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Plant Selector Guide
Aquilegia alpina (Alpine Columbine)

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Plant Type: Perennial
Uses: Shade, Ornamental
Propagation: Division, Seeds
Habit: Upright, Drooping
Light: Part Shade, Full Shade
Flower Color: Blue
Blooms: Spring, Early Summer
Width: 2 ft.
Height: 1 - 3 ft.
Fertility: Rich
Soil: Moist, Well-Drained
Zone: 4 - 9

Hardy Perennial. Columbine is a ferny-looking plant with bright, dancing, spurred flowers on wiry stems that makes a lovely cut flower. Hummingbirds gather necar from the spurs, they are most attracted to red-flowered varieties, such as the native A canadensis. Prepare to be enchanted with this beauty which is native to Switzerland. Flowers are blue with blue sepals, though sometimes the tube of the flower will be very pale blue or white. This wildflower does best in moist, well-drained soil. They are easy to grow and flower in spring or early summer. Store seeds in the refrigerator for 3 weeks before sowing. When sowing, do not cover the seeds, as they need light for germination and will germinate best at a temperature of 70 to 75 degrees. Keep well watered. Of the 65 Aquilegia species, this is one of the finest and most rewarding to grow. 'Caerulea' is the cultivar pictured.