Columbine (Aquilegia) is an old-fashioned favorite in the garden. Its airy, long-spurred blooms resemble a circle of perched doves. It ranges in height from six inches to three feet, depending on species or cultivar, and blooms mid-spring to early summer in an array of colors, including pink, yellow, white and even purple. With more than 70 species now available, there's certainly one to take some space in your garden. Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9.
Planting Columbine
This versatile perennial flourishes in full sun to partial shade and prefers a rich, well-draining soil. To plant, dig a hole as deep as your container and three times as wide. If roots are pot bound, clip or score them with pruners and loosen them with your hands before placing the plant in the hole and surrounding it with soil.
Once your columbine has been planted, keep it well watered. Once the blooms are spent, cut them back. If you're lucky, you might get a second flush of blooms later in the season.
)
)
)
