Aquilegia chrysantha
A hardy, clump-forming perennial native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, it bears tall stems of bright yellow, long-spurred flowers in late spring to early summer, thrives in moist canyon and riparian habitats at mid- to high elevations, and attracts hawkmoths, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds while self-seeding in suitable moist soils.
Common Names
Golden Columbine, Yellow Columbine, Golden-Flowered Columbine, Southwestern Yellow Columbine
Summary
Golden Columbine is a perennial herb native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, growing in moist canyon habitats at elevations around 1,000–3,500 meters. It forms clumps with mid-green, divided, fern-like foliage and erect stems bearing large yellow flowers with long spurs that rise above the foliage, blooming from spring into early summer and reaching about 0.5–1 meter in height and 0.1–0.5 meter in spread.
In cultivation it prefers moist but well-drained soil with regular moisture and tolerates full sun to partial shade; hardy to USDA zones 4a–9b and can readily self-seed, so deadheading helps manage spread. It is well suited for borders, cottage and woodland gardens, wildlife gardens, and containers, and provides nectar for bees, butterflies, and hawkmoths.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1-4 feet
Spread
12-18 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4a-8b
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Moist, well-drained loamy soil
Soil Drainage
Moist, well-drained soil.
Soil pH
Tolerates all pH levels
Bloom Color
Yellow
Bloom Time
Spring and Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Slow during establishment; rapid, vigorous growth once full-sized leaves appear.
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Division, Cuttings
Attracts Wildlife
Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, hawkmoths
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- A.Gray
- Publication
- Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 8: 621 (1873)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Ranunculales
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Aquilegia
Synonyms
Aquilegia chrysantha f. pleiocalcarata Aquilegia leptocera var. flava Aquilegia thalictrifolia Aquilegia chrysantha var. rydbergii Aquilegia caerulea var. chrysantha Aquilegia formosa var. chrysantha Aquilegia leptoceras var. chrysantha