Songbird Robin Columbine

Songbird Robin is a compact columbine in the Songbird series, with rose-pink and white, long-spurred flowers above divided foliage. Its spring display suits cottage borders, informal beds and wildlife plantings. ## Flowers and placement The [RHS profile for Robin](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/131128/aquilegia-robin-songbird-series/details) recognizes ‘Robin’ in the Songbird Series and lists Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Robin’ as a synonym. [PanAmerican Seed](https://www.panamseed.com/PdfAssets/pdfpage.aspx?pdfid=130) identifies Robin’s flowers as rose and white, and gives a variable series size of roughly 11–18 inches high and 10–14 inches wide. The production table lists the Songbird series flowering in April or May; the series description places garden color in late spring and early summer. The [RHS genus guide](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/aquilegia) describes clump-forming perennial growth with divided leaves, and sunny or semi-shaded positions where soil does not dry out in summer. Garden plants may exceed seed-production dimensions, so existing measurements are retained with that variation in mind. The soft two-color flowers pair well with spring bulbs and later perennials. Use fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Columbines may self-sow, but seedlings need not match the cultivar. ## Maintenance Water during establishment and prolonged dry weather. Remove faded flower stems to reduce self-sowing, or leave a few if seedlings are wanted. Cut back tired foliage after flowering and avoid waterlogged soil.