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Columbine ‘Dragonfly Mix’ (Aquilegia, Heirloom Perennial) - Aquilegia caerulea
A blend of graceful, long-spurred blooms in shades of sapphire blue, rose, ivory, and violet—dancing on slender stems like dragonflies in spring sunlight.
Why We Love It in Pennsylvania
The Dragonfly Mix brings color and charm to every corner of the garden, thriving in our cool Pennsylvania springs and bright woodland edges. Its elegant, nodding blooms sway gently in the breeze, drawing pollinators—especially hummingbirds and bumblebees—from early May through June. Hardy in Zones 3–8, these perennials bloom year after year, self-sowing lightly for a natural, cottage-garden feel. Whether planted along fences, stone paths, or shaded flower borders, they return faithfully, even through our frosty winters and humid summers.
A Living Link to Our Agricultural Past
Columbine has been a favorite of American gardeners since the 18th century, when its wild cousins grew freely along the Appalachians. The Dragonfly Mix recalls the Victorian passion for color and form, when gardeners prized intricate blossoms for cutting and ornament. In old seed catalogs, it was called “the flower of fairy wings”—a perfect emblem for the delicate beauty found in old-fashioned gardens. Planting it now keeps that tradition alive: nature’s art, grown by hand.
Quick Facts
Type: Heirloom perennial (self-seeding)
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Height/Spread: 24–30" tall × 12–18" wide
Colors: Mixed shades of blue, violet, rose, pink, white, and bi-colored tones
Habit: Airy, upright growth; fern-like foliage
Best For: Pollinator gardens, borders, and shaded cottage beds
How to Grow Columbine ‘Dragonfly Mix’ in PA
When to Plant
Start Indoors: 8–10 weeks before last frost (mid-February–March in most of PA).
Direct Sow: After frost, or sow in fall for natural cold stratification.
Transplant Outdoors: Once danger of frost has passed (late April–May).
(In northern counties, wait until soil warms slightly and frost risk is past.)
Site & Soil
Light: Full sun to partial shade. Prefers morning sun and dappled afternoon light.
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with pH 6.0–7.0.
Moisture: Moderate, consistent moisture; avoid waterlogging.
Sowing & Germination
Seed Depth: Lightly press into soil; requires light for germination.
Germination Time: 20–30 days at 60–65°F.
Tip:Cold stratify for 3 weeks before sowing for best germination.
Care Tips
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming and maintain neatness.
Allow some flowers to set seed for self-sowing and natural spreading.
Thin or transplant young seedlings in fall to expand your bed.
Foliage can be trimmed back after bloom to refresh growth.
Common PA Challenges
Leaf miners: Remove affected leaves; avoid overhead watering.
Powdery mildew: Space for airflow, mulch lightly, and avoid crowding.
Short-lived plants: Columbine lives 2–3 years but self-seeds freely—letting you enjoy it for decades.
In the Garden
The Dragonfly Mix paints the garden in a watercolor wash of soft pastels and rich jewel tones. Perfect for woodland edges, cottage borders, and pollinator patches, its blooms flutter above the leaves like tiny wings in motion. Pair it with foxglove, bleeding heart, and forget-me-nots for a classic heritage border alive with bees and hummingbirds.
What You’ll Receive (Gowan Heritage Seeds)
Approx. seeds per packet: ~50
Germination: Tested and packed for high viability
Non-GMO, untreated, open-pollinated
Packed For Year & Lot: Printed on packet for traceability
Gowan Heritage Note: We honor Pennsylvania’s seed-saving roots by choosing proven heirlooms, maintaining up-to-date germination tests, and sharing planting windows that match our local seasons—so your garden keeps the story growing.
A blend of graceful, long-spurred blooms in shades of sapphire blue, rose, ivory, and violet—dancing on slender stems like dragonflies in spring sunlight.
Why We Love It in Pennsylvania
The Dragonfly Mix brings color and charm to every corner of the garden, thriving in our cool Pennsylvania springs and bright woodland edges. Its elegant, nodding blooms sway gently in the breeze, drawing pollinators—especially hummingbirds and bumblebees—from early May through June. Hardy in Zones 3–8, these perennials bloom year after year, self-sowing lightly for a natural, cottage-garden feel. Whether planted along fences, stone paths, or shaded flower borders, they return faithfully, even through our frosty winters and humid summers.
A Living Link to Our Agricultural Past
Columbine has been a favorite of American gardeners since the 18th century, when its wild cousins grew freely along the Appalachians. The Dragonfly Mix recalls the Victorian passion for color and form, when gardeners prized intricate blossoms for cutting and ornament. In old seed catalogs, it was called “the flower of fairy wings”—a perfect emblem for the delicate beauty found in old-fashioned gardens. Planting it now keeps that tradition alive: nature’s art, grown by hand.
Quick Facts
Type: Heirloom perennial (self-seeding)
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Height/Spread: 24–30" tall × 12–18" wide
Colors: Mixed shades of blue, violet, rose, pink, white, and bi-colored tones
Habit: Airy, upright growth; fern-like foliage
Best For: Pollinator gardens, borders, and shaded cottage beds
How to Grow Columbine ‘Dragonfly Mix’ in PA
When to Plant
Start Indoors: 8–10 weeks before last frost (mid-February–March in most of PA).
Direct Sow: After frost, or sow in fall for natural cold stratification.
Transplant Outdoors: Once danger of frost has passed (late April–May).
(In northern counties, wait until soil warms slightly and frost risk is past.)
Site & Soil
Light: Full sun to partial shade. Prefers morning sun and dappled afternoon light.
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with pH 6.0–7.0.
Moisture: Moderate, consistent moisture; avoid waterlogging.
Sowing & Germination
Seed Depth: Lightly press into soil; requires light for germination.
Germination Time: 20–30 days at 60–65°F.
Tip:Cold stratify for 3 weeks before sowing for best germination.
Care Tips
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming and maintain neatness.
Allow some flowers to set seed for self-sowing and natural spreading.
Thin or transplant young seedlings in fall to expand your bed.
Foliage can be trimmed back after bloom to refresh growth.
Common PA Challenges
Leaf miners: Remove affected leaves; avoid overhead watering.
Powdery mildew: Space for airflow, mulch lightly, and avoid crowding.
Short-lived plants: Columbine lives 2–3 years but self-seeds freely—letting you enjoy it for decades.
In the Garden
The Dragonfly Mix paints the garden in a watercolor wash of soft pastels and rich jewel tones. Perfect for woodland edges, cottage borders, and pollinator patches, its blooms flutter above the leaves like tiny wings in motion. Pair it with foxglove, bleeding heart, and forget-me-nots for a classic heritage border alive with bees and hummingbirds.
What You’ll Receive (Gowan Heritage Seeds)
Approx. seeds per packet: ~50
Germination: Tested and packed for high viability
Non-GMO, untreated, open-pollinated
Packed For Year & Lot: Printed on packet for traceability
Gowan Heritage Note: We honor Pennsylvania’s seed-saving roots by choosing proven heirlooms, maintaining up-to-date germination tests, and sharing planting windows that match our local seasons—so your garden keeps the story growing.