How to Grow Foxy Purple
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Foxy Purple
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Foxy Purple'
flowerFoxy Purple is a striking cultivar of common columbine featuring deep purple, semi-double flowers with prominent spurs. This compact, bushy variety grows 12-18 inches tall and blooms prolifically in late spring to early summer. It's an excellent choice for borders, cottage gardens, and cut flowers.
When should you plant Foxy Purple in your zone?
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Example Foxy Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Foxy Purple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Foxy Purple blooms
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Foxy Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8, with best performance in zones 4-7
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Seedling
2-4 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with simple cotyledons. First true leaves are small and delicate.
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide bright, indirect light. Thin seedlings when 2-3 leaves develop.
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with finely divided, fern-like blue-green leaves. Compact mounding form becomes apparent.
Provide consistent moisture and partial shade. Pinch back growing tips at 6 inches to encourage bushiness. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer.
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds appear at branch tips, clustered densely along the plant. Buds are initially green, then show purple coloring.
Maintain consistent watering and reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage flowering. Stake if needed in windy locations.
Seed Development & Dormancy
Variable; dormancy lasts through winterAfter flowering, allow select flowers to develop seed pods if desired. Plant gradually dies back as temperatures cool in fall.
Leave some flowers for self-seeding. Cut back dead foliage in late fall or early spring. Apply winter mulch in cold zones.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove affected leaves; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects
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Spray with strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticides if severe
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Hand-pick if visible; use spinosad or neem oil
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryFoxy Purple columbine flowers are edible and add striking visual appeal to salads and desserts. The flowers have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and are food-safe when grown without pesticides. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
CraftThe deeply colored semi-double blooms with distinctive spurs make excellent long-lasting cut flowers for floral arrangements, bouquets, and wedding displays. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeFoxy Purple columbine attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies with its nectar-rich flowers, making it valuable for supporting pollinator populations in gardens. [source]
Garden Ornament
HouseholdThis compact, bushy cultivar serves as an excellent ornamental for border gardens, cottage gardens, rock gardens, and container plantings throughout the growing season. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalHistorically, columbine has been used in traditional herbal medicine, though modern use is limited due to potential toxicity; modern applications are primarily ornamental. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut flowers at peak bloom in early morning when stems are fully hydrated. Cut just above a leaf node to encourage more blooms. Flowers last 5-7 days in a vase with fresh water. For seed saving, allow flowers to fade and seed pods to mature brown on the plant (mid-to-late summer), then collect and dry completely.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'columbine' comes from the Latin word 'columba' meaning dove—the distinctive spurred petals resemble a circle of doves in flight.
- 🌱 Foxy Purple is part of the Foxy series of columbines, which are compact F1 hybrids bred specifically for earlier, more abundant flowering and increased flower size compared to standard Aquilegia vulgaris.
- 🌱 Columbine flowers have evolved their tubular spurs specifically to attract hummingbirds, which pollinate them while feeding on nectar at the spur tips.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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