Aquilegia Earlybird Purple Blue (Columbine)
Columbine Earlybird Purple Blue, Granny's Bonnet Earlybird Purple Blue, Monk's Head Lily Earlybird Purple Blue
Prized for its vibrant colors and neatly mounded habit, Aquilegia Earlybird Purple Blue (Columbine) is a compact perennial boasting a profusion of long-spurred, bright purple and sky blue flowers. Blooming profusely in late spring to early summer, the blossoms are borne on relatively short stems and rise elegantly above the lacy, deeply-cut foliage. Noted for its controlled habit, this columbine is generally short-lived but will self-seed in the landscape in satisfactory growing conditions. Excellent for both the landscape and containers. As an added bonus, the flowers will last well in cut arrangements.
- Grows up to 9-12 in. tall and wide (22-30 cm).
- Performs best in full sun to part shade, in loose, average to rich, moist, well-drained soils. Seriously dislikes poorly drained soils! Rich, moist soils in part shade are preferred.
- Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, but it is deer and rabbit resistant.
- Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to beds, borders, cottage gardens, shade gardens or containers. Excellent cut flowers lasting up to 2 weeks in a vase.
- Removing spent flowers will increase the blooming time.
- Subject to fungal diseases, borers, leaf miners, and aphids.
- Propagate by sowing named seed rather than by division. Mature plants do not like to be disturbed.
- Remove faded flowering stems to promote additional bloom. Cut to the ground when the foliage declines in the fall.
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 | 3
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Aquilegia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 9" – 1' (22cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 9" – 1' (22cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 9" – 12" (22cm – 30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
Ball Horticultural Inc
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 | 3
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Aquilegia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 9" – 1' (22cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 9" – 1' (22cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 9" – 12" (22cm – 30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |