Plant, care for, water and more

Plant columbines correctly

In order for columbines to create picturesque impressions in the garden for years to come, professional planting creates important framework conditions. Proceed as follows:

• Rake thoroughly, weed meticulously, remove stones and roots
• Dig small holes 20-30 cm apart
• Enrich the excavation with compost, horn meal, guano or leaf compost
• If necessary, create drainage at the bottom of the pit columbine Plant and water in the middle

Ideally, soak the root ball in advance until no more air bubbles rise. The planting depth in the bed corresponds to that in the seed pot. For the good end mulch You with material suitable for the location, such as bark mulch, grass clippings or pebbles.
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care tips

The care guidelines for a columbine do not pose any significant challenges, even for beginners among hobby gardeners. How to properly handle the plant:

• If the natural rainfall is not sufficient, the plant is watered
• If possible, do not water columbines overhead, but water them directly at the roots
• Organic from May to August fertilize with compost in the bed and liquid in the bucket
• Cut off wilted after the first bloom to encourage a late summer rebloom
• Cut back close to the ground in early spring at the latest

In the year of planting and in rough locations, a layer of leaves, straw and needle brushwood serves as protection against frost and winter moisture. A columbine in a pot is better off moving to frost-free, dark winter quarters, where it is watered from time to time.
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Which location is suitable?

The multifaceted genus of columbines contains an adequate species or variety for almost every location. In general, the plant thrives wonderfully in sunny to semi-shady locations, preferably under the influence of a wandering shade under deciduous trees. The higher a columbine stretches towards the sky, the more advantageous a wind-protected location proves to be.
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The right planting distance

The selected species and variety defines the concrete planting distance. Take a look at the expected growth height and divide by 2 to get the appropriate distance. For the common columbine with a growth height of 60 cm, a planting distance of 30 cm is considered ideal, while the dwarf columbine is content with a distance of 20 cm to the neighbor.

What soil does the plant need?

Thanks to its wide variety of species and varieties, you will discover a suitable columbine for every soil condition. The fundamental requirements for the earth are limited to the following attributes:

• Nutritious and humic
• Fresh, moist and well drained
• Sometimes sandy-loamy to dry, but never waterlogged

In the tub, the plant thrives excellently in commercially available potting soil based on compost for better permeability with a handful lava granules or expanded clay is optimized.

What is the best planting time?

The planting season for columbines that have been purchased and grown by hand begins in May. Say goodbye to the cold Sophie before you put the plant in the bed or pot. Direct sowing is possible from March to June, but rarely results in the desired blooms in the same year.

When is flowering time?

The flowering period of a columbine extends from May to June. During this time, the plant presents double and single flowers in white, pink, and yellow Blue and in attractive nuances such as delicate violet, bright orange or dramatic Bordeaux red. Modern hybrids feature contrasting colors of spurs and petals.
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Cut columbine correctly

If you do not want the plant to self-seed, cut off the withered flowers as soon as possible. In this way, you also attract a second bloom in late summer. Then give the roots enough time to pull in the above-ground parts of the plant and then cut the plant off close to the ground. Please wear gloves because of the high poison content.
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pour columbine

The casting behavior depends on the light and temperature conditions at the chosen location. In the sun-drenched rock garden, the plant evaporates more moisture than in the shelter of tall deciduous trees. The thumb test provides clarity as to whether to water or not. Ideally, pour the water directly onto the ground with the spout of the watering can and avoid spraying over flowers and leaves.

Fertilize columbines properly

Do not let the plant starve during the growth and flowering period. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with compost, guano, horse manure, and horn shavings. In the pot, the columbine is grateful for liquid fertilizer, which you apply every 14 days from May to August on previously moistened substrate.

hibernate

With regard to the frost hardiness, there are differences within the genus. Nevertheless, all the columbines cultivated in our gardens bravely face the winter without any special precautions having to be taken. Only in the year of planting do we recommend a light winter protection in the form of leaves, straw or needle sticks. The fallen leaves should only be cut off close to the ground in early spring as a natural winter protection.

For a plant in a pot, however, the privilege of carefree overwintering does not apply. Ideally, carry the columbine to a frost-free, dark winter quarters. Water here from time to time so that the root ball does not dry out.

multiply columbine

The creative gardener does not always like what the columbine produces after self-sowing. For the varietal propagation of your favorite plant, we therefore recommend dividing the rootstock in spring or autumn. Alternatively, you can purchase single-variety seeds from specialist retailers. To avoid the unpredictability of direct sowing, sow under controlled conditions behind glass from February. Here's how to do it:

• Fill the seed tray or small pots with sterile potting soil
• Scatter the seeds and sieve 3-5 mm high
• Keep constantly moist in a semi-shady window seat at 17-20 degrees
• Prick out at a height of 5-6 cm and two pairs of leaves

A few columbine species, such as Aquilegia chrysantha, require stratification. In this case, place the seed container in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for 4 weeks and then continue according to these short instructions.
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How do I plant correctly?

It is already a huge rootstock with a long taproot that develops a columbine in a short time. Thanks to this root mass, the change of location is under a lucky star. Use this opportunity for a rejuvenation and propagation of the plant. How to proceed:

• In spring or autumn, the root ball with the digging fork loosen up
• Lift the plant out of the ground and use the spade or share knives if necessary
• A vital segment has at least 2 shoots

At the new location, the planting pit has already been dug and the soil optimized with compost. Maintain the previous planting depth and water extensively on the day itself and afterwards.
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Aquilegia in the pot

In the pot, the columbine puts its futuristic-looking flowers in the right light, but proves to be not as long-lived as in the bed. Use loose compost-based potting soil as the substrate. Some pieces of pottery shards serve as drainage via the water drain in the floor to protect against waterlogging. This is how the care of the plant in the pot is regulated:

• If the substrate surface dries, it is poured
• Fertilize liquid every 2 weeks from May to August
• Clean out faded flowers
• Cut off close to the ground after the 2nd Blooms when the foliage has withered

Before the first frost, put the columbine in the pot in a frost-free, not too bright winter quarters. Don't let the root ball dry out and stop fertilizing until April.

Is columbine poisonous?

The columbine is poisonous in all parts. Even small amounts, eaten consciously or unconsciously, trigger severe symptoms of poisoning. Contact with the skin causes unpleasant irritations. Place the plant in the garden only when small children and pets are out of reach. Long-sleeved clothing and gloves are essential for planting and care work.
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How should columbine be cared for after flowering?

The potential for flowering twice a year slumbers in a columbine. In May and June, after the first bunch of flowers have withered, cut the plant down to the ground and apply a dose of fertilizer. In late summer, the flower sprout again. If self-sowing is desired, leave the withered flowers on the plant. Otherwise, just prune the flower heads to allow the roots to draw in the remaining nutrients from the foliage. Only then cut off the columbines completely to make room for the next season.

Which neighboring plants are beneficial?

Horticultural prudence dictates leaving the foliage on a columbine until nutrients are absorbed. In this phase, the plant has massively lost its ornamental value. The choice of compatible neighboring plants thus becomes more relevant. These perennials solve the problem with flying colours:

• Half-height delphinium
• Summer flowering cranesbill
• Evergreen spring rose
• Silver Lady's Mantle

Choose summer or fall flowering perennials with similar site requirements that use their leaves as a coat of charity over the now unsightly columbine foliage until they are cut off can.