Columbine for a Shady Corner

         In the shade of maple trees and the pond several species of Columbine are growing in my garden. Firstly I planted some Columbines in sunny spot and then  transplanted some of them into a shady place. Aquilegia does not demand special growing conditions though it is better to plant it in wet soils. 

 

In my Northern garden it starts blooming in late May and here Aquilegia is called 'a dove'. When do your Columbines usually start blooming? In wild young Columbine blooms in the second year and because of cross-pollination they easily form new species. 

In summer I often see new colors of Aquilegia flowers. Therefore I try to prevent their self-sowing. If I want to propagate them I pick up seeds when boxes are formed. What do you do with Columbine when its flowers fade? I prune flower stems and leave the ornamental leaves, I love their shape.

 

I tried to propagate by dividing the Aquilegia roots, but they were fragile and my experience was not successful. Did you know how to divide Columbine? I loved to dry Columbine flowers: they may be used for floral displays. The flowers to easily be dried in a cool place (I hang them in a terrace) and later they well retain their dry form and color.