Columbine (Aquilegia (Songbird Series) 'Cardinal')
Vibrant Aquilegia (Songbird Series) 'Cardinal' Columbine offers fiery red/white blooms in spring. Grows to 2 feet, perfect for cottage gardens.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The beautiful Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’ is a highly valued herbaceous perennial known for its striking spring display. This specific cultivar of Columbine features large, uniquely upward-facing flowers in a bold red and white bicolor combination, attracting garden interest early in the season. It maintains a compact, bushy habit, making it an excellent structural choice for various garden settings where vertical interest is desired.
As an F1 hybrid seed strain, Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’ offers reliable performance, thriving in average conditions across USDA Zones 3 through 9. Gardeners appreciate its somewhat fern-like, gray-green foliage which adds texture even when not in bloom, though this foliage may naturally decline by mid-summer. Proper care ensures this Columbine remains a showy feature in the perennial border.
This plant excels in adding vertical accents while offering a degree of pest resistance, notably tolerating deer and rabbits well. Positioning the Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’ where it receives protection from intense afternoon sun often yields the best long-term results for continuous foliage health throughout the growing season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Ranunculaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Red and white bicolor
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Plant Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’ in the spring or fall when soils are workable. This Columbine performs best in average, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Ensure the location provides full sun through early spring, but offers light to moderate shade during the hottest part of the summer afternoon, especially in warmer zones. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, provided they are not heavy or poorly drained.
Water needs are medium; keep the soil uniformly moist, particularly after the initial flush of bloom has finished, to encourage the foliage to remain attractive longer. While established plants are relatively low-maintenance, fertilizing is usually unnecessary if the soil is organically rich. Deadhead by removing spent flowering stems immediately after bloom concludes; this pruning action encourages the plant to produce more flowers.
If the foliage depreciates significantly after blooming, you may cut the entire plant back to the ground. Be mindful that seeds collected from garden-grown Columbine may not reliably produce seeds true to type due to potential cross-pollination with other Aquilegia varieties nearby. As an F1 hybrid, starting with nursery stock is the best way to ensure you receive the specific traits of Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’.
Landscape Uses
Columbine, including the compact Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’, is incredibly versatile in garden design. It serves beautifully in borders, providing airy structure just as spring bulbs fade. Its compact size makes it an excellent filler in rock gardens, adding height without bulk, or tucked into cottage gardens for that classic, romantic look.
For areas receiving dappled light, this variety suits open shade gardens or woodland garden margins perfectly, mimicking its native habitat conditions. Furthermore, its early flowers and form make it a proven selection for hummingbird gardens, offering nectar when many other sources are scarce. Ensure you continue watering plants post-bloom to support the foliage, which acts as effective ground cover until later in the season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Aquilegia is a genus of about 70 species of herbaceous perennials from the Northern Hemisphere, with the genus name relating to the eagle’s talon due to the flower spurs. Common name of granny’s bonnet is in reference to the spreading bonnet-like appearance of the flower petals. The striking ‘Cardinal’ cultivar features large, long-spurred, upward-facing, red and white bicolor flowers up to 3 inches wide on plants typically reaching 20-28 inches tall. The Songbird Series is specifically noted for combining a compact habit with these desirable upward-facing blooms.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
Potential Problems
The most commonly noted issue with Aquilegia is susceptibility to leaf miner, which creates unsightly tunnels in the foliage. Aphids may occasionally be present, but are usually a lesser concern than mining insects. Potential disease issues include leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust, often exacerbated by poor air circulation or excessive overhead watering. To manage decline, remember that the foliage of Columbine naturally depreciates by mid-summer; at this point, cutting the plant back to the ground resolves aesthetic issues and allows you to enjoy the late-season ground cover effect of regrowth if kept watered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Columbine suitable for?
Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’ is remarkably hardy, thriving across USDA Zones 3 through 9.
How large does Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’ grow?
This perennial typically reaches a mature height between 1.5 and 2 feet, with a spread of 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
When does Columbine bloom?
This variety of Columbine produces its signature red and white bicolor flowers in the spring, generally blooming from April to May.
What sun exposure does Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’ need?
It performs best in locations receiving full sun to light, protective part shade.
Conclusion
The Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’ offers exceptional value with its dynamic red and white coloring and manageable, compact size perfect for mid-border planting. This resilient Columbine provides crucial early-season interest and handles common garden pests like deer effectively. Check your local USDA hardiness zone compatibility and plan to incorporate this vibrant perennial into your next spring garden installation.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’, focus on plants that appreciate similar moisture levels and sun exposure, particularly species that tolerate afternoon shade. Good choices include Hostas, which offer broad, contrasting foliage textures, and various spring bulbs that fill in space before the Columbine reaches its full height. Ferns or Astilbes work well in shadier locations, complementing the fine, airy texture of the Aquilegia’s gray-green leaves.
Design Ideas
For a classic cottage garden look, interplant Aquilegia (Songbird Series) ‘Cardinal’ with peonies, Oriental poppies, and German irises. This layering ensures continuous bloom succession throughout late spring and early summer. In a more contemporary setting, use its striking vertical flowers against masses of low-growing silver foliage plants, allowing the red and white blooms to truly pop against a cooler backdrop. Ensure planting locations allow for easy access for the crucial summer cut-back when foliage naturally deteriorates.
