Aquilegia

Botanical/Latin
   Aquilegia

Pronunciation
   ack-wih-Lee-gee-ah

Common Name
   Columbine

Hardiness zone range
   3 - 7

General Comments
These universally beloved beauties are graceful plants that scarcely need to be described. Cherished by gardeners for centuries, the wide array of colors and types reflect the admiration and attention that has been put into developing what can only be described as one of the gardening world's most popular plants. Columbines are delightful plants with branched stems that carry delicate bell shaped flowers with spurs above clumps of bluish-green foliage in spring and early summer.

Uses
The attractive foliage and wide range of colors and bi-color combinations allows them to be used almost anywhere in the garden where the cultural requirements exist. Old fashioned and cottage style gardens are the places that immediately come to mind, although they look equally at home around a modern home, where the nodding flower heads gently wave and move in the breeze. They add color and grace to beds around doorways and ground floor windows and are particularly useful in beds on the shady side of tall buildings. A lightly shaded woodland garden is ideal; they naturalize well and often form colonies and drifts of valuable color. They make good cut flowers. The strong sturdy stems are easy to arrange, and they last quite well in water. Another useful feature is that deer seem to prefer other species usually leaving them untouched.

Light Preference
Partial Shade. Best in partial shade, Aquilegia will grow in sunny conditions providing they have fertile soil and ample moisture.

Culture
They grow best in loamy, well drained soil that retains moisture in dry weather. This can be enhanced by adding compost or other humus media at planting time and then mulching after planting. A regular light fertilization with a well balanced fertilizer applied in early spring also helps to keep them lush and vigorous. After flowering, cut back dead heads and any old leaves. This will encourage fresh growth and help to build strong and healthy crowns.

Background
The name comes from the Latin aquila (an eagle) because the spurs on the flowers were thought to resemble the claws of an eagle. The common name is from the Latin Columba (a dove or pigeon) because the flowers were resembled these birds in flight. Many plants offered are from hybrid strains; these have been bred and selected for their color combinations, heights and whether they have nodding or upright flowers.

Splendor Suggestions
Aquilegias tend to be rather short lived perennials so to maintain a good display over a long period of time, allow a few of your favorite ones to set seed. Be sure to remove the old flower heads from the less desirable ones. In this way, it is possible to control and select the seedlings to suit your taste and maintain a good display over a long period of time.

Companion Plants
The distinctive habit and attractive foliage is elegantly complimented when set in a silvery carpet of Lamium 'White Nancy' or the pink form Lamium 'Shell pink'. The pale pink flowers and low habit of the hardy Geranium 'Biokovo' will give a similar effect if a softer green ground cover is required. The pure white pendulous flowers and soft green foliage of Dicentra spectablis 'Alba' look great grouped with multiple colored forms of Aquilegia. If a smaller and successive flowering option is needed, try Dicentra 'Snowdrift' or Dicentra 'Aurora'.