Companion plants for Columbine
Columbine blooms from April through June. It wants part shade and moderate water. The 8 companion pairings below each state why the pairing works.
Taking over as Columbine finishes
Northern Sea Oats
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in midsummer as this one finishes; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
Rosebay Rhododendron
Shares part shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into late summer; both are strong pollinator plants; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Zigzag Goldenrod
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late summer, extending the bed's season; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
American Wintergreen
Shares part shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into midsummer; both are strong pollinator plants; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Blue Wood Aster
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late summer, extending the bed's season; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
Earth Angel Hosta
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in midsummer as this one finishes; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; taller at 3.5 ft, for the layer behind it.
Blooming alongside
Tall Oregon Grape
Shares part shade and moderate water; opens in early spring and overlaps into this one's season; both are strong pollinator plants; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Snowdrop
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; lower at 5 in, for the front of the border.