When to Plant Columbine in Pennsylvania

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a graceful native perennial of eastern North America, producing distinctive nodding flowers with spurred red-and-yellow petals that are irresistible to hummingbirds and native bees in spring. Its blue-green, fernlike foliage remains attractive long after flowering. Garden hybrid columbines (A. x hybrida) extend the color palette to the full spectrum and are equally adaptable. Short-lived by perennial standards (3–4 years per plant), but prolific self-seeders that perpetuate themselves and even hybridize freely in the garden, creating ever-evolving color combinations. An ideal woodland edge and cottage garden plant.

Pennsylvania spans USDA hardiness zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Columbine planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Columbine Planting Calendar for Pennsylvania

▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 14	Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors	May 2	May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow	May 2	May 2 – May 23
Bloom	June 27	Jun 27 – Aug 8

▸ Zone 6a ~193 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 10 · First frost: October 20 · 193 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 6	Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors	April 24	Apr 24 – May 8
Direct Sow	April 24	Apr 24 – May 15
Bloom	June 19	Jun 19 – Jul 24

▸ Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 30	Jan 30 – Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors	April 10	Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow	April 10	Apr 10 – May 1
Bloom	June 5	Jun 5 – Jul 10

▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 28	Jan 28 – Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors	April 1	Apr 1 – Apr 15
Direct Sow	April 1	Apr 1 – Apr 22
Bloom	May 20	May 20 – Jun 24

▸ Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 21	Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Outdoors	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 15
Bloom	May 13	May 13 – Jun 17

Growing Tips for Pennsylvania

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost with 4–6 weeks of cold moist stratification first (mix seeds with moist perlite in a bag and refrigerate), or direct-sow outdoors in fall for natural stratification. Transplant to the garden 2–4 weeks after last frost in spring. Prefers cool, moist, well-drained soil with morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in Zones 6+. After bloom, allow seed pods to mature and scatter if you want natural self-seeding; deadhead if you want to prevent spreading. Individual plants are typically short-lived (3–5 years) but colonies persist through prolific self-seeding. Leafminers may create white tunnels in foliage — unsightly but rarely serious. Year 2+ plants flower most profusely.

Columbine in Other States

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Columbine in Pennsylvania?

Planting dates for Columbine in Pennsylvania depend on your USDA zone. Pennsylvania spans zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Pennsylvania for planting?

Pennsylvania contains USDA hardiness zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Blog