Columbines
Genus:	Aquilegia
Family:	Ranunculaceae
Type:	Herbaceous perennials
Weediness:	Self seed freely
Pollination:	Insects

Aquilegia (columbine) is a genus of about 60-70 species of herbaceous perennial plants that are found in meadows, woodlands, and at higher altitudes throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are known for their distinctive flowers, generally bell-shaped, with each petal modified into an elongated nectar spur.

Several species are grown in gardens; Aquilegia vulgaris (European Columbine) is a traditional garden flower in the British Isles, and several of the species that are native to North America are popular garden plants there. Numerous hybrids have also been developed as well. Easy to propagate from seed.

The traditional colors of lavender/blue columbines are the official Colorado state flower.

Description

Growing Conditions

Full sun to part shade in fertile, well-drained soils.

Species

Uses

Often used as "filler" plants between later blooming perennials.

Maintenance

Monitor carefully for sawflies. Remove any leaves with leafminer tunnels as soon as they are apparent.

Propagation

Seed or division

Harvest

Flowers are best cut in the morning, and keep well in a cool location.

Seed pods can be used in dry arrangements, either dried on the plant or hung green.

Pests and Diseases

Leaf Spots

• Ascochyta aquilegiae
• Cersospora aquilegiae
• Septoria aquilegiae

Crown Rots

• Pellicularia rolfsii
• Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Root Rots

• Pellicularia filamentosa
• Phymatotrichum omnivorum
• Pythium mamillatum

Rusts

• Puccinia redondita var. agropyri

Viri

• Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV)

Aphids

• Melon Aphid: Aphis gossypii
• Aphid: Aphis spireaecola
• Crescentmarked Lily Aphid: Neomyzus circumflexus
• Aphid: Pergandeidia trirhoda

Whiteflies

• Bandedwinged Whitefly: Trialeurodes abutilonea

Flies

• Columbine Leafminer: Phytomyza aquilegivora

Caterpillars

• Columbine Skipper: Erynnis lucilius
• Columbine Borer: Papaipema purpurifascia
• w:Cabbage Moth
• w:Dot Moth
• w:Engrailed
• w:Mouse Moth

Sawflies

• Columbine Sawfly: Pristophora aquilegae

Mites

• Twospotted Spider Mite: Tetranychus urticae

References

• Flora Europaea: Aquilegia
• USDA PLant Profile: Aquilegia
• Flora of China: Aquilegia (see also links to related floras therein)
• Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk (1997). The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. DK Publishing. pp. 127–128. 
• Pirone, Pascal P. (1978). Diseases & Pests of Ornamental Plants (Fifth Edition ed.). John Wiley & Sons, New York. pp. 139–140. 
• Cranshaw, Whitney (2004). Garden Insects of North America: The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs. Princeton University Press. pp. 580. 
• Pippa Greenwood, Andrew Halstead, A.R. Chase, Daniel Gilrein (2000). American Horticultural Society Pests & Diseases: The Complete Guide to Preventing, Identifying, and Treating Plant Problems (First Edition ed.). Dorling Kindersley (DK) Publishing, inc.. pp. 198.