Columbine Aquilegia 'Chaffinch' (Songbird Series)
ABOUT
The Aquilegia 'Chaffinch', commonly known as Columbine, is part of the Songbird Series that is noted for its beautiful flowers and garden performance. The Columbine 'Chaffinch' is a stunning plant characterized by its showy blooms that sit atop slender, branching stems. These attractive flowers have a unique, bell-like shape and are often bi-colored. The 'Chaffinch' variety specifically boasts a captivating combination of petals that may shade towards soft pinks, lilacs, and creamy yellows, creating a delicate pastel palette. The outer petals typically spread outwards and can be rounded, while the inner petals are more tubular and can display contrasting hues, sometimes with spurs that elegantly extend outwards. The spurs contain nectar and are a particular attraction for pollinators like hummingbirds and bees. Beneath the flowers are the plant's foliage, which is made up of compound leaves, divided into rounded leaflets. These leaves are somewhat lobed, providing a lacy or fern-like texture that complements the softness of the flowers. As a member of the Songbird Series, the Columbine 'Chaffinch' is bred not only for its ornamental value but also for its hardiness and ability to flourish in a garden setting. Its appealing flowers and foliage make it a favorite among gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance and charm to their plant collections.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae.
Synonyms
Columbine, Granny's Bonnet.
Common names
Aquilegia 'Chaffinch'
ToxicityTo humans
Columbine, including the Aquilegia 'Chaffinch' from the Songbird series, has various parts that are toxic to humans if ingested. The plant contains several harmful compounds, including cyanogenic glycosides, which can produce cyanide in the body. Symptoms of columbine poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In serious cases, consumption of large quantities could result in respiratory difficulty, seizures, an increase in blood pressure, heart problems, and in extreme cases, could be fatal.
To pets
Columbine, including the Aquilegia 'Chaffinch' from the Songbird series, is also toxic to pets if ingested. It contains cyanogenic glycosides, which can be harmful to pets such as dogs and cats. Symptoms of poisoning may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Severe cases could result in respiratory distress, seizures, heart issues, and potentially death, though poisoning from columbine is uncommon and typically would require a pet to consume a significant amount of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Provides colorful blossoms in shades of pink, blue, purple, and white, adding beauty to gardens.
- Attracts Wildlife: Draws in pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds, supporting local ecosystems.
- Easy to Grow: Known for being hardy and low-maintenance, suitable for novice gardeners.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers a long blooming period from late spring to early summer, enriching garden aesthetics throughout the seasons.
- Versatility in Landscaping: Can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, rockeries, and woodland gardens.
- Resistance to Pests: Resistant to deer and rabbits, reducing the need for pest management.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has a degree of drought tolerance, making it suitable for drier climates or water-wise gardens.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Columbine 'Chaffinch' can be used to create natural dyes for fabric or paper, with different parts of the plant yielding different hues.
- The flowers can be crystallized and used as edible decorations for cakes and pastries, adding a touch of elegance.
- Pressed flower technique can capture the beauty of 'Chaffinch' blooms for crafting, such as in homemade greeting cards or bookmarks.
- Its dried seed pods can be incorporated into potpourri mixes, adding texture and interest.
- The unique shape of the flower can be used as inspiration in art and design, particularly in jewelry making.
- Leaves and flowers can be used in photography as props or subjects, enhancing composition with their distinctive form.
- As part of a fairy or miniature garden, the intricate flowers of 'Chaffinch' can add a whimsical touch to the landscape.
- Collecting seeds from the 'Chaffinch' can become a hobby, contributing to plant propagation and gardening communities.
- The plant can also be used in educational settings, teaching children about pollination and plant biology.
- Columbine 'Chaffinch' can serve as a motif in textile designs, including embroidery and fabric prints.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiColumbine is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityColumbine is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resolution: Aquilegia, commonly known as Columbine, derived its name from the Latin word for "eagle" due to its claw-like spurs, symbolizing strength and a strong resolve.
- Wisdom: Columbine flowers have long been associated with wisdom, as their intricate and delicate features suggest a level of detail-oriented thought and careful consideration.
- Courage: Columbines have historically been symbols of courage because they appear to boldly rise and stand tall on their slender stems, undeterred by their surroundings.
- Foolishness: In Christian symbolism, the unique shape of the columbine was once associated with fools' caps, referring to the inverted cone shape, and thus came to symbolize foolishness.
- Love: The variety of colors and the gentle appearance of the blossoms can also symbolize love and the desire to win the affection of a loved one.
WaterColumbine plants, like the Aquilegia 'Chaffinch', prefer evenly moist soil. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about one inch of water each time, which equates to roughly 0.6 gallons for a medium-sized plant. During the hot summer months or in particularly dry climates, increase the frequency to twice a week. It's important to avoid overhead watering to prevent disease; instead, water at the base of the plant. During the winter or in cooler climates, reduce watering to when the soil feels dry to the touch to prevent overwatering and root rot.
LightColumbine thrives in partial shade to full sun. The ideal spot for the Aquilegia 'Chaffinch' would be where it receives morning sunlight and is protected from the intense heat of the afternoon sun. This plant can also grow under dappled shade, such as beneath open canopy trees, which simulates its natural woodland habitat.
TemperatureThe Aquilegia 'Chaffinch' is hardy in a wide range of temperatures, but performs best when daytime temperatures are between 50°F and 75°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about -30°F and maximum temperatures up to 90°F. However, prolonged exposure to extremes at either end of its tolerance can stress the plant and affect its health and flowering.
PruningPrune Columbine after blooming to remove spent flower stems and encourage a tidy growth habit. Cutting the plant back to its base foliage can also promote a second, though less vigorous, bloom period. Generally, pruning is done yearly, after the first flowering has ended in early summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilColumbine 'Chaffinch' thrives in a well-draining soil mix composed of loamy garden soil, peat, and perlite, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 to support healthy growth.
RepottingColumbine 'Chaffinch' generally does not require frequent repotting; it can be done every 2-3 years or when the plant has outgrown its current container.
Humidity & MistingColumbine 'Chaffinch' prefers moderate humidity levels but is tolerant of a range of conditions, avoiding excessively dry or overly humid environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright indirect light with moderate watering.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade; protect from harsh sun and wind.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of the Columbine 'Chaffinch' begins with seed germination, usually in spring, when soil temperatures rise and conditions are moist. The emerging seedlings develop into rosettes of foliage, and as they mature, they form a deep taproot and a clump of green, lobed leaves. In the second year or later, the plant produces flowering stems adorned with distinctive, nodding flowers in shades of pink and light blue, commonly blooming from late spring to early summer. After pollination, often by hummingbirds or bees attracted to the flowers' nectar, the plant sets seed in elongated follicles. These seeds, when mature, are dispersed near the parent plant or further away by wind or animal movement. The plant often enters a period of dormancy in winter, with the foliage dying back, and then resuming growth the following spring, continuing its perennial cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Propogation: The Aquilegia 'Chaffinch' from the Songbird Series, commonly known as Columbine, is most popularly propagated through seed sowing. The best time to propagate Columbine by seed is in late spring or early summer. To propagate by seed, one should evenly distribute the seeds over the surface of a well-draining, moist seed-starting mix. The seeds require light to germinate, so they should not be covered with soil, but rather pressed gently into the mix. The seed tray should then be placed in a bright area but not in direct sunlight and kept at a temperature around 70°F (21°C). Germination can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days. Once seedlings are large enough to handle and after the threat of frost has passed, they can be transplanted into the garden spacing them about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) apart.
