Colombine changing color question

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Schmetterling Louisville, KY(Zone 6a) May 26, 2002

Ok, I asked this before and never really got a good answer. I have the large McKanna Columbines, pink and yellow. They are the same plants that I have had going on 4 years now...not a new seedling. They changed colors last year to solid yellow after applying a Rhodo/Camilia food(acidic food said on pkg for columbine too)...well this year they are slighly starting to turn pink again at the tips....could it be that the alkalinity of the soil enhances the vibrant colors? Ones that I have in another location near the foundation of the house, where I bet the soil, due to the concrete is much nore alkaline, they are red and yellow, and dark purple and yellow and have been for 3-4 years now...never changed colors. Any body know for sure??? Was thinking about adding some lime to the yellow one and see if it would change back.

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Baa May 26, 2002

OK I'll have a go at giving a possibly unsatisfactory answer ;)

I recall being told that blue or violet flowered plants grown on alkaline soils are slightly less vibrant than on acid soil and are often just a little paler, lavenderish colour. In the case of Hydrangea, and quite possibly other plants, this is due, not to what is in the alkaline soils, but rather, what isn't. Aluminium (English spelling) is a trace element which is the missing component in alkaline soils and often part of the reason for the intensity of the blue flowers.

Why your Aquilegia is going through a colour change is a bit of a mystery, the only thing I can think of is that the food or something else has upset the balance of the soil nutrients for a short time.

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