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Plainview Farm :: Perennials :: Achillea-Aquilegia :: Aquilegia
Aquilegia | ack-wa-LEE-gha | Columbine
Columbine is one of our most prized American natives. The rainbow of colors, the distinctive flower forms and the variable heights of columbine endow them with enough versatility to satisfy the most persnickety garden design. In the early summer, subtle color is a pleasurable sight in the partially-shaded glen. Although they will grow well in the sun, we think that the colors look better in dappled light. Plus, a consistently moist soil is essential to success. They self-seed and intermarriage is common. Remove seedlings, if you want your plants to remain true to name. Otherwise, they may be overtaken by their offspring. Which may be fine with you. After flowering ends in early July, aquilegia should be cut back, as fresh, new foliage will quickly appear. This may also be the time that the columbine sawfly attacks, leaving your plant stripped of foliage within the day. Not pleasant, but not lethal, either. Soon, new leaves will appear. Expect a clump of aquilegia to reach 18-24 inches in diameter.
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