Description
Aquilegia x caerulea (hybrid) | Columbine ‘Crimson Star’
Columbine, also known as ‘Granny’s Bonnet’ is an all time favorite garden and wildflower that can be found growing in woodlands and meadows. They are a hardy, herbaceous, short-lived perennial that’s easy to grow from seed and will tolerate a large range of soil and sun types, so will do well in full sun although they flower better with shade. The plants are early blooming, free flowering, well branched, drought tolerant and tough as nails. (Some columbines go dormant in the summer and will grow foliage again in the fall.) The plants will bloom during the second year from late spring to early summer. The petals of Columbine flowers are spurred, which is the major characteristic that sets them apart from other flowers, while the leaves are generally clover-like in shape.
‘Crimson Star’ Columbine has true crimson red flowers surrounded by a pristine white corolla.
Seeds should sprout with heat, humidity, and light. If they don’t they may require a period of cold-stratification before sowing. Or they can be direct-sown outdoors autumn through mid-winter. Will gladly self sow in soil or gravel, under decks, etc.
Hummingbirds and bumblebees love them!
Type: Perennial
Part shade to full sun
Mature height: 18- 24 inches
Mature width: 18 inches
Hardiness zones: 3- 9