9 Beautiful Columbine Varieties for Shade Gardens

Like birds in flight as they sway in the breeze, columbine flowers delight the shady border in spring and early summer. Their scientific name (from the Latin aquila for “eagle”) reflects the resemblance of their spurred petals to an eagle’s talon. The common name columbine derives from the Latin “dove.” Their pendant blooms with spurs, petals, and stamens suspend delicately from slender stems. Their easy, effortless grace and light floral forms bring detailed ornament with a rugged perennial foundation.

Columbines emerge after cold winters with fresh leaves and soon-to-follow flowers. The nodding blooms range from rich red and yellow to soft blues, purples, and pinks. Hummingbirds frequent the tubular spurs for nectar, and birds feed on the seeds in the fall. In addition to the flowers are attractive compound leaves, lobed and mounding.

With species native to North America and their many varieties, columbine flowers are fit for woodlands, rock gardens, cottage gardens, and native, pollinator, and wildflower plantings. They grow beautifully in the shaded border and in pots, adding high ornament and delicate appeal. While they tolerate varying exposures, the following columbine varieties brighten the shade garden with their own undeniable style.

McKana Giants Blend Columbine Seeds

McKana Giants are superior strains developed for their very large flowers (3″), beautiful range of colors, and long graceful spurs. Excellent for rock gardens, perennial beds, and wildflower areas. Will grow and bloom well in dappled shade. Flowers add grace to fresh flower arrangements. All-America Selections winner, 1955.

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About Columbine

Columbine belongs to the ranunculus family (Ranunculaceae) with buttercups, clematis, hellebore, and larkspur. They grow well in climates with cold winters and mild summers, with about 60 to 70 Aquilegia species in the northern hemisphere. Flowers have five sepals (forming the calyx), interior petals, and showy spurs. 

The short-lived perennials naturalize in their optimal growing conditions through underground stems and reseeding. Species columbine varieties grow easily from seed and reseed in optimal conditions (but aren’t weedy or aggressive). Direct sow in late winter or in the fall to overwinter and provide cold stratification. Columbine is a cold-climate specimen and benefits from a cold period of 30 days or more to germinate. Scatter seeds on the soil surface and cover lightly with soil.

With a natural habitat along woodland edges, clearings, and riverbanks, columbine grows best in moderately moist, well-drained soils. The hearty and adaptable perennials tolerate varying conditions, but regular moisture shows the most vigorous growth and flowering. They thrive in dappled shade, though many adapt to varying exposures. Protect them from intense afternoon sun to avoid burn. The benefit of light shade also extends flowering.

Columbine is semi-evergreen and retains its basal leaves unless temperatures are too cold or too hot, when plants enter dormancy until temperatures level off. Cut back worn or tired foliage in mid to late summer for a fresh flush, and leave it standing for its handsome greenery until heavy frost. As a bonus, foliage is deer and rabbit-resistant.

Rocky Mountain Blue

	common name Rocky Mountain Blue
	botanical name Aquilegia coerulea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Rocky Mountain blue columbine is a beloved North American native wildflower variety. The graceful origami-like blooms spring to life after long winters. The heirloom brings violet and white blooms with yellow stamens.

Attractive compound leaves emerge quickly as temperatures warm, followed by nodding flowers. Hummingbirds and others appreciate the nectar from the tubular blooms, and birds feed on the seeds in the fall.

Aquilegia corulea is an award-winner, holding the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its performance and ornament. The Colorado State Flower is a classic beauty among the group.

Western Red

	common name Western Red
	botanical name Aquilegia formosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Western red columbine has striking red and yellow down-facing blooms. With upswept outer red sepals and the yellow-petaled nose leading the way, the flowers resemble a colorful shooting star. The show lasts for four to six weeks in early summer, usually from late May to July in its native range. The durable wildflower tolerates variable conditions and thrives in a shady woodland border. In its natural plant community,

The North American native species is long-lived and occurs naturally in northern Rocky Mountain states, Nevada, California, and the Pacific Northwest. It spans British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon Territory, and Alaska. It grows at a range of elevations from moist thickets and subalpine meadows to the alpine tree line.

Western red columbine grows across soil types, from heavier compositions that hold moisture to well-draining, sandy sites. They’re relatively drought-tolerant but, like other species, flower best with regular watering. 

Eastern Red

	common name Eastern Red
	botanical name Aquilegia canadensis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Eastern red columbine is another North American native species, this time growing in Canada and the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. The old garden favorite boasts Award of Garden Merit status. The red and yellow pendant blooms dangle and bob from the tips of stems. Red spurs point upward and provide nectar for hummingbirds and hawk moths. Yellow petals and prominent stamens droop below and supply pollen for bees.

Eastern red forms a soft basal mound of rounded and lobed blue-green leaves. Attractive even when not in flower, the foliage turns yellow in autumn for added seasonal interest before dormancy. The upright stems branch sparsely from the base to support the late spring to early summer bloom. Healthy, mature specimens bloom in a swirling mass.

Eastern red columbine grows in shade and dappled light but also tolerates full sun, given plenty of moisture, especially in mild climates. It naturalizes in optimal growing conditions, forming a lovely colony among late spring bulbs and woodland perennials like hosta, hardy geraniums, dicentra, and astilbe.

Songbird ‘Bluebird’

	common name Songbird ‘Bluebird’
	botanical name Aquilegia ‘Bluebird’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 20-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Bluebird’ has a distinct open-faced petal arrangement in watercolor hues. While columbine blooms usually nod, the Songbird series faces up to show off their cheery pinwheel petals. ‘Bluebird’ shows clusters of three-inch flowers in periwinkle with white inner petals and yellow stamens at the center.

Other striking selections in the series include ‘Cardinal’ in deep red and rose-white and ‘Blue Jay’ with deep violet and white flowers. ‘Goldfinch’ has a sculptural floral form with lemon-yellow cups surrounded by lighter spurs.

‘Bluebird’ is an AGM recipient for its compact habit, large blooms, and nearly effortless performance. This variety, like most, prefers well-draining soils. 

Clementine ‘Salmon Rose’

	common name Clementine ‘Salmon Rose’
	botanical name Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Clementine Salmon Rose’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 14-16”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Clementine Salmon Rose’ mixes up the color complement with pink to salmon petals and yellow stamens. The semi-double blooms are upfacing and appear in clusters, like frilly pompons on the stem. Resembling clematis or mini-dahlias, the fully petaled flowers don’t have spurs.

‘Clementine Salmon Rose’ is a profuse bloomer among columbine varieties. The Clementine series offers compact, bushy plants with double-bloom, spurless characteristics. Their short habit makes them ideal for containers and the front of the border. 

Look for ‘Clementine Blue’ with clear blue-violet petals and ‘Clementine Red’ in bright rose. The series blooms for four to six weeks early in the warm season.

‘Little Lanterns’

	common name ‘Little Lanterns’
	botanical name Aquilegia canadensis ‘Little Lanterns’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-10”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Little Lanterns’ is an eastern red (A. canadensis) cultivar. A compact selection, its diminutive stature makes it a fit for small spaces and pots. Loads of yellow and pinky-red bell blooms appear on short stems. Above blue-green basal foliage, the pendulous lanterns are a beacon for ruby-throated hummingbirds.

While some newer cultivars don’t reseed, ‘Little Lanterns’ will self-sow and naturalize where it’s happiest. It also grows easily from seed. Tuck in multiples for a full pollinator buffet.

Like its parent, good leaf miner resistance makes the perennial less susceptible to damage from the pests. Leaf miners are among the few pests that bother columbines, and the species shows only minor damage from the insects.

‘McKana Giants Blend’

	common name ‘McKana Giants Blend’
	botanical name Aquilegia cultorum ‘McKana Giants Blend’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

This 1955 All-America Selections award winner brings giant flowers to the group. With layers of petals in soft and bold shades, the heirloom variety remains a favorite. From sherbety pink and yellow hues mixed with deep blue, purple, and maroon, its “star within a star” petals and showy spurs add intrigue. 

The three-inch blossoms rise above the ferny foliage on slender stems, making them float in a graceful display. The easy elegance of ‘McKana Giant’ makes a lovely and lasting cut flower. Harvest stems early in the day and pick those with about half of the cluster open.

Like all in the genus, the long spurs are nectar-rich with evolutionary adaptations tailored to pollinators with narrow beaks or long tongues. Hummingbirds, sphinx (hawk) moths, butterflies, and bees visit for nectar, and bumblebees often collect pollen.

‘Earlybird™ Red and White’

	common name ‘Earlybird™ Red and White’
	botanical name Aquilegia ‘PAS1258484’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 20-24”
	hardiness zones 4-9

The Earlybird™ series rises in the spring with upfacing blooms on short stems. Bunches of long-spurred blooms wave above a compact mound of foliage.

‘Red and White’ bears masses of blossoms with rose-red spurs and white interior petals. A matching rose blotch marks the centers and surrounds a bundle of yellow stamens. 

Others in the collection include ‘Purple and White’ in velvety red-purple and ‘Red and Yellow’ with swirling gold petals and rosy red spurs.

‘Krigami™ Deep Blue and White’

	common name ‘Krigami™ Deep Blue and White’
	botanical name Aquilegia caerulea ‘Kirigami™ Deep Blue and White’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 22-24”
	hardiness zones 4-9

This floriferous cultivar is unique in floral form but also because it brings first-year blooms. Many columbine varieties bloom in their second year, so a first-year flowerer is a delight without the wait.

The Krigami™ series boasts upright growth and upfacing flowers in addition to its early flowering. In indigo and white, dotted with yellow centers, the bright blooms of ‘Deep Blue and White’ sparkle in the woodland border.

Look to ‘Krigami™ Rose and Pink’ for a profusion of deep and light red shades. ‘Yellow’ brings a mass of soft lemon, and ‘Light Blue and White’ a cloud of pale blue.