Product Description
Aquilegia x'Earlybird Mix' (10)ct Quarts
Common Name: Columbine
This mixture, from the Earlybird™ series, was bred for vibrant colors, neatly mounded habit and unusual color combinations. Single colors and may include doubles like purple-white, purple-yellow and red-yellow usually with a yellow eye. They feature a controlled habit, with relatively short stems on well-mounded plants. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. Removing spent flowers will increase the blooming time.
Hardiness Zone: 3a - 9b
Hardiness Degree: -40°F (-40.0°C)
Blooming Season: Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Summer
Plant Habit: Upright
Characteristics: Shade Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Frost Tolerant
Water: Medium
Fertilize: Once a month
Spacing: 10 - 12" (25 - 30cm)
Height: 9 - 11" (23 - 28cm)
Width: 8 - 10" (20 - 25cm)
Exposure: Partial Sun, Sun
Aquilegia x 'Earlybird Mix' is a delightful and versatile columbine that offers a vibrant mix of colors in your garden. If you love the charm of columbines but enjoy a bit of surprise, this mix is a fantastic choice! Here is what makes it so appealing:
Appearance:
- A Spectrum of Colors: 'Earlybird Mix' does not stick to just one or two colors. It is a blend of various hues from the 'Earlybird' series, which means you could get a delightful combination of:
- Deep purples and whites
- Striking red and yellows
- Sunny yellows
- And perhaps even some unique bi-colors or double blooms!
- Classic Columbine Form: Like other columbines, the flowers have that distinctive bell shape with elegant spurs extending from the back. These spurs are a signature feature of columbines and add to their whimsical charm.
- Compact and Neat: 'Earlybird Mix' maintains a compact and well-behaved growth habit, typically reaching about 9-11 inches tall and 8-10 inches wide. This makes it suitable for various garden settings, including smaller spaces.
- Attractive Foliage: The delicate, lacy foliage complements the colorful blooms, adding texture and interest to the plant even when it is not flowering.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun to Partial Shade: 'Earlybird Mix' thrives in full sun to partial shade. It appreciates some shade during the hottest parts of the day, especially in warmer climates.
- Well-Drained Soil: It is crucial to plant it in well-drained soil to prevent root rot. Columbines, in general, do not like to sit in soggy soil.
- Adaptable: While it prefers well-drained soil, it can tolerate a range of soil types as long as they are not overly wet.
Care and Maintenance:
- Low Maintenance: Once established, 'Earlybird Mix' is relatively low-maintenance.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Deadheading: Removing spent flower stalks can encourage more blooms and prevent self-seeding, which can sometimes lead to columbines reverting to their original colors.
- Fertilizing: A light feeding in spring with a balanced fertilizer is beneficial.
Uses in the Garden:
- Borders and Edging: Its compact size makes it perfect for edging borders, pathways, or garden beds.
- Woodland Gardens: It is a great addition to woodland gardens, where it can naturalize and add pops of color under the dappled shade of trees.
- Cottage Gardens: The charming flowers fit perfectly in cottage-style gardens, adding a touch of whimsy and romance.
- Containers: It can also be grown in containers on patios, balconies, or decks, allowing you to enjoy its beauty up close.
Benefits:
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a valuable addition to pollinator gardens.
- Deer-Resistant: Deer tend to avoid columbines, so it is a good choice for gardens where deer are a problem.
- Early Bloomer: As its name suggests, it is an early bloomer, providing color in the garden when many other plants are just starting to emerge.
With Aquilegia x 'Earlybird Mix', you get the delightful surprise of a mix of colors, making it a fun and exciting addition to your garden! Its compact size, low-maintenance nature, and ability to attract pollinators make it a winner for any gardener.
Ten (10) plants in quart containers per flat (or tray).
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
