Aquilegia alpina (Alpine Columbine)
Alpine Columbine, Aquilegia Montana, Mountain Columbine, Alpine Monk's Head Lily
Native to Europe's high meadows and mountain slopes of the Alps, Aquilegia Alpina, commonly known as Alpine Columbine, is a compact species with charming, bright violet-blue, bonnet-shaped, nodding flowers (2-3 in. wide; 5-7 cm), which rise elegantly on slender stems above a lovely fern-like, blue-green foliage. Blooming for 4-6 weeks in late spring to early summer, this perennial might re-bloom in the fall. It is perfect for adding color to the shade garden!
- Grows in a bushy, upright clump, up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm). This perennial is generally short-lived but will self-seed prolifically to form large colonies in satisfactory growing conditions.
- Performs best in full sun to part shade, in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Seriously dislikes poorly drained soils! Rich, moist soils in part shade are preferred. Do not let the soil dry out.
- Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, but is ignored by rabbits and deer!
- Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to beds, borders, cottage gardens, shade gardens or naturalized areas.
- Susceptible to leaf miner.
- May be grown from seed sown directly in the garden in spring (after danger of frost has passed).
- Remove faded flowering stems to promote additional bloom. Cut to the ground when the foliage declines (around midsummer).
- Contact with the sap may irritate the skin
Aquilegia is a genus of clump-forming, short-lived perennials noted for their late spring to midsummer blooms of single or double, short-spurred or spurless flowers, in a variety of colors ranging from blue to violet to white to pink to red. A classic element of herbaceous borders, Columbines mix beautifully with peonies, irises, alliums and roses.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 7 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Aquilegia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 7 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Aquilegia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |