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Swan Red & White Columbine

Aquilegia 'Swan Red and White'

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Swan Red & White Columbine (Aquilegia 'Swan Red and White') at Gertens

Swan Red & White Columbine flowers

Swan Red & White Columbine flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  26 inches

Spread:  16 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  3a

Other Names:  Wild Columbine, Granny's Bonnet

Brand:  Gertens

Description:

Showy, large red nodding flowers with white centers on slender stems with long, graceful spurs; makes for long lasting cutflowers; good for naturalizing partially shaded areas, also deer resistant

Ornamental Features

Swan Red & White Columbine features bold nodding red bell-shaped flowers with white overtones, yellow eyes and white spurs at the ends of the stems from mid spring to early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its ferny compound leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Swan Red & White Columbine is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Insects

Swan Red & White Columbine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Swan Red & White Columbine will grow to be about 26 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 16 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 6 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Swan Red & White Columbine is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.

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Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Rock  Edging  Garden  Groundcover  Naturalizing  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Texture 
Ornamental Features
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