Aquilegia x caerulea 'Sunshine'

Common Name: Columbine

This cheerful perennial just shouts “It’s Spring!” Vibrant sunshine yellow, fully double, 2” flowers with long spurs are produced in abundance from late spring through early summer. In our trials, when other nearby Columbines were already finished blooming, this one was still going strong.

It forms an attractively compact, upright clump of green foliage. When you see this plant blooming in the garden center, you'll just have to buy it--it is truly a ray of sunshine for the garden.

Aquilegia is especially lovely when allowed to naturalize in shady, woodland borders. They also have excellent potential as cut flowers, lasting up to 2 weeks in a vase.

Height:

22.0-28.0 Inches

Spread:

16.0-22.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

Yellow/Gold Shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs Consistent Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Late Spring Early Summer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds

Critter Resistant:

Rabbit Resistant

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Patio Container Cottage Eclectic Woodland Shade

Other Features:

Border Plant Container Cut Flower Cut Foliage Mass Planting Specimen Focal Point

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Columbine is easy to grow in loose, average to rich, well-drained soil. Heavy or soggy soils will hasten their demise. They can be grown in full sun or partial shade, though light shade will prolong the flowering time.

In the fall, cut plants back to their basal foliage. In the spring, remove only the dead leaves. Columbine is sometimes affected by leaf miners. If this happens, cut the foliage all the way back to the ground and discard it. Healthy, new growth will emerge quickly. Propagate by sowing named seed rather than by division; mature plants do not like to be disturbed.

Characteristics