removing faded flowers, encourages new buds to develop and can extend the blooming season. After blooming, allow the plants to self-seed for volunteer seedlings the following year.
Winter Care: Columbine plants die back to the ground during dormancy, and it’s advisable to cut back the foliage in the fall. Mulching before the ground freezes can help protect the roots

Perfect Settings for Growth

For the perfect setting for growth, Columbines do well in environments that mimic their natural woodland or alpine habitats, with cool, moist conditions and good air circulation. They can be excellent additions to shaded borders, woodland gardens, or rock gardens where they can receive dappled sunlight.

Potential Challenges

Aquilegia Columbine can face several challenges that gardeners should be aware of:

Root Rot: Overly moist conditions can lead to root rot, characterized by blackened and softened roots. Good drainage and careful watering are crucial to prevent this.
Gray Mold: This fungus causes gray or brown spots on the flowers and can spread quickly, potentially killing the plant if left untreated.
Leaf Spots: Caused by fungi or bacteria, leaf spots can lead to discoloration or wilting of the leaves
Nutritional Deficiencies: Yellowing leaves can indicate a lack of essential nutrients such as magnesium, iron, sulfur, potassium, or nitrogen. Each deficiency has specific symptoms and should be addressed accordingly.
Sunburn: Columbine leaves may turn yellow or brown if exposed to too much direct sunlight. They should not be left in direct sunlight if these symptoms appear.
Wilting: Underwatering can cause leaves to droop or wilt. It’s important to maintain a consistent watering schedule without overdoing it.

Noteworthy Species and Cultivars

There are ~60 species of Aquilegia

A. vulgaris (Common Columbine): This perennial plant can grow up to 36 inches, with leaves divided into three groups of three leaflets, and flowers in various shades that hang pendent or horizontal.

A. vulgaris var. stellata (Double-flowered Columbine): It forms clumps and grows with stiff, branching stems bearing spurless flowers. The flowers are almost spherical and fully double, appearing in late spring and early summer.

A. vulgaris var. stellata ‘Nora Barlow’
A. vulgaris var. stellata ‘Black Barlow’

A. flabellata (Fan-Leaved Columbine): Also known as dwarf columbine, it grows to 8–12 inches in height and produces pale blue to lavender flowers in early summer.

A. canadensis (Canadian Columbine): It has lobed leaves grouped in threes, and its flowers are 1–2 inches long with red spurs and yellow petals, appearing in late spring

Conclusion

Natural Dye: The species name ‘tinctoria’ is derived from the Latin word for dyeing. Historically, the flowers of ‘Golden Marguerite’ were used to produce a yellow dye for fabrics.

Renaissance Art: The flowers of the Anthemis genus are sometimes depicted in Renaissance paintings, not just for their beauty but also as symbols of simplicity and virtue.

Rapid Growth: This plant can grow quite quickly, which is a delight for gardeners who want to see their garden fill out swiftly.