Aquilegia formosa

Common Names

Western Columbine, Red Columbine, Crimson Columbine, Scarlet Columbine, Columbine

Summary

Aquilegia formosa, the Western Columbine, is an upright, clump-forming perennial native to western North America. It has delicate bluish-green, divided leaves and slender stems bearing masses of nodding flowers that display red sepals and yellow blades with long red spurs, nectar sought by hummingbirds. The plant grows about 0.5–1 m tall with a similar spread and flowers from April to September in moist, open habitats such as streambanks, seeps, and moist woodlands.

In cultivation, it prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a range of soils, including rocky sites. It propagates easily by seed or division and self-seeds readily to form colonies; deadheading can promote additional blooms. The plant is generally deer-resistant and can be used in cottage or shade gardens, woodland plantings, borders, or as a cut flower, and is noted for providing nectar to pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies; caution is advised due to toxicity. It can be transplanted or grown from seed; irrigation should be regular to keep soil moist during growth.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

24-36 inches

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Sun and Partial Shade, and Full Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

4.0-8.0, acid to alkaline soil pH

Bloom Color

Red and yellow

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds