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Exclusive. Swallowtail is unique with large, long-spurred flowers with bright-yellow center petals and softer yellow outer petals, held over attractive blue-green foliage. Late spring blooming, the flowers have amazing 4 inch long spurs flowing backward from the face of the flower. A High Country Gardens introduction.
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low
temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will
survive the winter temperatures in your area.
If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack
of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).
Green Thumb Award Winner 2000 24" tall x 18" wide (seed propagated). Certainly one of the most spectacular of our native columbines. 'Swallowtail' has huge bi-colored yellow and sweeping 4-4 1/2" long spurs. The flowers appear in late spring and are held on sturdy stems above the mound of blue to blue-green foliage. Plant in full sun or part sun in compost enriched soil. Water regularly.
More Information
Associated SKUs
HC016091 HC013943 (Plant - 2.5" Pot) - Out of stock. HC013944 (Plant - 5" Deep Pot) - Out of stock.
Common Name
Swallowtail ® Columbine
Botanical Name
Aquilegia species
Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Light Requirements
Full Sun, Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade, Full Shade
Flower Color
Yellow
Mature Height
24" tall
Mature Spread
18" wide
Bloom Time
Late spring to mid summer
Ships As
Potted Plant
Soil Type
Compost Enriched Garden Loam Soil
Soil Moisture
Average
Advantages
Attract Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant, Native, Extended Bloom Time (more than 4 weeks), Rabbit Resistant
Awards
Green Thumb
Special Groups
High Country Gardens Exclusive, High Country Gardens Introduction
Ideal Region
Anywhere In The US, West, Southwest, Hot Desert, Pacific Northwest, Coastal California
Growing Aquilegia (Columbine) Aquilegia (Columbine) are native, shade loving perennials that provide ample nectar for hummingbirds. They are resistant to browsing rabbits and deer.
Preferred growing conditions
These perennials grow best in compost enriched garden loam and dislike clay.
Should be mulched in dry climates with most types of common mulch materials.
Prefer regular watering to keep the soil moderately moist, but too much water makes them floppy.
Plant in part sun (morning sun/afternoon shade) or dappled shade, although at high elevation (above 7,000 ft.) they will do fine in full sun with regular irrigation. Aquilegia chrysantha and A. desertorum are the most sun tolerant.
Prepare the soil with good quality compost (not bagged manure, it’s too salty) and Yum Yum Mix.
Special comments
Deadhead plants to prolong bloom, but leave some flowers to set seed.
Individual Columbine plants can be short lived (3 to 4 years), but they will colonize areas of the garden where they will live for many years.
Columbine propagate themselves by re-seeding. To keep them re-seeding true-to-type, it's best to plant each species separate from other species (at least 100 ft. apart or on other sides of your house) to keep the hummingbirds from cross-pollinating them to any great extent.
Garden care:
Fertilize Aquilegia once in fall with Yum Yum Mix and Planters II.
Leave plants standing over the winter and cut back to 1-2" inches above the soil in mid-spring when the plants begin to wake up.
If the foliage becomes damaged from leaf miners or becomes straggly during the heat of summer, cut the foliage back hard (2-3" above the ground) and the plants will re-grow fresh, clean foliage in late summer/early fall.
View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
No longer available this season.
As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat. The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.
Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.
Shipping Rates
Our shipping rates are calculated based on our actual average shipping costs. We do not seek to profit from shipping fees, so rest assured that our shipping rates reflect an average of what it costs to get our guaranteed products safely to your door.
US Shipping Charges
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$100 and Over
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Canadian Shipping Charges
Merchandise
Shipping Charges
Up to $24.99
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$19.95
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$39.95
We charge one low flat rate for shipping our products even if your order requires multiple shipments. If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 925-9387.
