I already ordered afew of the Swallowtail yellow ones from High Country Gardens and I am looking elsewhere at other types. I honestly don't know hardly anything about Columbines as I only had one plant afew years ago. I do know that I really loved the flowers.
At a local they had some called the Songbird Mix. From what I gather many of those colors from that type are very polular. I didn't get my act together early enough so they had only the white left so I didn't buy.
But I saw nice ones at American Meadows. The blue from the Songbird mix. Another called Colorado Violet and White, some doubles and McKana columbines.
So I would like to learn more about Columbine. I am not sure what to buy. They are all pretty LOL!! Thanks.
Let's talk about Columbines.
I love Columbines too, and have been starting several varieties from seed the last couple of years. Now it seems saw fly larvae have discovered the buffet I've put out for them, so while I do have blooms this year, there's absolutely no foliage left on most of them. I'm not big on insecticide use, so now I'm trying to decide whether to spray or quit worrying with them. I have a bunch of seedlings that are ready to set out, but haven't yet, knowing they'll just get munched to the ground.
Otherwise, they're such easy to grow, forgiving plants. Many tolerate dry shade well, which is one reason I've started so many (for a particular problem area under a water maple). I don't think you can go wrong with any of the hybrids, not sure about the species (other than those native to your area).
I always end up starting some McKanna Giants and other types too. Yesterday I bought a packet of seeds for 24" blue and white; I will start them soon. They are easy from seed and there are so many varieties!
I looked in our local nursery on Saturday for columbines. The didn't have any of the McKenna or Songbird series types though. Those I figgure are the ones I will truely like. But I did find two that I really liked. First off was a little cutie with big flowers called CALIMERO. A dwarf form growing 8 inches tall. The leaves are smaller than some of the columbines and the flowers are duskie purple outside with a solft yellow inside. Really very, very pretty. They came in small pots so I bought 5 of them.
Next is one (and I bought only one) in medium sized pot called LITTLE LANTERN Columbine. It has a label with American Beauties Native plants printed on it. This one said 10 inches tall. The flowers are a light wine red outside and wine and yellow inside. The shape of the inside is different from the other one I bought. I think its really pretty too. Label said attracts hummers and butterflies.
Then today I ordered 6 of the mixed Songbird Series Columbines on line. No point in trying to find them locally, they don't have them.
I think you will really enjoy your columbines. They really are very forgiving and easy to grow. One of my favorites is 'Nora Barlow'. It is a rich, deep purple.
Many columbines are actually native to North America. Native Americans used infusions from different parts of the plant to treat various ailments ranging from heart problems to fever. Also to help relieve the pain of poison ivy. The genus name 'Aquilegia' is derived from the Latin word for eagle because the spurs of the blooms on the single-flowered varieties resemble an eagle's claw.
Any tips for starting them from seed?
I tried last spring indoors with little germination, no survivors.
This year, I wintersowed with more success, but the plants are still tiny. I put a couple in the garden and they are surviving and growing. The rest will go in shortly.
GardenQuilts, I just put a pack of Blue Columbine in a styrafoam cup and put it under lights. It should do just fine. Outside I have a pack of McKenna Giants which
have germinated but no second leaves..I also have some (name ??) already in cells
ready to be planted out. I really like the lights. Remember flourescent lights come in
various lengths so you only need a small space really.
Thanks for the advice.
I need to set up light shelves for my plants. I had a few trays here and there under lights. (I just brought some of my veggies in today to speed them up). I planted my wintersown black barlows today. Hope they do well.
Love Columbine! I have it growing wild in my woods, I dig it and move it all of the time, but it self-sows like crazy! I'm not sure which cultivars I have...mine are pink, maroon and blue.
The McKana giants are my favorite, to start from seed don't cover the seed they need light to germinate. Annettte
I just bought six of the songbird mix mail order and they came today. Nice plants. I planted them near the columbines I bought locally in a semi shady woodsey garden I made this spring. It had violas in it also. And Lupines at the very back. So far looking very nice.
My columbines that are in full sun( 8hours a day) seem to do the best, other than the ones planted in pure compost.
Seems like my columbines blooming pattern is coming to an end. Do I cut back the plants to the ground now since it's getting so hot? Boy, they self seed like crazy!
I cut the seed stems if I'm not saving the seeds and cut the leaves when they start looking bad to an inch or two off the ground, they will send up new leaves Annette.
Two of the Songbird mix I bought mail order are blooming. I can't believe it. I was totally surprised. I figgured they would never bloom this year. They are both red ones, so very pretty. The plants are somewhat small but the flowers are big.