{"product_id":"earlybird-purple-white-columbine","title":"Earlybird Purple White Columbine","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Hummingbird-Magnet Columbine for Twin Cities Spring Gardens\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarlybird Purple White Columbine (Aquilegia 'Earlybird Purple White') is one of the first perennials to bloom in the Minnesota garden, opening bright purple-and-white spurred flowers in late spring when most plants are barely waking up. It stays compact and tidy, and it's about as winter-hardy as a perennial gets. Whether you're brightening a part-shade border in Edina, layering a woodland bed in Minnetonka, or filling the front of a perennial planting in Maple Grove — Earlybird Columbine delivers early color and draws hummingbirds to zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEarlybird Purple White Columbine Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAquilegia 'Earlybird Purple White'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColumbine, Granny's Bonnet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9–11 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — forms a tidy clump and self-sows lightly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade. Afternoon shade is welcome during hot spells.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAverage. Consistent moisture the first year; established plants handle normal rainfall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Prefers loose, organic, well-draining soil — amend with compost at planting.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — delicate, lacy blue-green leaves; dies back for winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F. One of the toughest perennials you can plant in Minnesota.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately deer-resistant; rabbits usually pass it by.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright purple-and-white long-spurred flowers, late spring to early summer; a hummingbird favorite.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEarlybird Purple White Columbine Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEarly-season color in shade borders\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColumbine blooms weeks ahead of most perennials, bringing color under the mature maples and oaks found across the Twin Cities while the rest of the bed is still filling in. Plant 10–12 inches apart for a soft drift of spring color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHummingbird and pollinator gardens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe long-spurred flowers are built for hummingbirds and feed early-season native bees when little else is open. A natural fit for a Lawns to Legumes pollinator planting in Bloomington or Woodbury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWoodland and cottage-garden edging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lacy blue-green foliage stays attractive long after the flowers fade, making Columbine a tidy edger along a shaded path. Pair it with hostas and ferns for a layered woodland look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Earlybird Purple White Columbine in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May) is the second-best window — the plant gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter, and you'll often catch the first flush of bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Earlybird Purple White Columbine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep. 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container. Heavy clay benefits from even wider digging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck drainage. Fill the hole with water — if it doesn't drain within 30 minutes, mound-plant or break through any clay hardpan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil plus 20–30% compost. Minnesota clay-loam benefits from organic amendment, but don't create a pure-compost pocket.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace plants 10–12 inches apart for drifts; set the crown level with the surrounding soil — never buried.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a shallow water basin to direct water to the roots, then flatten it before winter to avoid ice pooling on the crown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2 inches deep with shredded bark or wood chips, kept an inch away from the stems. Do not use gravel mulch in Minnesota.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Earlybird Purple White Columbine in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–20 minutes per plant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages ~3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro) to avoid pushing tender late-season growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished plants only need supplemental water during droughts (2+ weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Water deeply and infrequently — every 7–14 days during dry spells. Let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Earlybird Columbine survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasily — it is reliably hardy to zone 3, well below Twin Cities winter lows. A 2-inch mulch layer protects the crown from freeze-thaw heaving in its first winter; after that it needs no special protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it really attract hummingbirds?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The spurred, nectar-rich flowers are a classic early-season hummingbird draw and also feed emerging native bees before most other perennials bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much sun does Columbine need in Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun to part shade both work. In hotter, open sites give it afternoon shade to extend the bloom and keep the foliage fresh. It's one of the few early bloomers that's happy under high tree canopy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs columbine deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerately. Deer and rabbits usually leave it alone, though no plant is fully deer-proof in high-pressure suburbs like Minnetonka or Eden Prairie during a hard winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShade Garden Plants — for beds under mature oak and maple canopy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePollinator Garden Plants — supports the Lawns to Legumes program\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Earlybird Purple White Columbine Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompact at 8–10 inches wide, this columbine reads best massed in drifts. Plant on 10–12 inch centers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun \/ Area Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (11 in apart)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft edge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft edge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft edge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e33 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft edge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e44 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGroup in clusters of 3–5 for the most natural spring show.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEarlybird Purple White Columbine Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright purple-and-white long-spurred flowers open late spring into early summer — one of the first nectar sources for hummingbirds and emerging native bees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowering tapers off; the delicate blue-green foliage stays attractive as an edger and may rest in the heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cool air keeps the lacy foliage fresh along shaded paths and foundation beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dies back fully and overwinters with ease — reliable to roughly -40°F, one of the toughest perennials you can plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Shade-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/earlybird-purple-blue-columbine\"\u003eEarlybird Purple and Blue Columbine\u003c\/a\u003e — blue-toned partner that blooms the same early season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/earlybird-red-yellow-columbine\"\u003eEarlybird Red and Yellow Columbine\u003c\/a\u003e — warm sunset tones to play off the cool purple.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/japanese-painted-fern\"\u003eJapanese Painted Fern\u003c\/a\u003e — silvery fronds layer beautifully in the same shade bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexandria-brunnera\"\u003eAlexandria Brunnera\u003c\/a\u003e — frosted foliage and blue spring flowers for a woodland look.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Earlybird Purple White Columbine Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates Minnesota clay-loam amended with compost, asking only for even moisture its first year. Ideal under mature maples and oaks. Not a fit if the site bakes in all-day sun with no afternoon shade and dries out between waterings.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54230600319281,"sku":null,"price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Earlybird_Purple_White_Columbine_1.jpg?v=1779074405","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/earlybird-purple-white-columbine","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}