Aquilegia 'Crimson Star' Columbine
Best shade-loving perennial for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly color.
The Aquilegia 'Crimson Star' Columbine is a captivating perennial, reaching up to 3 feet tall with fern-like foliage. Its striking, long-spurred blooms in shades of red and white appear in spring, adding vibrant color to any garden. This variety is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and its flowers are perfect for cutting. It thrives in partial shade to full shade, preferring moist, well-drained soil. Deer resistant and low maintenance, it naturalizes easily, making it an ideal choice for borders, rock gardens, and woodland settings.
$20.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1072
/ 2693
#1072 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-52%
Below average
SKU
444665
/ -PK-
Who it's for
- Shade-garden owners needing reliable, low-maintenance color
- Gardeners seeking a high-impact, colorful focal point
- Wildlife enthusiasts wanting to attract hummingbirds
Who should skip it
- Gardeners looking for season-long, continuous flowering
- Gardeners unwilling to monitor or treat for leaf miners
- People wanting long-lived, permanent landscape fixtures
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Appeal
A reliable magnet for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies all season long.
Shade Tolerance
Thrives in darker garden corners where many other perennials struggle.
Maintenance Effort
Low-fuss growth habits make this an ideal choice for busy gardeners.
Deer Resistance
Reliably ignored by local wildlife, protecting your landscape investment.
Visual Impact
Striking bi-color blooms provide high-contrast drama for spring borders.
Cut Flower Utility
Long-spurred stems offer elegant structure for fresh indoor arrangements.
Key Specs
SKU
44466-PK-5
Genus
Aquilegia
Variety
'Crimson Star'
Item Form
Bareroot
Bloom Color
Red, Multi-Color, Light Pink
Foliage Color
Medium Green
Hardiness Zones
3 - 8
Shipping Restrictions
GU, PR, VI
Features
- Striking red and white bell-shaped blooms
- Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Excellent for cut flower arrangements
- Deer resistant and low maintenance
- Tolerates shade well
- Naturalizes easily in garden settings
- Encourages re-blooming with deadheading
- Fern-like foliage adds texture
What customers say
Gardeners rave about the Crimson Star Columbine, consistently praising its exceptional quality and striking visual appeal. Reviewers highlight its healthy arrival and quick establishment, showcasing excellent vigor and reliability. The unique crimson and white design is a standout feature, providing vibrant color that truly elevates garden spaces. This combination of stunning aesthetics and dependable performance makes it a highly valued addition for those seeking beautiful, resilient blooms that enhance their gardens with dependable beauty.
Know before you buy
This variety performs best in partial to full shade. While it can handle some morning sun, it prefers protection from the intense afternoon heat to keep its foliage and blooms looking their best.
Yes, 'Crimson Star' is a hardy perennial in zones 3 through 8. It is known for naturalizing easily, meaning it will return each spring and can gradually spread to fill in your garden beds.
To promote re-blooming, simply deadhead the spent flowers by snipping off the faded stems. This prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production and encourages it to push out more blooms.
While no plant is completely immune to hungry wildlife, 'Crimson Star' is generally avoided by deer. Its fern-like foliage and unique bloom structure are typically not preferred by deer, making it a reliable choice for gardens prone to browsing.
Plant your bareroot in moist, well-drained soil at a depth of 1.5 to 2 inches. Space each plant about 15 inches apart to ensure they have enough room to reach their mature spread of 18 inches.
Absolutely. The long-spurred, red and white blooms hold up well as cut flowers, making them a beautiful and unique addition to spring bouquets.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$21