Columbine, scientifically known as Aquilegia, is a popular perennial valued for its unique, spurred flowers and delicate, fern-like foliage. These plants offer vibrant color in the garden, often blooming in late spring just as early bulbs begin to fade. Finding a variety of columbine that suits your specific garden conditions, whether full sun in cooler climates or partial shade in warmer zones, is straightforward.
Retail Sources for Columbine Plants
Gardeners seeking columbine have several reliable options, each offering a different selection and level of personal service. Visiting a local independent nursery or garden center is often the best first step for discovering which Aquilegia species thrive in your specific region. These local establishments generally stock varieties adapted to the area’s soil and climate conditions and their staff can provide specialized planting advice. Large chain stores and home improvement centers frequently carry columbine during the peak spring planting season. While these stores offer convenience, their selection is typically limited to common hybrids, and the quality of bare-root forms can sometimes be inconsistent.
For gardeners seeking rare colors or specific native species, online specialty nurseries are an excellent resource. These vendors often provide the widest selection of unique cultivars, such as the striking Aquilegia caerulea or specialized dwarf varieties. When purchasing online, confirm the seller’s shipping timeline and ensure they are a reputable source, particularly for bare-root stock. Other localized sources, like community farmers’ markets or plant society sales, can also yield exceptional finds, often specializing in heirloom or locally propagated seeds and starter plants.
Choosing the Right Form: Seeds, Bare Roots, or Potted
Columbine is primarily sold in three forms: seeds, bare roots, or fully potted plants. Potted plants are the simplest choice, as they offer immediate transplanting success and provide instant confirmation of the flower color and species. While they represent the highest initial cost, potted Aquilegia are already established and generally bloom in the current season, assuming they are purchased during the spring.
The most economical way to acquire columbine is through seeds, which provide the broadest access to rare and specific varieties. Columbine seeds require cold stratification to break dormancy, meaning they must be exposed to cold, moist conditions (typically 30 to 45 days at 40°F/4°C) before they will germinate. Plants started from seed often focus on developing a strong root system during the first year and may not produce flowers until the following spring.
Bare roots are a middle-ground option, consisting of dormant root crowns shipped without soil, and they are generally cheaper than potted plants. These roots require careful and immediate planting in early spring or fall to prevent desiccation. A healthy bare root often establishes itself quickly and has a higher chance of blooming in the first year compared to a plant started from seed.
Timing Your Purchase and Planting
The optimal time to purchase columbine is dictated by the form you choose and your local growing season. For immediate garden impact, spring is the best season to buy potted plants, as they are widely available in nurseries and ready to be set into the ground after the final frost. Planting in the spring allows the root system to establish itself before the heat of summer arrives.
If you opt for bare roots, purchasing and planting them in either early spring or autumn is ideal. Fall planting allows the roots to settle into the soil and begin developing during the cooler months before the ground freezes solid. This gives them a significant advantage, often leading to robust growth and blooms the following spring.
Seeds can be purchased year-round, but the timing of sowing is crucial for success. Direct sowing outdoors in the late fall mimics the natural cycle, allowing winter cold to naturally stratify them for spring germination. Starting seeds indoors is typically done in late winter, about six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date, using artificial stratification methods.