Skinner's Columbine Aquilegia skinneri

Water

Columbine, the common name for Aquilegia skinneri, should be watered deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth. Typically, watering once a week with about one inch (about 0.62 gallons) of water is adequate, but this can vary depending on your climate and soil conditions. During times of drought or extreme heat, you may need to water more often. Ensure the soil is moistened well at each watering and allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent over-watering.

Light

Columbine plants prefer a location that offers partial shade, especially in hotter climates. They can tolerate full sun in cooler regions but need protection from intense midday sun that can scorch their leaves. The ideal spot is dappled sunlight, simulating the light conditions of their native woodland habitats.

Temperature

Columbine plants are quite hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. They can survive in temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the ideal temperature range for Aquilegia skinneri is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourages the best growth and flowering.

Pruning

Columbine should be pruned to remove spent flowers and help encourage additional blooms. Deadheading, or the removal of fading flowers, can be done throughout the blooming season. After flowering has finished, cut back the foliage to promote healthy growth for the next season. This pruning typically occurs in late fall or early winter, after the plant goes dormant.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Aquilegia skinneri, commonly known as Skinner's Columbine, prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6.0 to 7.0. The best soil mix for Skinner's Columbine should contain organic matter such as peat or compost to improve soil structure and water retention. A mix of garden soil, compost, and perlite or coarse sand can create an appropriate environment for healthy root growth.

Repotting

Skinner's Columbine does not typically require frequent repotting. It is generally repotted only when the plant has outgrown its current container, which can be every 2 to 3 years. To minimize disruption, repot in the early spring just before new growth begins.

Humidity & Misting

Skinner's Columbine prefers moderate to high humidity levels, thriving best at around 40-60%. They can tolerate lower humidity levels but providing a more humid microclimate will help promote healthier foliage and better growth.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Skinner's Columbine in bright, indirect light and cool temperatures.

• Outdoor

  Plant Skinner's Columbine in partial shade with moist, well-draining soil.

• Hardiness zone

  3-9 USDA

Life cycle

Aquilegia skinneri, commonly known as 'Skinner's Columbine,' begins its life cycle as a seed, which, when sown in soil and given the proper conditions of light, temperature, and moisture, will germinate and sprout. The seed develops into a small seedling, which gradually grows true leaves and establishes a root system to absorb water and nutrients. As the plant matures, it develops a stronger stem and a larger leaf area, entering the vegetative growth stage where it focuses on increasing in size and mass. The transition to the reproductive stage occurs as daylight patterns change with the seasons, prompting the Aquilegia skinneri to produce distinctive, nodding flowers with long spurs and a range of colors that attract pollinators for sexual reproduction. After successful pollination, the flowers produce fruit in the form of follicles containing numerous seeds. Once mature, these seeds are dispersed by various means, including gravity, wind, or animal activity, completing the plant's life cycle and potentially giving rise to new plants if the conditions are suitable.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Columbine (Aquilegia skinneri) is commonly propagated by seed. The ideal time to sow seeds is either in the fall or in early spring. To propagate by this method, one should first collect ripe seeds from the plant once the seed pods have dried. These seeds can then be directly sown into a well-draining soil mix, barely covered with soil, and kept moist. If sowing in the spring, it may be beneficial to stratify the seeds by placing them in a sealed bag with moist sand or paper towels and refrigerating for about four weeks (1 month) to simulate winter, which can help to break seed dormancy and encourage germination. Once the seeds are sown and stratified if necessary, they should germinate in about three to four weeks at 70°F (21°C). Seedlings can then be grown on until they are large enough to be planted out into their final positions.