Hybrid Columbines are herbaceous perennials in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) resulting from a cross between A. vulgaris and A. canadensis. They were bred to have larger flowers in more colors. These plants grow 1 to 3 feet tall an prefer fertile moist but well-drained soils in partial sun to full shade. Provide irrigation during dry spells. Deadhead to prolong the bloom season and prevent self-seeding as they will not seed true. Cut foliage back if it becomes infected with leaf miners as it will grow back. These hybrids have delicate fern-like leaves and very showy spurred flowers that appear mid-spring to early summer in multiple colors and bi-colors. A great plant for woodland and shady gardens, naturalized areas, or cottage gardens. Disease, pests, and problems: Leaf miner, stem borers, aphids, powdery mildew, leaf spots
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Mounding
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
3-parted fuzzy compound leaves with irregularly cut margins are blue-green to gray-green.
Flower color
Blue; Gold/Yellow; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Hanging or erect flowers with 5-petals, 5-sepals with long or short spurs projecting backward. They come in red, pink, blue, white, yellow, lavender or bi-colors.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Deer resistant. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies