Create Your Garden

Aquilegia ecalcarata (False Columbine)

False Columbine, Semiaquilegia simulatrix, Semiaquilegia ecalcarata

AGM Award
Aquilegia ecalcarata, False Columbine, Semiaquilegia simulatrix, Semiaquilegia ecalcarata, Wild Columbine, Purple Aquilegia

Award-winning Aquilegia ecalcarata (False Columbine), is a charming herbaceous perennial with upright slender stems boasting loose panicles of nodding, bell-shaped, pink and purple flowers in mid-spring to early summer. Unlike other Aquilegias, the delicate blossoms are spurless. They rise gracefully above the foliage mound of narrow, lobed green leaves, often flushed with purple. False Columbine is short-lived but will self-seed in the garden in satisfactory growing conditions. Native to open woodlands in China, False Columbine is a good choice for the rock garden,  the front of a border or a bright woodland.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities.
  • Grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 8-12 in. wide (20-30 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Will tolerate full sun in cool summer areas.
  • Easy to grow, False Columbine is a welcomed addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens and can be used as a garden edging plant.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Propagate by seed. As this plant is relatively short-lived, allow to self-seed freely or collect seed and sow in autumn.
  • Native to nearly all of China.

Columbine: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for columbine like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking plants

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Aquilegia
Common names Columbine
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early)
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)
Spacing 8" - 12" (20cm - 30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Not sure which Aquilegia (Columbine) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Aquilegia Songbird ‘Nightingale’ (Columbine)
Aquilegia coerulea Kirigami Rose & Pink (Columbine)
Aquilegia coerulea Kirigami Yellow (Columbine)
Aquilegia coerulea Kirigami Light Blue & White (Columbine)
Aquilegia Songbird ‘Goldfinch’ (Columbine)
Aquilegia Songbird ‘Robin’ (Columbine)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

50 Blue Wildflowers for Every Garden
50 Yellow Wildflowers: Adding Cheer to Your Garden
50 Colorado Wildflowers to Know and Love
50 Texas Wildflowers to Brighten Your Garden
Top 50 Most Beautiful Flowers Worldwide
Stunning Blue Flowers to Enhance Your Garden’s Beauty
42 Best Perennial Flowers and Plants to Brighten Your Garden Every Season
30 Great Perennials for Shade
30 Best Spring Flowers to Spruce up Your Garden
20 Spring Wildflowers to Create a Dazzling Garden
Hummingbird
Aquilegia (Columbine)
50 Native Wildflowers for North Carolina
Great Bulbs and Perennials as Companion Plants for Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Columbine: How to Grow and Care with Success
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Aquilegia
Common names Columbine
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early)
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)
Spacing 8" - 12" (20cm - 30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Not sure which Aquilegia (Columbine) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Aquilegia ecalcarata (False Columbine) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Aquilegia ecalcarata (False Columbine) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone