A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Aphids on Columbine

I have two columbines in a shady area of the garden. The plants come up strong each year, but then just before the blooms come out, I notice the black fuzzy "stuff" on the stems indicating aphids. Each year this has happened, the plants are now 3 years old. I spray the plants, remove the infected stalks and leave, to no avail. Ideas??? They are not the double columbines, but the bloom (when it actually comes), is more fuzzy like an astilbe. (Don't know if that makes any difference).
Thanks!

Hi ya Ellen,
How have you been??

Got some questions for you???

Are what kind of soil/dirt are your columbines in?

And where are they, out in the garden, base of your house, shade, sun???

And what kind of fertilizers are you using, if any???

Been good thanks!
Soil: on the dry side, have added peat moss this year.
In shade - fairly dense shade as trees grow in and leaf out. They are out in the garden, next plant to them is a cranberry bush which does great. They are situated in a bed at the side of the house - so I guess you could say they are "foundation" planted?
Hope that helps - and hope you can help me!
Am frustrated - want to pull them out!!!

What are you spraying with?

Tried a few things - commercial aphid spray, and a "home mix" suggestion from the local garden store of liq. sunlight/water.
Both kill the aphid, but don't cure the problem, as when it leafs out again - same thing.

It's got to be the growing conditions...
Something the plant doesn't like...

Aphids show up usually when there is tooo much nitrogen...
either in the soil or applied..

Or the soil is toooo rich for it..
*it likes a basic, nothing added type of soil*

or it's too hot where it is..
*I have some right at the base of the house, full sunshine, raised bed, stone wall, and a cement walkway in front of it, that constantly gets those green "cabbage loopers" catapillars, and the columbine leaf miner...
But the others in the back aren't really affected so much...

A suggestion..
When the plant goes to seed,
take that seed pod and sprinkle the contents
in a few places you might like some new columbines..
*away from where it is now*

Just sprinkle on top of soil, no need to cover
or ammend the soil...

Or if you like, leave the pod whole, with a bit of dried stem on it, and just stick it into the ground, then when it's dried enough and brittle it'll fall over all by it's self...

Mine re~seed prolifically, and I never do a thing to them....
but let mother nature do all the work for me..


I can add though, these are my Grannies variety..
Which seem quite hardy and almost a weed like tendancy to survive..
I have grown the more newer hybrid's I guess you can say, and haven't had much luck with them sometimes...

Oh - so you're suggesting I NOT dig them up ad BURN THEM??? Just kidding - the seed idea is a good one - I'll give that a try and see what happens. Don't get the soil thing tho -I really haven't done anything to it at all - maybe they're just too close to the foundation. Thanks for your help!!!

OMG those purple columbines are so pretty - I want those ones instead of the ***** ones I have!!