Texan Magazine
By Marc Hess, Editor of Gardening South Texas
“One of my favorite plants is “Texas Gold” columbine because it grows best in mottled shade under deciduous trees, at the edge of landscapes or under high live oak crowns. In addition to the great blooms, “Texas Gold” columbines are a good ground cover for shady areas. They are attractive in the spring, autumn, and winter.”
~ Dr. Calvin Finch, horticulturalist and retired Director of Water Conservation and Technology at the Texas A&M University System.
Larkspurs and columbines are two spring blooming plants that you can naturalize in your landscape. Larkspurs bloom in March and April. The pink, blue white and purple flowers spikes can be four feet tall on good soils. As the flowers on the spike die, they drop seeds that will germinate next year. In early spring your larkspurs can outgrow the largest, sturdiest snapdragon, so be prepared to thin out those that are overwhelming other flowers that you want to keep blooming. “Texas Gold” columbines bloom in March and are a favorite of the migrating hummingbirds. They are perennials with yellow shooting star blooms that rise above the lush soft green foliage. The foliage of “Texas Gold” columbine resembles maidenhair fern. It is attractive in the spring, autumn, and winter. You will have no trouble finding both larkspurs and “Texas Gold” columbines it your nurseries this time of year.
Larkspurs
Larkspurs will spike up your cool weather garden with feathery leaves and layers of thumbnail- sized flowers that attract lots of bees. Larkspurs are super easy to grow. Sprinkle them around perennials that go dormant in winter for pop-out color until warm weather bloomers return.
Swaths of larkspurs are totally lovely, but thin crowds to allow ample airflow in humid springs. Plant them eighteen inches apart for maximum bloom development. Although water is welcome, don’t over water. Blooming for weeks outside, you can regularly cut a few of their lovely spikes and bring them indoors or to dry. After flowering, let the seed pods turn brown. Dry and store them in a cool place then scatter the seeds in the autumn for pop-up surprises next year.
You will see larkspurs used in garden beds bringing early color to your spring garden while your other bedding plants are just getting started. Because they are strong and dense they can be used to create a strong border statement as well. They also make an excellent cut flower for fresh or dried arrangements inside your house.
“Texas Gold” Columbine
There are almost 100 flowers globally that are technically “columbines” and belong to the plant genus Aquilegia. These flowers come from regions across the globe, mainly in Europe and North America. “Texas Gold” columbine is a Texas native from the Big Bend region and has been designated a a Texas Superstar™ plant by the AgriLife Extension Service of Texas A&M.
“Texas Gold” columbine produces bright sunny yellow flowers from mid to late spring. These are perennials with yellow shooting star blooms that rise above the lush soft green foliage. Morning sun and filtered midday shade seem to make this a good choice for east facing sites that are shaded in the hottest portion of the day in hot summer climate regions. These prolific bloomers can be used to create borders in your landscape, they create a great back drop for your garden beds and do well standing on their own in open shade gardens, rock gardens or in other naturalized areas. Also they are a good selection for a hummingbird garden. These hardy beauties will make a beautiful addition to your spring garden!
