Winky Blue & White Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris 'Winky Blue-White'

Nature Hills Nursery

Reliably hardy and easy to grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8.
Features unique upward-facing, bicolor dark blue-purple and white blooms for better garden visibility.
Compact, bushy habit stays under 14 inches tall, making it a premier choice for patio containers and small borders.
Strongly resistant to deer, rabbits, and powdery mildew while attracting hummingbirds for up to 6 weeks.

$30⁴⁰

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Out of stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Aim for four to six hours of light daily. While it handles full sun in northern states, providing afternoon shade in warmer climates is crucial to prevent the delicate foliage from scorching in the heat.
Soil: This perennial craves rich, loamy soil that drains efficiently. If your garden has heavy clay, mix in plenty of organic compost or aged manure to improve drainage and prevent "wet feet," which can cause the crown to rot.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist from the time you plant until the flowers finish blooming in early summer. If the soil is allowed to dry out completely, the plant may enter an early dormancy period and lose its leaves for the season. Mature plants are slightly more resilient but will produce fewer blooms and smaller foliage if they are not watered regularly during dry spells.

Pruning Tips

Think of pruning this plant as a quick summer haircut to keep it looking fresh. Remove the spent flower stalks at the base once the blooming cycle ends to maintain a tidy, compact mound. If the foliage begins to look yellow or tattered during the peak of summer heat, you can cut the entire plant back to the ground to encourage a brand new flush of healthy green leaves.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in the early spring just as you see the first green bits emerging from the soil. This provides the necessary fuel for the plant to produce its signature upward facing blooms. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers in the late summer or fall because this forces the plant to produce tender new growth that will easily be damaged by the first winter freeze.

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 3-4 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.

A Spring Masterpiece

As late spring arrives, this "Winky Series" standout transforms into a living bouquet. For four to six weeks, the sturdy, upright stems hold clusters of blooms high above a mound of delicate, fern-like green foliage. The movement of the flowers in a light breeze adds a playful, airy texture to the landscape. Because the blooms face the sun rather than the soil, you get a full view of the intricate geometry that has made the Columbine (also known as Granny's Bonnet) a cottage garden staple for centuries.

Versatile Landscape Uses

The compact and mounding habit of 'Winky Blue-White' makes it incredibly versatile. Reaching just 12-14 inches in height and width, it is a perfect candidate for "thriller" status in decorative patio containers. In the ground, use it to line woodland pathways, tuck it into rock gardens, or mass it at the front of a perennial border. It pairs exquisitely with the bold leaves of Hostas or the silvery fronds of Japanese Painted Ferns.

Pollinator Friendly and Resilience

While the nectar-rich spurs are a magnet for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, this perennial is remarkably tough against garden pests. It is naturally resistant to both deer and rabbits, who typically bypass its foliage. Furthermore, the Winky Series was specifically bred for improved resistance to powdery mildew, ensuring your plants stay looking fresh and vibrant even when the humidity rises. Though individual plants are often short-lived, they will happily self-seed in favorable conditions, allowing your collection to naturalize and thrive for years to come.

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Growing Zones 3-8

Find Your Growing Zone!