Product Description
Aquilegia x'Earlybird Red Yellow' (10)ct Quarts
Common Name: Columbine
Large, beautiful flowers have deep red spurred petals that encircle a layer of yellow inner petals.
These showy flowers are surrounded by delicate, fern-like green foliage.
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
Attracts Bees, Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant
Aquilegia x 'Early Bird Red Yellow' is a delightful and vibrant columbine that brings a burst of color to spring gardens. Here is a breakdown of what makes it so charming:
Appearance:
- Eye-catching blooms: This columbine boasts unique bi-colored flowers with deep red outer petals (sepals) and sunny yellow inner petals. The combination creates a striking contrast that is sure to catch the eye.
- Distinctive shape: Like other columbines, 'Early Bird Red Yellow' has bell-shaped flowers with characteristic spurs that extend from the back. These spurs are what give columbines their unique and whimsical appearance.
- Compact size: 'Early Bird Red Yellow' is a relatively compact variety, typically growing to about 9-11 inches tall and 8-10 inches wide. This makes it a great choice for smaller gardens or containers.
- Lacy foliage: The plant features delicate, fern-like foliage that adds to its overall appeal, even when it is not in bloom.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun to partial shade: 'Early Bird Red Yellow' thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers some shade in the hottest part of the day.
- Well-drained soil: Like most columbines, it needs well-drained soil to prevent root rot.
- Adaptable: It can tolerate a variety of soil types, as long as they are well-drained.
Care and Maintenance:
- Low maintenance: Once established, 'Early Bird Red Yellow' 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: Its compact size makes it ideal for edging borders or pathways.
- Woodland gardens: It is a great addition to woodland gardens, where it can naturalize and add pops of color.
- Cottage gardens: Its charming flowers fit perfectly in cottage gardens.
- Containers: It can also be grown in containers on patios or balconies.
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.
Overall, Aquilegia x 'Early Bird Red Yellow' is a delightful and easy-to-grow perennial that will add a touch of whimsy and color to your garden. Its unique bi-colored flowers, compact size, and low-maintenance nature make it a great choice 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!
