Also known as Columbine · 3.5k gardener saves
Aquilegia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Aquilegia, the genus most gardeners know as columbine. We track 57 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Aquilegia varieties
Of 57 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedColumbine Mix
Aquilegia x hybrida 'Mix'
#2 most savedColumbine Double Flowers
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Double Flowers'
#3 most savedColumbine
Aquilegia x hybrida 'Melba Higgins'
Columbine McKana Hybrids
Aquilegia vulgaris 'McKana Hybrids'
Biedermeier Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Biedermeier'
Tequila Sunrise Columbine
Aquilegia x hybrida 'Tequila Sunrise'
Eastern Red Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Common Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett'
Songbird Columbine
Aquilegia Songbird
Variegated Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Aureo-Variegata'
Eastern Columbine Little Lanterns
Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns'
Browse all 57 Aquilegia varieties →
How to grow Aquilegia
What the Aquilegia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Aquilegia year
- DeadheadMay and June98% of varieties
Remove spent flower stalks to prevent aggressive self-seeding
- Spring CleanupFebruary85% of varieties
Cut back old, spent foliage before new growth emerges
- Check for PestsApril–June70% of varieties
Monitor for columbine leaf miners, a common pest
- PlantMarch, April and September33% of varieties
Plant container stock in early spring or early fall
- PruneJune and July33% of varieties
Cut spent flower stalks back to the basal foliage after blooming
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring
- Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Refrain from disturbing roots during flowering
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Aquilegia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves, distorted growth | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Leaf miners | Serpentine tunnels in leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Use sulfur-based fungicide chemical remedy |
| Slugs | Irregular holes in leaves, slime trails | Use organic slug bait or copper barriers |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
Making more Aquilegia
Division
- Divide clumps in early spring, replant immediately, and water thoroughly
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in fall, lightly cover, and keep moist for 6 weeks
Aquilegia questions
How many types of Aquilegia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 57 distinct Aquilegia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 3.5k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Aquilegia grow in?
Across its varieties, Aquilegia covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Aquilegia bloom?
Most Aquilegia varieties bloom in late spring, late spring to early summer, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Aquilegia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Aquilegia
Aquilegia shows up in
Design with Aquilegia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
