Winky Purple & White Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris 'Winky Purple & White'

Nature Hills Nursery

Upward-Facing Purple & White Blooms Stay Open for Easy Viewing and Cutting
Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 1 ft Wide
Showy Purple, White Blooms From Late Spring to Early Summer
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

$29⁵¹

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Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This Columbine thrives in full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving about 4 to 6 hours of light. In hotter climates, providing afternoon shade prevents the foliage from burning and keeps the purple and white blooms looking crisp.
Soil: Aim for moist, well drained soil rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay, mix in some compost or aged bark to improve drainage, as these plants dislike sitting in soggy "wet feet" which can lead to crown rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Columbine twice a week to help the roots settle into their new home. Once established, they are moderately drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during the heat of summer can lead to dormant, yellowing leaves. Keep the soil consistently moist like a wrung out sponge to ensure the plant continues to produce those upright, bicolor flowers.

Pruning Tips

Winky Purple & White blooms on old wood, so it is best to wait until the flowering ends in early summer before you pick up the shears. Deadhead the spent blooms down to the basal foliage to encourage a possible second flush of flowers and to prevent the plant from dropping seeds everywhere. Think of it like a refreshing haircut that keeps the plant looking tidy and focuses its energy on root health rather than seed production.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the new green growth begins to emerge. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this can stimulate soft, tender growth that won't be hardy enough to survive the first hard frost. A simple application of compost around the base of the plant once a year is often all this efficient feeder needs to thrive.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

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.

Load up on gorgeous flowers to start off the season! Spring-blooming Winky Purple & White Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris 'Winky Purple & White') delivers a huge impact for many, many weeks! Perky purple and white blooms face straight up...a rare and welcome feat for these beloved wildflowers!

Hummingbirds adore these special blooms with nutritious nectar held in the knobby-spurred sepals. Watch as they visit time and time again! Their upright habit makes it far easier to study the intricate, open petals with showy white margins. Grow plenty to use as cut flowers where they'll last for weeks in arrangements indoors! Try a sweet, single bloom in a cut crystal bud vase to delight your indoor tablescapes.

This improved cultivar features a nice, compact mound of deeply lobed, compound foliage. Medium green leaves set off the pretty blooms to perfection, without growing out of bounds. Surprisingly versatile, Winky Purple & White Columbine makes a charming display year after year. Don't be surprised to see them self-seed in new spots here and there in your yard. We say... enjoy the gift from Mother Nature! Or, pot the seedlings up as a May Day present, if you prefer!

Planting and Application:

Let Winky Purple & White shine in a modern Cottage Garden or formal perennial borders! Their deliciously rich purple hues add a sophisticated touch to your spring landscape. Plant them en masse to make the most of their charming good looks!

Have fun with these special plants. They work at the edge of garden borders and in Rock Gardens, with a tidy mound of fine-textured foliage and purple blooms fit for a Fairy Princess. No wonder kids are drawn to these beautiful blooms! Surprise them in spring with delightfully unexpected plantings.

Columbine needs a partner plant to pass the baton by mid-summer and their delicate leaves can die back in the face of the peak summer sun. Plant Coneflower, Butterfly Bush, or Baptisia nearby to take over for summertime blooms. Create amusing vignettes with stone frogs, Fairy statues, or gazing balls. Plant in "found objects" like a pair of old garden boots or vintage kitchen sinks that have holes drilled for drainage.

Plant them around the corner, just out of sight. Tuck them here and there along a wayward garden path, and let your garden visitors "discover" them with glee!

They make a great addition to Cutting Gardens! You'll also be pleased if you plant them near your fruiting bushes in a Victory Garden to entice pollinators. In a small space garden, create a narrow planting bed for Winky blooms to play around in, or pot them up in container gardens as lovely accents and lacy filler!

Beautiful Wildflower Cultivar
Snowy, White-Tipped Petals With Rich Purple Elongated Sepals
Unique Bloom Face Upright
Incredible Hummingbird Resource & Butterflies Love Them, Too
Long-Lasting Flowers Look Great for Many Weeks
Finely Cut, Mounded Foliage
Gorgeous Edging & Accents, Containers, Bed & Border Specimens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

While they may look tender and delicate...Columbine is actually quite a rugged perennial! Enjoy these incredible flowering perennials in rich, well-drained soil. This durable variety can happily grow in full sun or partial shade and is well-known for its ability to resist powdery mildew and leaf miners. They won't tolerate standing water, so if your planting site stays soggy a long time after rain...create a raised bed for planting.

Support all your plants their whole life long with Nature Hills Root Booster. Give their tiny feeder roots a symbiotic relationship with long-lasting mycorrhizal fungus to access water and micronutrients from the soil. Winky likes mulch over the roots, but please pull it back away from touching the top of the crown. Give them water on a consistent basis. If you prefer, you can Deadhead the flowers, then trim back the foliage in either late summer or late autumn.

Carefree & Easy to Grow in Full Sun to Partial Shade
Well-Drained Soil & Regular Moisture
Appreciates Mulched Beds
Deadhead After Flowers Fade & Prune Late Autumn
Deer & Rabbits Don't Relish the Taste
Extremely Cold Hardy, Versatile & Resists Powdery Mildew

Life is short! Celebrate it with the graceful drama and easy-peasy nature of Winky Purple & Wild Columbine. Order yours today from Nature Hills and we'll ship at the right time for planting in your area.

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Growing Zones 3-8

Find Your Growing Zone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones can Winky Purple & White Columbine grow in?

Winky Purple & White Columbine thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. This spring-blooming perennial handles cold winters well and returns reliably each year. Plant in partial shade areas where it won't face intense summer heat.

Does Winky Purple & White Columbine prefer full sun, partial shade, or full shade?

Winky Purple & White Columbine thrives in partial shade, as its delicate leaves can die back under peak summer sun. This spring bloomer performs best with morning sun and afternoon protection. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy plants that will naturalize beautifully in your garden.

How often should I water my newly planted Winky Purple & White Columbine?

Water newly planted Winky Purple & White Columbine deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month. These spring bloomers prefer consistent moisture but not waterlogged soil. Once established, they're quite drought tolerant and only need supplemental watering during dry spells.

When does Winky Purple & White Columbine typically bloom and for how long?

Winky Purple & White Columbine blooms in spring for many weeks, delivering extended color early in the season. The upward-facing purple and white flowers provide excellent cut flower material that lasts weeks indoors. Plant companion perennials like Coneflower nearby to continue blooms after Columbine finishes by mid-summer.

Will deer eat my Winky Purple & White Columbine plants?

Deer typically avoid columbine due to its bitter taste and toxic compounds. Winky Purple & White Columbine is considered deer resistant, making it a reliable choice for gardens where deer browsing is a concern. Shop at Nature Hills for this spring-blooming perennial that deer leave alone.

Can Winky Purple & White Columbine be grown successfully in containers?

Winky Purple & White Columbine grows well in containers with its compact mounded habit. The fine-textured foliage and upright blooms make excellent patio displays. Use well-draining potting mix and expect spring blooms for many weeks. Plan companion plants to fill containers after columbine's mid-summer dieback.

Does this variety self-seed or spread naturally in the garden?

Yes, Winky Purple & White Columbine readily self-seeds and will naturalize throughout your garden. You'll likely discover new seedlings popping up in unexpected spots each spring. You can either enjoy these natural gifts where they appear or dig up seedlings to relocate or share.