southernliving.com
07.08.2023
How To Grow And Care For Columbine Plants
Most columbine plants are cool season, spring blooming plants with unique flowers. Rising high above the lobed green to gray green foliage are spikes of flowers, usually facing down with elongated narrow spurs reaching behind. However, there are some varieties that face outward or upwards, do not have spurs, or have double flowers. Available in many colors, columbine plants are ideal for shady wooded areas, but some do well as rock garden plants. The erect, dried brown seed heads are comprised of five capsules that burst open to reveal many dark black small seeds. This plant self-seeds and crosses with other columbine plants. Although a short-lived perennial, the self-sowing make it appear that the plants last for years in the garden. Columbine flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and hawk moths. The plant is deer resistant and toxic for humans, dogs, and cats if ingested.