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Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
Danger: Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color: Pink Red Pale Yellow Light Blue Purple White/Near White
Bloom Time: Late Spring/Early Summer Blooms repeatedly
Foliage: Grown for foliage Chartreuse/Yellow
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Soil pH requirements: 5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic) 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: From seed; sow indoors before last frost From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting: Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
On Nov 22, 2009, bonehead from Pacific NW, WA (Zone 8a) wrote:
So many pretty varieties of this lovely spring flower. I add a new one every year here and there, sometimes replacing ones that are less energetic. I also get lots of volunteers, usually not true to form, but I let them bloom before pulling them out.
On Oct 25, 2005, Weezingreens from Seward, AK (Zone 3b) wrote:
McKana's have been reliable performers in my gardens. I have three plants that are well-over 8 years old, and they bloom profusely from June through August. They reach 48" tall, and usually require some staking as they fill with blooms.
On Jun 20, 2005, Joan from Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) wrote:
This plant has been a true performer in my gardens for 5 years through drought and drown. Doesn't seem to matter to it.
Editor's Note
Aquilegia is regarded as dangerous, in particular the seeds and roots. However, their acrid flavor generally helps to avoids poisonings.
The flowers of various species of Aquilegia were noted as historically being consumed with other fresh greens, and are reported to be very sweet, and safe if consumed in small quantities. The plant's seeds and roots are highly poisonous however, and contain cardiogenic toxins which cause both severe gastroenteritis and heart palpitations if consumed as food. However, this plant is better avoided due to its high toxicity; columbine poisonings may be fatal.
We tend to err on the side of caution in PlantFiles, and the danger notation in the details above is to warn gardeners, parents, and pet owners to look further for more information.
I have been growing this plant for 2 years and find it very successful in its second year. It has been flowering for over two months (I have been dead-heading it), and is a combination of crisp white outer petals, and cream-coloured inner petals.
On May 13, 2004, violabird from Barnesville, GA (Zone 8a) wrote:
I too love this plant and was happy to see that someone else found better blooming with deadheading. Everyone told me it wasn't needed, so I didn't do it this Spring--guess what, no more blooms! Last year they went from Late March thru June with religious deadheading.
On Mar 19, 2003, CanadaGoose from Oakville, ON (Zone 5b) wrote:
Charming plants with light, airy foliage and profuse flowers. Will flower all summer if dead-headed. Self-seeds fairly easily. Can grow to 4 ft with a spread of 3 ft.
Frequently bi-coloured eg lavender and cream, pink and white, yellow and cream, etc. Plants in my garden are currently seven years old. Shorter varieties can be short-lived.
Hybrid columbines may be short-lived even under the best garden conditions. They generally live 2-4 yrs. Plants self-sow prolifically and new plants are always developing (but seedlings may not be true to parent.) Plant in humusy and well-drained soil.
Sow seed outdoors in spring or summer, or sow indoors in winter after dry storing them in a refrigerator for 4-6
weeks. Plants develop quickly.
Leafminers create pale tunnels and blotches in the leaves. Remove and destroy damaged foliage. In severe cases spray weekly with insecticidal soap. Borers also attack columbines, causing the plant to collapse dramatically. Remove and destroy all portions of affected plants.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Seward, Alaska Capistrano Beach, California Chico, California Fremont, California Oakhurst, California Sacramento, California (2 reports) Colorado Springs, Colorado Waterbury, Connecticut Barnesville, Georgia Chicago, Illinois Metamora, Illinois Washington, Illinois Kirklin, Indiana Hebron, Kentucky La Crescent, Minnesota Wayzata, Minnesota Lincoln, Nebraska Munsonville, New Hampshire Metuchen, New Jersey Granville, New York Rensselaer, New York Rochester, New York Belfield, North Dakota Grace City, North Dakota Cincinnati, Ohio (2 reports) Dayton, Ohio Lebanon, Ohio Cookeville, Tennessee Fairview, Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Middleton, Tennessee Plano, Texas Sandy, Utah Kalama, Washington Port Orchard, Washington Puyallup, Washington Spokane, Washington Stanwood, Washington
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