Description
Semiaquilegia ecalcarata (Aquilegia ecalcarata) | False Columbine
False Columbine, also known as Spurless Columbine, a short-lived perennial native to open woodlands in China, is a close cousin to regular Columbine (Aquilegia), the biggest difference being that the flowers are spurless on the back side and the seeds are half size.
As it grows it will form a mound or a tuft of beautiful fine-textured, fern-looking leaves with graceful upright stems with dainty, bell-shaped, nodding flowers of deep violet to plum purple, from late spring to summer.
Plants can tolerate full sun in cool summer regions, but do best with some shade in warmer regions. Well-drained, moist soil is preferred. Semiaquilegia ecalcarata makes an excellent plant for edging, rock gardens, or to add color and texture to a woodland area.
Allow plants to self seed for successive generations.
Deer don’t particularly care for False Columbine and will usually leave it alone for other treats.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Part shade to full sun
Mature height: 14-16 inches
Mature width: 12 inches
Hardiness zones: 4-9