How to Grow Columbine

Aquilegia Germination Information

Aquilegia is the botanical name for Columbine
How to Sow Aquilegia:

• Sow seeds indoors at a temperature of 68-70°, with no covering
• Expect germination in 15-20 days
• Seeds can also be sown outdoors after danger of frost is passed
• Sow anytime from spring through summer, up to two months before first frost. Sowing in early spring is the best time
• Outdoors, germination is in 21-25 days
• When sowing seed outdoors, we recommend a maximum planting depth of 4X the width of the seed

How to Grow Aquilegia:
Spacing:  Space 1-2 feet apart in light shade

Soil: Site in a rich, moist, well-drained soil. Keep well watered and feed monthly

Temperature:  These plants will be tolerant of full sun as long as adequate moisture is provided; they will not tolerate sunny, hot, dry conditions and they prefer climates with cool summers

Transplant: Do not transplant as they resent being disturbed but if need to transplant, do so when there are at least two sets of true leaves

Appearance and Use:

These denizens of borders and rock gardens also render interesting flowers for fresh cut use. The unique, 11/2 -4 inch long, red, pink, yellow, blue, lavender, or white flowers are reminiscent of hoop skirts, but with spurs extending behind them. Flowers are solid or bicolored and appear in May and June. Plant habit is an upright clump from 1-3 feet tall. T he dainty, blue-green foliage is deeply lobed. Contact with the plant’s sap may cause a skin irritation

About Aquilegia:
Pronunciation:  ak-wi-le’ji-å
Lifecycle:  Perennial
Origination: Ranunculaceae, native to the northern hemisphere
Common Name: Columbine