The perennial plant Columbine (Aquilegia) is a popular addition to gardens, recognized for its delicate, spurred flowers that bloom in spring and early summer. Deadheading, the practice of removing spent blooms, is generally recommended for this plant. This simple maintenance task significantly influences the plant’s energy allocation and its appearance throughout the growing season. Deadheading involves understanding the plant’s natural life cycle and how it allocates resources after the initial flowering period.
Reasons to Remove Spent Flowers
Deadheading Columbine redirects the plant’s energy away from seed production, which is an energy-intensive process. When the plant does not expend resources on ripening seeds, it channels that energy toward vegetative growth and, in many cases, a secondary display of blooms. This second flush of flowers often occurs on established plants, particularly modern hybrid varieties, extending the color into early summer.
Preventing the aggressive self-seeding characteristic of Aquilegia is another primary reason for deadheading. If spent flowers are left on the plant, they will mature into seed pods that scatter numerous seeds widely across the garden. Allowing uncontrolled seeding can lead to overcrowding and the appearance of volunteer seedlings in unwanted locations. Furthermore, hybrid columbines often cross-pollinate, meaning the seedlings that emerge may revert to the characteristics of older parent species rather than retaining the unique colors and forms of the original hybrid.
Step-by-Step Deadheading Technique
Deadheading Columbine should begin as soon as the first flowers fade and the petals start to drop, before seed heads fully form. Identify the individual flowering stem, known as the peduncle, which rises above the fern-like foliage. Use clean, sharp hand pruners or snips to make a precise cut, ensuring a quick recovery for the plant.
Follow the spent flower stalk down to a point just above the first set of healthy, true leaves that branch off the main stem. If the stalk has no leaves along its length, trace it all the way back to the basal foliage cluster near the ground and make the cut there. Removing the entire stalk encourages the plant to initiate new growth from the leaf axils or the base, potentially leading to additional flower production. This removal prevents the plant from diverting energy to seed capsule development.
Managing Foliage After Flowering
Separate from deadheading, maintenance of the plant’s foliage is necessary, as it often declines visibly as temperatures rise in early to mid-summer. Columbine’s lacy, blue-green basal leaves can become scorched by excessive heat or develop issues like powdery mildew or leaf miner damage. This deterioration makes the plant look unattractive and compromises its overall health.
Once the main flowering period is complete, and if the foliage appears worn or diseased, the plant can benefit from a more substantial “foliage haircut.” Cut the entire mound of basal leaves back to within one to two inches of the soil line. This pruning removes the damaged material, improves air circulation around the crown, and stimulates the growth of a fresh set of healthy, compact leaves that will provide an attractive mound of green for the remainder of the season. This distinct practice helps the plant store energy in its roots for the following spring and manages common summer pest and disease problems.