When to Plant Columbine in Coos County, OR
Your June game plan for Coos County, Oregon
Here's what deserves your attention in Coos County, Oregon this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9a and timed around your local frost dates.
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.
Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.
At an elevation of 96 feet, Coos County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Columbine during the growing season.
Coos County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Columbine Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Coos County
How your county's soil matches Columbine's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.8) overlaps with Columbine's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Coos County is excellent for Columbine — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.7%) — Columbine will thrive.
How to Plant Columbine
Succession Planting Columbine
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.
Columbine Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Columbine
Columbine needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Columbine Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 5.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.1" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 2.3" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.6" | 3.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0.8" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 5.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Coos County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Columbine Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Columbine Planting Timeline — Coos County, OR
Columbine Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 25 | Jan 25 – Feb 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Direct Sow | March 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 29 |
| Bloom | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 17 |
Plant 0.1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Bloom |
| May | Bloom |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
70–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
242 days in Coos County
Growing Tips for Columbine in Coos County
Direct sow Columbine outdoors after March 22 in Coos County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
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.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Columbine in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Columbine in Coos County, OR?
Coos County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Columbine planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Coos County, OR?
Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 19.
Your Coos County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Coos County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.