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.
Blooming before Columbine opens
Camellia
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in midwinter, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 6.6 ft, for the layer behind it; they only overlap in zones 7 to 8.
Witch Hazel
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; taller at 9.8 ft, for the layer behind it; both are native plants.
Snowdrop
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; lower at 5 in, for the front of the border; its white flowers settle the purple.
Taking over as Columbine finishes
Northern Sea Oats
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in midsummer as this one finishes; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Summersweet
Shares part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in midsummer as this one finishes; taller at 5.9 ft, for the layer behind it; both are native plants.
Cardinal Flower
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in midsummer as this one finishes; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it; both are native plants.
Blooming alongside
Hellebore
Shares part shade and moderate water; opens in late winter and overlaps into this one's season; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Christmas Fern
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; both are native plants.