Columbine

About Columbine

Columbines are spring perennials with nodding, spurred flowers held over lacy blue-green leaves. Native eastern red columbine (A. canadensis), red and yellow with nectar-filled spurs, is a key food for ruby-throated hummingbirds returning in spring (Wisconsin Extension); the U.S. Forest Service notes that red columbines evolved sweeter nectar to fuel hummingbirds. Plants are short-lived, often only a few years, but they self-sow and different kinds cross freely.

Most columbines are hardy in zones 3-8 (NC State); eastern red columbine grows in zones 2-9 (Wisconsin Extension). The U.S. Forest Service asks gardeners near wild stands of native columbine to avoid planting non-native kinds, which can cross with them.

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

Sow seed outdoors in fall, or give it a cold, moist treatment before sowing indoors; it sprouts in about 3-4 weeks (Wisconsin Extension). Seedlings usually bloom their second year (NC State). Species come true from seed, but hybrids and mixed plantings give variable seedlings (Iowa State).

Soil

Rich, moist, well-drained soil; columbines dislike soggy or compacted ground and aren't very drought-tolerant, though eastern red columbine handles dry spells better (Iowa State; NC State).

Improve the bed with compost so the soil is rich, moist and well drained (Iowa State). Follow a soil test.

Feeding

• spring, as the leaves come up: all-purpose fertilizer. Iowa State feeds columbine once as the foliage emerges; follow the label rate and water it in.
• when flower buds form: all-purpose fertilizer. Iowa State notes a second light feeding at bud time works well.

Columbines rot in soggy, poorly drained soil (NC State; Iowa State).

Harvest

Flowers open in spring for about a month. Deadheading reduces self-sowing and can extend bloom (Colorado State; Iowa State); cut leafminer-damaged foliage back after flowering and fresh leaves will grow (Iowa State; NC State). Blooms make good spring cut flowers (Iowa State).

Varieties (19)

Pests to watch for

Leafminers, Aphids, Twospotted spider mite, Sawflies (garden sawflies), Foliar nematodes

Diseases and problems

Powdery mildew, Leaf spot, Crown rot, Cucumber mosaic

In the kitchen

Safety: The U.S. Forest Service warns that mature seeds and roots contain toxins that can cause severe stomach upset and heart palpitations. Don't eat any part of the plant, and keep seed heads away from children.

Pets: Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA (columbine has no ASPCA entry), but the U.S. Forest Service says the seeds and roots are toxic, so discourage pets from chewing them.