Winky Rose and Rose Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris 'Winky Rose and Rose'

Nature Hills Nursery

Upright Pink Columbine Blooms with Rose-Red Petal Margins Award-Winning Winky Series
Thrives in Zones 3-9
Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 1 ft Wide
Showy Pink Blooms From Late Spring to Early Summer
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

$29⁵⁸

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: These perform best with about 4 to 6 hours of sun, favoring partial shade in hotter climates (Zones 7-9) to prolong the bloom time and prevent leaf scorch. In cooler zones, they handle full sun well as long as the soil remains moist.
Soil: Plant in rich, well-draining soil that stays evenly moist but never soggy. If you have heavy clay soil, mix in compost or peat moss to improve drainage, as wet "feet" will quickly rot the roots.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist during the first season to help the taproot establish. Once established, they have moderate drought tolerance, but inconsistent watering will cause the foliage to yellow or go dormant early in the summer. Mulching helps retain necessary moisture and keeps the roots cool.

Pruning Tips

Remove spent flower heads immediately after blooming to encourage a tidy appearance and potentially spur a smaller second flush of flowers. Since Columbine foliage often declines by late autumn, you can cut the stalks down to the basal foliage (the low clump of leaves near the ground) in Late Fall to keep the garden neat. This prevents the plant from using energy on seed production and redirects it to the roots.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring just as new green growth begins to emerge. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the season, as this promotes weak, leafy growth that produces fewer flowers and is easily damaged by winter frost.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Compact/Dwarf, Flowering, Attracts pollinators, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Butterflies, Container Friendly, Deer-resistant
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Upright
Blooms In	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	Pink
Foliage Color	Green
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name	Columbine
Botanical Name	Aquilegia vulgaris 'Winky Rose and Rose'
Species	vulgaris
Cultivar	Winky Rose and Rose
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

There is perhaps nothing that says spring better than our native Columbines. No matter your age...you'll get excited to see these perky flowers once again! Take a good, long look at the award-winning Winky Rose and Rose Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris 'Winky Rose and Rose')!

The intricate blooms are pretty in pink, with an elegantly outlined margin of rose red along each petal. The whole Winky series is a breakthrough for these beloved wildflowers! Each bloom is held upright, so your guests can easily see them! Hummingbirds adore the tubular access to the nectar held in knobby-spurred sepals. They'll visit many times over the weeks-long flowering display.

You'll want to include several of these double-rose-hued blooms to support the beneficial pollinators in your neighborhood with bountiful nectar. But...don't forget to sneak a few of these delicate blooms for yourself in flower arrangements indoors.

Both compact and improved cultivar features lobed, compound foliage. This mound-forming plant makes a charming springtime show, and gently fills in for a soft look. They'll resist powdery mildew and leaf miners, and this herbaceous perennial is cold-hardy throughout USDA growing zones 3 to 9!

Planting and Application:

Partner the "ephemeral" Winky Columbine with other perennials nearby to help hide the fading foliage when it withdraws in the peak of summer’s heat in growing zones 8 and 9. In a Cottage Garden, anything goes - including Helen Von Stein Lambs Ear, Hosta, Daylilies, or even Ornamental Grasses. Mass them in the border, or tuck them in rows into the edges of your garden landscape beds!

Use the vigorous, bushy Winky Rose and Rose Columbine in Rock Gardens, mixed perennial borders, and even in containers! They make a dynamic addition repeated along the edge of a dappled garden path. Nestle them at the base of garden sculptures for an elegant touch. They'll also bring an element of calm respite to Memorial Gardens.

If you have a little girl who wants to be a Fairy Princess when she grows up, plant them where she'll find them on a fun Nature Walk or in a Children's Garden. Start a collection of "cheap and cheerful" bud vases for her to place on her bedside table.

In fact, you could even pop them underneath fruiting bushes in your Victory Garden! Let them self-seed...they'll certainly be a charming way to entice pollinators to your flowering food crops.

Soft Rose Pink & Darker Pink
Long Lasting Fairy Flowers Are Great in Cut Flower Arrangements
Mound of Medium-Green, Finely Cut Foliage
Compact Cultivar of The Native Wildflower
Nectar-Rich Spurs For Pollinators & Hummingbirds!
Winner of the Coveted European Fleuroselect Quality Medal

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Plant this sweet little perennial in at least four to six hours of sunlight a day! In colder regions, it's fine to plant them in full sun. Give Columbine rich, well-drained soil. Elevate the planting if you have heavy clay soil that stays wet for a long time...or keep them in containers. During planting, add symbiotic Nature Hills Root Booster to support their tiny feeder roots. It never "wears out" but keeps helping them access water and micronutrients from the soil.

Water on a consistent, even basis as Columbines won't do as well in dry soils. Keep the soil cool and moist with a three-inch layer of mulch over the root system. Always pull mulch back away from directly touching the stems. Deadhead as flowers fade to encourage a rebloom and prune them back in late autumn during fall cleanup.

Full Sun to Partial Shade
Ultra Cold Hardy & Heat Tolerant
Moderate Regular Moisture
Widely Adaptable To Moist Well-Drained Soil
Deer and Rabbits Seldom Severely Damage Them
Improved Selection Resists Powdery Mildew

Delight in the outstanding blooms of Winky Rose and Rose Columbine! Order this celebrated cultivar today! Nature Hills expert growers take great care developing and shipping these special perennials. Order your Winky Rose and Rose Columbine today from Nature Hills, then track your sturdy box all the way to your doorstep.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Winky Rose hardy in zone 2 or colder winters?

Winky Rose Columbine is hardy in USDA zones 3-9, so it won't survive zone 2 winters. The plant needs at least zone 3 conditions to return reliably each spring. Consider it an annual in zone 2 or choose a hardier perennial for your garden.

How tall does Rose Columbine get with flowers included?

Rose Columbine reaches 12-15 inches tall when in bloom. This compact perennial produces upright flowers that are easily visible to both gardeners and hummingbirds throughout its weeks-long spring display in zones 3-9. Shop at Nature Hills for this award-winning cultivar.

What are the soil and watering requirements for Winky series plants?

Winky series Columbines thrive in well-draining soil with consistent moisture, especially during their spring blooming period. They prefer partial shade to full sun and are adaptable to various soil types. Water regularly but avoid soggy conditions, as good drainage prevents root rot in zones 3-9.

How do I plant Winky Rose Columbine after receiving it?

Plant in partial shade to full sun in well-draining soil after the last frost. This hardy perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and forms compact mounds. Space plants 12-15 inches apart and water thoroughly after planting to establish roots.

When does Winky Rose bloom, and how long does flowering last?

Winky Rose and Rose Columbine blooms in spring with flowers lasting several weeks. This native perennial puts on its main show during the cooler months, attracting hummingbirds throughout the extended flowering period. Shop at Nature Hills for this award-winning cultivar.

Is Winky Rose-Rose Columbine deer resistant or prone to pests?

Winky Rose and Rose Columbine resists powdery mildew and leaf miners but deer resistance isn't guaranteed. While columbines are generally less preferred by deer, protection may be needed in areas with heavy deer pressure.

Can Winky Columbine be grown in containers or rock gardens?

Winky Rose and Rose Columbine thrives in both containers and rock gardens throughout zones 3-9. This compact, mound-forming perennial's upright blooms and vigorous, bushy habit make it ideal for these applications. Plant in spring for weeks of pink and rose-red flowers that attract hummingbirds.

Winky Rose and Rose Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris 'Winky Rose and Rose'