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Hardiness: 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)
Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
Danger: Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color: Medium Blue
Bloom Time: Late Spring/Early Summer
Foliage: Herbaceous
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse From seed; stratify if sowing indoors From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting: Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
On May 8, 2009, Joan from Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) wrote: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.
On May 16, 2006, Tammylp from Lima, OH (Zone 5b) wrote:
I love these little guys. They are so tough in my garden; I can dig them up and move them even when flowering and they continue to bloom. They continue to multiply (from seed) and now I have enough for a mass plant in my back garden. Last year I had not the first sign of a leaf miner, never sprayed (first time).
On Oct 23, 2004, SalmonMe from Springboro, OH (Zone 6a) wrote:
This is really a lovely plant, but there are LOTS of lovely plants out there. This one is so very susceptible to leaf miners (you can almost count on them yearly here in Ohio) that it's debatable whether or not it's garden worthy for those who don't want to coddle it. If it is infested with miners, it can be cut to the ground and will recover foliage quickly. More than one cutting down may be necessary in a season, though, and flowering may be lost.
On May 16, 2004, Karenn from Mount Prospect, IL (Zone 5a) wrote:
If you are using columbines in your gardens, be sure to isolate different varieties - this genus readily "cross-breeds". So if you want one to "stay true" you must plant it in a very separate area of your garden, away from other columbines. Also, columbines are very short-lived perennials - they usually self-sow their seeds, so as to return the following year. If you don't want them "flinging themselves around the garden", you should cut the dried seed pods before they release the seeds and simply sprinkle some into the crown of the plant, and either share seeds with others or dispose of the rest.
On Apr 14, 2003, flowergal from West Danville, VT wrote:
This plant accidentally showed up from seeds blowing over into my yard from my neighbor. It was a very deep purple I now have three differant colors, deep purple, Light pink and bluish purple. I have had success in both using seeds, and replanting seedlings off of the original plant itself. Very pretty plant when full grown.
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