Aquilegia eximia
A California-endemic serpentine-seep edaphic specialist with larger pendant flowers, broader nectar spurs, and longer stamens and styles than its widespread progenitor, with pollen deposited at different positions on hummingbird bodies.
Common Names
Serpentine Columbine, Van Houtte's Columbine, Sticky Columbine
Summary
Van Houtte's columbine is a California-endemic perennial that forms a dense caudex and grows about 2–3 ft tall, with a mound of green, three-parted, gray-green leaves and nodding red-and-yellow flowers with spurred petals, blooming May–October and attracting hummingbirds; native to seeps on serpentine soils in coastal forests from Mendocino to Ventura counties.
It prefers sun to partial shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of serpentine soils and clay, with regular moisture to prevent drying; suitable for borders, woodland, cottage, and container gardens; propagates by seed; deer resistant and hardy in USDA zones 4–10.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2-5 feet
Spread
1-3 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4–10
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial shade, tolerates full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Serpentine soils
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
6.00-8.00
Bloom Color
Red and Yellow
Bloom Time
Spring to Fall
Foliage Color
Green foliage with gray-green leaves and a glaucous underside.
Fall Foliage Color
Green, reddish-green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts hummingbirds and birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Van Houtte ex Planch.
- Publication
- J. Gén. Hort. 12: 13 (1857)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Ranunculales
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Aquilegia