Horticulture/Aquilegia

Aquilegia (columbine) is a genus of about 60-70 species of herbaceous perennial plants that are found in meadows, woodlands, and at higher altitudes throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are known for their distinctive flowers, generally bell-shaped, with each petal modified into an elongated nectar spur.

Several species are grown in gardens; ../Aquilegia vulgaris/ (European Columbine) is a traditional garden flower in the British Isles, and several of the species that are native to North America are popular garden plants there. Numerous hybrids have also been developed as well. Easy to propagate from seed.

The traditional colors of lavender/blue columbines are the official Colorado state flower.

Growing Conditions
Full sun to part shade in fertile, well-drained soils.

Uses
Often used as "filler" plants between later blooming perennials.

Maintenance
Monitor carefully for sawflies. Remove any leaves with leafminer tunnels as soon as they are apparent.

Propagation
Seed or division

Harvest
Flowers are best cut in the morning, and keep well in a cool location.

Seed pods can be used in dry arrangements, either dried on the plant or hung green.

Pests and Diseases
../Leaf Spots/ ../Crown Rots/ ../Root Rots/ ../Rusts/ ../Viri/ ../Aphids/ ../Whiteflies/ ../Flies/ ../Caterpillars/ ../Sawflies/ ../Mites/
 * Ascochyta aquilegiae
 * Cersospora aquilegiae
 * Septoria aquilegiae
 * ../Pellicularia rolfsii/
 * ../Sclerotinia sclerotiorum/
 * ../Pellicularia filamentosa/
 * ../Phymatotrichum omnivorum/
 * ../Pythium mamillatum/
 * Puccinia redondita var. agropyri
 * ../Cucumber Mosaic Virus/ (CMV)
 * Melon Aphid: ../Aphis gossypii/
 * Aphid: ../Aphis spireaecola/
 * Crescentmarked Lily Aphid: ../Neomyzus circumflexus/
 * Aphid: ../Pergandeidia trirhoda/
 * Bandedwinged Whitefly: ../Trialeurodes abutilonea/
 * Columbine Leafminer: ../Phytomyza aquilegivora/
 * Columbine Skipper: ../Erynnis lucilius/
 * Columbine Borer: ../Papaipema purpurifascia/
 * Cabbage Moth
 * Dot Moth
 * Engrailed
 * Mouse Moth
 * Columbine Sawfly: ../Pristophora aquilegae/
 * Twospotted Spider Mite: ../Tetranychus urticae/