Earlybird™ Red and White Columbine

You know its officially spring when the Earlybird™ Red and White Columbine starts to bloom. Large, beautiful flowers have deep red spurred petals that encircle a layer of white inner petals. These showy flowers are surrounded by delicate, fern-like green foliage. This variety, also known as Aquilegia hybrida, starts to bloom in early spring until late summer. Feature this Columbine in borders, mass plantings, or containers. The lovely blooms also make stunning cut flowers. Red varieties of Columbine are a favorite with hummingbirds and attract other pollinators like bees. This beauty grows as a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 9. Earlybird™ Red and White Columbine Care This plant needs full to part sun but growing in part sun will prolong the blooming cycle. New plants need consistently damp soil, but established plants need water once a week. Container-grown plants will need more frequent water. Use mildly acidic soil that allows for good drainage. Apply water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season to support healthy and consistent growth. Remove spent flowers before the plant has a chance to self-seed. Trim back most of the growth in the fall, but keep the basal leaves or the lowest level of foliage. Leaving some foliage will protect the roots against the winter chill, and dead growth can be removed in the spring. Earlybird™ Red and White Columbine Spacing This plant maintains a compact growth habit and will reach 9 to 12 inches tall and wide. The plants can be spaced as close as 9 to 12 inches apart to create a dense mass planting. Leave more space if that is the desired look or feature one Columbine in a 12-inch container.