To understand which plants make good companions for us, columbines (Aquilegia spp.), one must first appreciate our fundamental nature. We are primarily woodland edge and meadow plants, thriving in conditions that mirror our native habitats. We prefer well-drained soil that is consistently moist but never waterlogged, and we flourish in partial shade to full sun, depending on the climate. Our root systems are fibrous and relatively shallow, meaning we do not compete aggressively with deep-rooted neighbors. Our most distinctive features are our intricate, spurred flowers that bloom in spring to early summer and our attractive, lobed, often blue-green foliage that can remain appealing after the blooms have faded. Therefore, ideal companions are those that share our cultural requirements without overwhelming us, and that complement our form and bloom time.
In shadier garden spots, we columbines appreciate companions that help maintain a cool root run and consistent soil moisture. Hostas (Hosta spp.) are excellent partners. Their broad, lush leaves create a living mulch at the soil surface, reducing evaporation and suppressing weeds. The textural contrast between their bold foliage and our more delicate, fern-like leaves is visually striking. Similarly, Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.) are perfect neighbors. Not only do they share our love for well-drained soil and partial shade, but their incredible range of foliage colors—from lime green to deep purple to silver—provides a stunning backdrop or contrast to our nodding flowers. The airy flower spikes of Heuchera that appear in late spring extend the floral interest in our shared bed.
Spring is our time to shine, and we enjoy the company of other plants that bloom concurrently. The upright spires of Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) create a dramatic vertical element behind our mounding habit. Their speckled throats often harmonize beautifully with the bi-colored nature of our own blooms. For the front of the border, the low-growing, carpet-like spread of Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) is ideal. It blooms profusely just as we are beginning our display, creating a colorful "skirt" around our base. After our flowers fade, the phlox's evergreen mat continues to hold the ground. Another excellent partner is the classic Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis). Its arching stems of heart-shaped flowers and soft foliage echo our own romantic, cottage-garden aesthetic and thrive in similar light conditions.
Since our flowering period is finite, we value companions that provide visual interest before and after our show. Ferns, such as the Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum), are superb choices for shade to part-shade locations. Their elegant, often silver-variegated fronds emerge early and remain attractive long after our seed pods have formed, filling the space with texture and color. For sunnier locations, the silvery, woolly leaves of Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) provide a fantastic tactile and visual contrast to our foliage. Its low-growing habit helps cover the ground, and the soft color makes the hues of our flowers—be they blue, pink, red, or yellow—pop with greater intensity.
From a plant's perspective, good companions can also be those that contribute to a healthier garden ecosystem. While we are not heavily plagued by pests, we can benefit from neighbors that attract beneficial insects. Planting us near Alliums, such as ornamental onions (Allium spp.), can be advantageous. Their spherical flower heads attract pollinators that will also visit our blooms, and their pungent scent is believed to deter certain pests like aphids. The strong vertical forms of Alliums also provide a striking architectural contrast to our more whimsical shape, creating a dynamic and healthy planting partnership.
