Aquilegia Earlybird™ Red White

Aquilegia Earlybird™ Red White: Red and White Fireworks, Pint Sized

Red with a crisp white centre, facing upward like a candy cane that got confused about the season. This compact columbine dresses for a holiday party in spring. PEPPERMINT, ANYONE?

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Aquilegia hybrid (cultivar code 'Pas1258484')
• Common Name: Columbine
• Series: Earlybird™, a PanAmerican Seed first-year-flowering columbine series
• Height: 23–28 cm (9–11 in)
• Spread: 20–25 cm (8–10 in)
• Flowers: Bicolour, red with a white centre, 5–8 cm (2–3 in) across, facing upward
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to July)
• Foliage: Soft, finely divided green leaves in a compact mound
• Features: Compact, good cut flower

Where to Plant: It's a natural for the front of a border, a rock garden, a hummingbird garden or a patio container, where the compact plants stay tidy and easy to see.

Companion Plants: Campanula 'Blue Magic'® spreads blue bells at the front from June to September. Gaura 'Whirling Butterflies' adds airy white flowers at 60 to 90 cm. Monarda 'Fireball' echoes the red of the columbine from July to September. Together they keep the bed in bloom well past July, in full sun or partial sun.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun or part sun in moist, well-drained soil. Afternoon shade helps the flowers last longer in hot weather. Avoid heavy, soggy soil, especially over winter. Water regularly through the first season. Deadhead to keep it tidy and encourage a few more flowers. If the leaves look tired or get marked by leaf miners in midsummer, cut them back and fresh foliage will follow. Like most columbines, individual plants are fairly short-lived, so a few new ones every few years keeps the show going.

History: The Earlybird™ series comes from PanAmerican Seed and was bred to need less winter chill than older columbines, so plants flower quickly and stay short and well branched, with upward-facing flowers. The genus name Aquilegia comes from the Latin word for eagle, a nod to the claw-like spurs.

Final Thoughts: Plant it near a window so you can watch the hummingbirds work it over. Cut a few for a tiny vase. HOLIDAY CHEER, NO SHOPPING REQUIRED.