analysis: landscaping (perennial flowers) –    Columbine

What to know about columbine flower –

Notes:

• About Columbine:

  The common name “columbine” comes from the Latin for “dove”, due to the resemblance of the inverted flower to five doves clustered together. These flowers hold many seeds that are pollinated by hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.

• Columbine is a hardy perennial, which propagates by seed. It will grow to a height of 15 to 20 inches. It will grow in full sun; however, it prefers growing in partial shade and well drained soil, and is able to tolerate average soils and dry soil conditions.
• The botanical name of the plant is Aquilegia that has varying species that bloom in the spring and summer. The blooms don’t last very long without some pruning. The propograte mostyly by seed.
• REFERENCE: information from wikipedia
  INFO: Fun Facts About the Colorado State Flower
• INFO: columbine: the forest wildflower
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• Where to Grow Columbine:

  Columbine are wildflowers that can grow just about anywhere and under varying conditions. But they do best is cooler, temperate climates. They are a spring-time perennial that provides a beautiful assorment of delicate flowers that are often multi-colored that dot mountain sides, woods, and gardens. They bloom in white, red, yellow, blue, pink, lavender, or a combination of these shades.

• Columbines typically grow 1-3 feet high and with a plant spam of about 1-2 feet. They grow best in full sun with some partial shade that will give your garden a compact group of flowering plants. They will also grow is shady conditions but with less flowering. Most species of columbine live for approximately 2-3 years, but they proprogate easily from seed.
• INFO: How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Columbine Flowers
  INFO: how to grow columbine
• IMAGES: columbine flowers
  IMAGES: columbine in forest and woods
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• Garden Planning With Climbing Clematis:

  Columbine is a spring/summer perennial that grows best in sunny locations with loamy, well drained soil. They can propogate quickly and will take up the entire garden through seeding. But they can be easily managed and trimmed to all growth of other summer flowers.

• They grow best in temperate climates under full sun; in hot summer climates, it’s best to plant columbine where they get full sun in the morning and partial shade from the hot sun in the afternoon. The plant can get foilage burn if exposed to hot summer sun.
• Columbine can grow to 1-3 feet or more, so best to plant them as a background perennial that can be trimmed back after flowering.
• IMAGES: garden planning using columbine
  IMAGES: columbine in containers
• INFO: types of columbine flowers
  INFO: plant combination ideas for columbine
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• Care and Pruning Columbine:

  Columbine are not a long lasting bloom; So deadheading can help extend additional bloom into summer. After the season growth and into the late summer and fall, it best to cut back the stems to the ground. In colder climates, add some mulch as a covering to protect the plant during with winter.

• Some experts recommend light pruning the early growth when it starts to emerge from the ground in the early spring. This light pruning will encourage the columbine to branch and produce more dense foliage growth.
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• INFO: when to prune columbine
  INFO: Common Columbine Pests
• YOUTUBE: Aquilegia (columbine) – cutting back after flowering
  YOUTUBE: How to Grow Columbine
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• Harvesting Clematis:

  Columbing is a perennial wildflower that can be harvested as follows:

  • Floral Cuttings:

    columbine can be cut and used as a flower display:
    [view how]

  • Seed:

    you can harvest seed from columbine that can be grown in another season:
    [view how]

  • Medicinal:

    there are some medicinal uses of columbine that was used historically by the American Indians; and some uses today. But columine is toxic and should be administered carefully:
    [view more]

  • Edible Or Not:

    some parts have been used in salads – but the plant is overall poisonous – best to avoid:
    [view more]

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• YOUTUBE: medicinal and edible plant – columbine
  YOUTUBE: Following Columbine From Seed
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• Columbine Summary:

  Light:  full sun, partial sun
  Soil:  any, best in loamy soil
  Height:  1-3 feet; 8-20 feet; 20 feet or more depending on variety
  Width:  1-2 feet
  Flower:  blue, red, pink, purple, orange, white, yellow
  Foliage:  bluish green
  Season:  spring, summer
  Features:  low maintenance, good for containers, attracts birds and bees
  Propagation:  seed
  Zones:  3,4,5,6,7,8,9
  INFO: view growing zones
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