Swan Red and White Columbine Aquilegia 'Swan Red and White' Plant Height: 18 inches Flower Height: 24 inches Spread: 15 inches
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Hardiness Zone: 2b Other Names: Wild Columbine, Granny's Bonnet Group/Class: Swan Series Brand: PanAmerican Seed Description: Showy, large red nodding flowers with white centers on slender stems with long, graceful spurs; makes for long lasting cutflowers; good for naturalizing partially shaded areas, also deer resistant Ornamental Features Swan Red and White Columbine features bold nodding red bell-shaped flowers with white overtones, yellow eyes and white spurs at the ends of the stems from mid spring to early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its ferny compound leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the season. Landscape Attributes Swan Red and White Columbine is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration; Swan Red and White Columbine is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Swan Red and White Columbine will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 24 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 15 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 6 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen! This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. Swan Red and White Columbine is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
