Songbird Dove Columbine

Songbird Dove is a compact, upright columbine whose white, long-spurred flowers rise above divided foliage. It brings a light spring display to sunny or partly shaded borders, cottage gardens and wildlife plantings. ## Flowers and placement The [RHS profile for Dove](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/131121/aquilegia-dove-songbird-series/details) lists ‘Songbird Dove’ among its synonyms and describes somewhat upward-facing white flowers, sometimes pink-tinged at the tips, on a compact plant to about 50 cm. It recommends moist but well-drained loam or sand in full sun or partial shade. [PanAmerican Seed](https://www.panamseed.com/PdfAssets/pdfpage.aspx?pdfid=130) records Dove as a white Songbird cultivar and gives a series size range that varies by variety. Its broader series description places color in late spring and early summer. The [RHS genus guide](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/aquilegia) describes divided leaves, clump-forming growth and nectar-rich flowers attractive to bumblebees. Specific garden size varies; current catalog measurements remain as plausible upper values rather than fixed targets. Place it toward the front or middle of a border, where the pale flowers contrast with darker foliage. Columbines can self-sow, and seedlings may not retain the named cultivar’s traits. ## Maintenance Keep soil evenly moist during establishment and dry weather while ensuring good drainage. Remove faded flower stems to reduce self-seeding, and cut back old foliage after flowering. Established plants dislike root disturbance, so divide only when needed.