Columbine

Available in a startling variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, columbines are hardy and care free.  Their nectar rich blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Their ability to cross pollinate freely means that it is entirely possible to have offspring that is unique in all the world to your own garden, and there are varieties to suit every taste. We have included a long list of columbines at the end of the article,  some are native and some are not. Most are recommended.

Most columbines flower in spring to early summer and they can be quite messy looking when they have concluded blooming. Most gardeners deadhead them, but if you leave them to their own devices they will self sow very freely without being problematic.

Most have blue-green to pale green foliage, often finely divided, and often quite handsome. The flowers are known for their distinctive spurs. The Latin name Aquilegia means eagle, referring to the resemblance of the floral spurs to eagle talons. The name columbine means “dove” and refers to the blossoms of some species, which when closely examined resemble a circle of doves.

Columbines are highly adaptable, but most want sun to partial shade and sharp drainage. In the case of the alpine species, sharp drainage is critical.

Columbines are widely available from garden centres and are quite easily grown from seed. They are generally ignored by deer and rabbits, and have few pest issues with the exception of the columbine worm. The columbine worm (Pristophora aquiligae) is a small green worm that matures into a kind of sawfly. In the larval stage, they are the exact same shade of green as the leaf and extremely difficult to spot. They eat the leaf from the outside in, leaving only the ribs. They can defoliate a plant overnight! They are closely related to currant worms (which are native here) but columbine worm was introduced from Europe.

Although columbines are the usual victims, related plants with similar foliage such as meadow-rue (Thalictrum) are also sometimes affected. Be on the watch for them and remove as necessary. Some people will cut plants back entirely and give them a shot of fertilizer. They will usually come back very strongly.

The columbine leaf miner is another insect that sometimes troubles columbine growers. It causes ugly, silver trails through the foliage but the damage it does is largely cosmetic. Infected leaves can be picked off and removed and this is usually all the control necessary.

There are about 65 species of columbine, and they grow in a variety of habitats. Moist places on the edges of woodlands are common habitat, and many of them also like to grow beside creeks and streams. Quite a few species grow high up in the mountains. Some are hardy and some are not; all are from the northern hemisphere and temperate climates.

Columbines are in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), and as such are related to clematis, delphiniums, meadowrue, and baneberries but curiously, their closest relatives are actually the monkshoods (Aconitum). Historically, columbines have been used to treat running sores and wounds that wouldn't heal. First Nations people were also known to eat the blossoms (said to be very sweet) but the leaves, roots, and seeds are very poisonous. Severe stomach distress and heart palpitations are the main symptoms of columbine poisoning, and fatalities have been known to occur.

Aquilegia alpina, Alpine columbine

From the mountains of western Europe, this popular species is very compact and grows 18-24”, with large royal blue to purple flowers in early summer. There is also a white flowered form of it.

Aquilegia atrata

From high altitudes in the Alps, this species grows 1-2 ft. tall and has purple-black flowers with yellow stamens. Interesting in a rock garden. Can be difficult to germinate.

Aquilegia brevistyla, small flowered columbine

Found in moist, wooded places throughout North America, this species grows 18-24” and has very small, blue and white flowers. We support growing native plants in our garden but this species to be both short lived and not very showy. 

Aquilegia buergeriana, Buerger’s columbine

A tiny, very early flowering species perfect for a rock garden. The flowers are wine-red with yellow stamens. ‘Calimero’ is a particularly vigorous selection of it.

Aquilegia caerulea, blue columbine

The state flower of Colorado, this species is sometimes cultivated. It has large, very blue and white flowers and grows 12-18” tall. Pink and white flowered forms exist, but they are largely inferior.

Aquilegia canadensis- Canada columbine

From western North America, this stunning species grows up to 3 ft. tall and has vivid scarlet flowers that are very showy. It is often grown in gardens. ‘Little Lanterns’ is a dwarf cultivar with reddish pink blooms.

Aquilegia chrysantha, yellow columbine

Grows up to 3 ft. tall with stunning light yellow blossoms and long spurs. ‘Yellow Queen’ is a particularly good selection of it.

Aquilegia discolor

A rare and highly coveted species from the mountains of Spain. Peculiar grey-green leaves with gorgeous pale blue, white marked flowers. Only grows about 4” tall. A true alpine gem!

Aquilegia flabellata, Japanese columbine, fan columbine

A very compact, tidy little plant with large, dramatically down-facing flowers that can be either blue or white. The parent to a whole tide of hybrids, the best known of which are ‘Cameo’ and ‘Origami’, fan columbines are profuse bloomers and only grow about 12-14” tall, making them perfect for small gardens. This species are resistant to leaf miner.

Aquilegia flavescens, yellow columbine

Growing about 2 ft. tall and very common throughout the Rockies, yellow columbine likes high altitudes and moist, well drained soil. It is often found near creeks and streams and is occasionally cultivated; it is hard to keep in gardens due to its preference for cool temperatures but the luminous, soft lemon yellow flowers are graceful and absolutely stunning. It is worth trying.

Aquilegia formosa, beautiful columbine

From western North America, and often confused with A. canadensis, which it is known to hybridize with. This species has spectacular coral red to pink or scarlet blooms that are somewhat larger than A. formosa. It flowers profusely and often grows in large quantities where conditions suit it.

Aquilegia fragrans, scented columbine

From Kashmir and the Himalayas, this lovely plant grows 2-3 ft. tall and has large, sweetly scented, creamy white flowers. Perhaps more remarkable than the scent of the blooms is the apple-like fragrance of the blue-green leaves.

Aquilegia grahamii, Graham’s columbine

Endemic to eastern Utah and cherished by collectors, this very difficult to grow species has gorgeous red and white blooms.

Aquilegia jonesii, Jones’s columbine

An absolutely astonishing species found in the Rockies from Montana to Colorado. It only just (just) makes it into Canada and has only been recorded on one mountain in Waterton Lakes National Park. The plant itself grows about 3” tall, but it has the largest flowers relative to size of any species. The flowers occupy about 2” of the 3” height. It is a remarkable plant in all ways, and the holy grail of both wildflower enthusiasts and alpine gardeners. Exceedingly difficult under garden conditions, even the Denver Botanic Garden has had difficulty keeping it alive. It requires very sharp drainage, cool temperatures, and a very short growing season in order to do well.

Aquilegia laramiensis, Laramie columbine

Another much coveted species for collectors, endemic to Wyoming. It is low growing and the flowers are white.

Aquilegia longissima, long spurred columbine

Absolutely stunning. Native to the mountains of Arizona, this gorgeous plant blooms all summer. The flowers are yellow with very long spurs and they are sweetly scented. The foliage is finely divided and almost fern-like. Much cultivated, and much used in breeding new hybrids.

Aquilegia rockii

A rare species from China and the Himalayas. Growing 1-2 ft. tall, this stunning and easy to grow species has large, deep lilac flowers and lavender purple stems.  

Aquilegia saximontana

From Colorado and Utah this species has gorgeous pale blue and yellow flowers. It is difficult to germinate but much cultivated by enthusiasts.

Aquilegia shockleyi, desert columbine, Shockley’s columbine

Although for many years considered to be its own species, it has now been proven that this is actually a variety of A. formosa. From California and Nevada, it resembles A. formosa but the leaves have a decidedly grey cast and the flowers are a bit more starry. It grows along seeps and near springs, being able to tolerate flash flooding and poor drainage. As soon as moisture disappears, it usually goes dormant. A very pretty and easily grown species.

Aquilegia siberica, Siberian columbine

Lovely soft blue and white flowers, but so closely resembles A. flabellata that there really isn’t much need to grow both of them.

Aquilegia skinnerii, Skinner’s columbine

Rarely cultivated, but worthy of much wider recognition, this species is from New Mexico. It has yellow flowers with showy red spurs and does best in a warm, sunny spot. 2 ft.

Aquilegia stellata, starry columbine

Unusual, spurless flowers that are a rich maroon-red in color, though I don’t know that I would call them “starry”. 2-3 ft.

Aquilegia viridiflora, green columbine

A rare Siberian species with dark purple to nearly black flowers and greenish nectaries. ‘Chocolate Soldier’ is a selected form of it that is supposed to be heavy blooming and sweetly scented of chocolate. There is only the faintest hint of scent from this plant, and it is debatable if it smells like chocolate. While it is interesting, it isn’t especially showy. 

Aquilegia vulgaris, common columbine

Very common throughout much of Europe and cold parts of Asia, this species is the parent of countless hybrids. Growing well in sun or shade, it is highly adaptable but has a preference for moisture and chalky soil. Sometimes called “granny’s bonnets”, the pendant blooms are highly variable and range from blue through purple to rose or white. There are also a good many cultivars to choose from. ‘Magpie’ is a particularly interesting black and white flowered form. ‘Woodside’ has heavily golden variegated foliage.

The ‘Barlow’ series is also extremely popular. These are spurless, fully double columbines. ‘Nora Barlow’ is a dirty reddish pink, ‘Christa Barlow’ is blue-purple, and ‘Black Barlow’ is dark purple. ‘Ruby Port’ is dark red. These double flowered forms are sometimes called clematis flowered varieties (Aquilegia x clematiflora) and also includes ‘Green Apples’ (also called ‘Lime Sorbet’) with pale greenish, double green blooms and ‘Strawberry Ice Cream’, with reddish-pink blooms. These double blossoms are largely useless to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds as they have sacrificed nectar and pollen in the name of extra petals. 

Aquilegia yabeana

A very showy Japanese species growing 2-3 ft. tall with inky, dark purple flowers all summer. Deserves to be more widely grown.

Hybrid Colombines

A number of excellent hybrid cultivars are available, and although they rarely breed true from seed, their offspring are sometimes very interesting. Some favorites include:

‘Crimson Star’- Popular for decades. Grows 2-3 ft. tall with huge red and white blooms. Profuse bloomer. Showy.

‘Dragonfly’- 18-24” tall. Extremely compact and flowering over a long period, this series has blossoms in shades of white, red, yellow, blue, rose, pink, and purple. The spurs are extra long, and they are profuse blooming as well as heat and disease resistant.

‘Firewheel’- 2 ft. Heavy blooming variety with large, almost shimmery, dark pinkish red blooms.

‘McKana Giants’- Available at probably every garden center in North America, the McKana columbines come in a nice array of colors, grow 2-3 ft. tall, and flower profusely. They also have pretty long spurs. Unfortunately, they have poor heat resistance and are very prone to powdery mildew. ‘Dragonfly’ is a better choice by far.

‘Roman Bronze’- Perhaps best described as unusual. Growing 2-3 ft. tall, it has gorgeous foliage that emerges yellow and ages to a deep, coppery orange. The flowers are deep violet and totally inappropriate with the foliage but somehow, it works.

‘Songbird’ Series- A real favourite. Fast growing and reaching 3 ft., they are extremely long blooming and also flower very profusely. The flowers are huge with long spurs and come in a variety of colors. It is the most heat and drought resistant columbine on the list, but they will be better with adequate moisture and good soil. There are seven varieties, and all are worth having. ‘Bluebird’ and ‘Bunting’ have both received the RHS award of merit. ‘Bluebird’ is a rich blue, ‘Bluejay’ is a purple-blue, ‘Goldfinch’ is yellow, ‘Robin’ is deep pink, ‘Dove’ is white, ‘Bunting’ is ivory, and ‘Cardinal’ is rich red.  ‘Songbird Cardinal’ resembles ‘Crimson Star’ but the flowers are larger and the plants are more compact. It also flowers longer.

‘Sunburst Ruby’- Another strange variety, this beauty has brassy gold foliage and very showy, ruby-garnet flowers. It should have a bit of shade from the hot afternoon sun as the leaves are prone to scorching. 2-3 ft. 

Finally, we close with a species that has only recently been named as a columbine. For years isolated in its own genus, Semiaquilegia ecalcarata has now been recognized as a true species of columbine, thanks to DNA analysis. Growing 8-18” tall and sometimes known as false columbine, this plant is native to open woodlands and clearings in central China. It has brilliant magenta to violet flowers that nod gracefully, and in all ways resemble a columbine but are completely without spurs. The fine, lacy foliage is also quite distinctive. The fact that it absolutely refuses to hybridize with any other species and lacks spurs, as well as being confined to an area where other species of columbine are not known, were large factors in it being identified as its own genus. Now we know that although it is unique, it is in fact, a columbine. Best in moist soil in partial shade, false columbine is gorgeous when it flowers in early summer but often goes dormant. It is short lived, and should be allowed to self sow.