Another wonderful plant from my grandmother - she keeps me well in stock! This little guy hasn't produced any flowers - but I am hoping he manages to do so this year. He is already growing quite quickly this early in the spring.
How to Grow and Care for Columbine Flowers - from the Gardener's Network
Perennial, Aquilegia hybrida
Columbine is an easy to grow perennial. Columbine is native to Asia, Europe and North America. If you are a hummingbird lover, Columbine is for you. It is a favorite of hummingbirds and bees because the flowers contain lots of nectar.
Columbines produce large, showy blooms of single and bicolor patterns on airy plants with blue-green foliage from late spring to early summer. Colors include shades of yellow, white, pink, blue, purple and combinations.
Did you Know? Columbine is the state flower of Colorado. They are also called the "Rocky Mountain Columbine".
Propagation:
Columbine are grown from seed. They can be directly seeded into your flower garden.
Sow Columbine seeds in the spring, and cover with 1/8" soil. Space seeds or seedlings 16-18" apart.
If you have established plants, Columbine can also be separated by division in the spring.
How to Grow Columbine Flower Plants:
Columbine are very easy to grow. They grow well in partial shade and well drained soil. They will do well in average soils and tolerate dry soil conditions. Add a general purpose fertilizer once or twice a season.
Columbine grows 15-20", and are good in flowerbeds, containers, as edging, and in rock gardens.
Once your Columbine are established, they will grow well and bloom until frost. Being very hardy, they will likely survive the first light frosts before going dormant for the winter. They do not require mulching or protection in the winter.
Insect and Disease:
Columbine are resistant to insects and disease. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.
(Image of a blooming Columbine Flower - not mine, but at least an idea of what it is supposed to look like when it decides to bloom)
No comments:
Post a Comment