Fairytale Columbines - gardening hints - Brief Article

Sunset, Sept, 2001 by Lauren Bonar Swezey

These perennials bear irresistible flowers. Set out plants now for an enchanting garden next spring

* In springtime, when masses of colorful, long-spurred columbine flowers nod gracefully above tall stems, they resemble fluttering butterflies that dazzle the eye. "Columbine is one of those flowers you really want to get close to," says Robert Nold of Denver, who has spent three years writing a book on columbine (genus Aquilegia) to be published in the near future.

Columbines come in a range of forms, including single and double flowers with (or without) long or short spurs. Many flowers are classic nodding types: others are borne erectly on stems. Lately, the single-petaled, long-spurred types seem to be in favor with columbine aficionados, and the nectar-bearing spurs are a hit with hummingbirds. All types of columbines arise from mounds of bright green or variegated foliage resembling maidenhair fern.

Short-lived perennials (most last only two to four years), columbines grow in almost every Western climate except Hawaii. Some of the best are native species, including the Southwest's golden columbine (A. chrysantha) and Rocky Mountain columbine (A. caerulea), Colorado's state flower. However, many of the plants you'll find in nurseries are large-flowered hybrids; although some of these are named, others are random hybrids of unknown parentage. If you want a certain flower color or form, buy only species or named varieties.

Fall is a good time to set out columbine plants from containers, as they can get established and produce a good show of blooms next spring. (In cold-winter climates, wait until next spring to set out plants.) You can also start seeds this coming winter, but such plants may take two seasons to bloom.

Growing tips

* Grow in full sun or dappled shade. A few woodland species, such as A. formosa, prefer cool shade.

* Plant in well-drained soil, unamended or lightly amended.

* Keep the soil moist but not wet.

* To extend the life of a plant, cut off old flowers before seeds form. If powdery mildew infects foliage, cutting it back may initiate a new flush of foliage.

* To control aphids in spring, spray plants with a soap solution. Robert Nold prefers to use 1 capful of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap to 1 quart of water.

* Columbines cross-pollinate readily. Save seed only from species grown in isolation from other columbines. The seeds from nonisolated plants often produce flowers different from the original parents.

Gallery of choice columbines

You can choose from many species and varieties. Here are some of the best.

Showy species

A. clematiflora. Nodding, nearly spurless flowers resemble clematis blossoms. Colors range from rose and white to purple and burgundy red. 'Double Purple', a striking double-flowered type, grows to 24 inches tall. Sunset climate zones 1-10, 14-24, A2-A3.

A. flabellata. Native to Japan, it bears nodding, 11/2-inch-wide flowers with white petals, lilac-blue sepals, and 1-inch-long spurs. 'Alba' is a white variety. Leaves are thicker and darker than other columbines. Grows 8 to 18 inches tall. Zones 1-9, 14-24, A2-A3.

Proven varieties

A. `Swallowtail'. Outward-facing lemon yellow flowers up to 3 inches wide with dramatic 4-inch-long spurs. Grows 3 feet tall. Native to Arizona. Zones 1-10,14-24, A2-A3.

A. vervaeneana Woodside Variegated Mixed. Grown for its yellow and-green variegated or all-yellow foliage. Single or double flowers come in blue, pink, purple, and white, Grows up to 30 inches tall. Zones 1-10,14-24, A2-3.

McKana Giants. Long-spurred hybrids with 2- to 21/2-inch-wide flowers in a range of colors, including blue, pink, red, yellow, and white with contrasting petals. Grows to 3 feet tall. Zones 1-10,14-24, A2-A3.

Songbird series. Hybrids with flowers up to 31/2 inches wide. 'Redbird' has gorgeous red-and-white blooms; 'Robin' has rose-and-white flowers. Grows 11/2 to 2 feet tall. Zones 1-10, 14-24, A2-A3.

Western natives

Golden columbine (A. chrysantha). Native to the Southwest, it bears upward-facing, fragrant yellow, 11/2- to 3-inch-long flowers with 2- to 21/2-inch-long spurs. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall. Vigorous plant tolerates heat and resists mildew. 'Yellow Star' and 'Yellow Queen' are two noteworthy varieties. Zones 1-24.

Rocky Mountain columbine (A. caerulea). Upward-facing blue-and-white flowers 2 inches wide with spurs to 2 inches long. Grows 11/2 to 3 feet tall. Zones 1-11,14-24 (at lower elevations, plant in a cool, shady location), A1-A3.

Western or red spur columbine (A. formosa). Native from Northern California and Utah to Alaska, it bears nodding, bright red flowers 11/2 to 2 inches wide with stout spurs. Grows 11/2 to 3 feet tall. Zones 1-11,14-24 (at lower elevations, plant in a cool, shady location), A1-A3.