Aquilegia formosa

Also Known As

Western Columbine
Western Red Columbine

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 1'-3'
W: 1'-2'

planting zones

4a-10b

More Options

Aquilegia formosa plant details

Aquilegia formosa is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring and summer red and yellow flowers emerge. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, lean, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Aquilegia formosa

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: ranunculales
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 1 FT - 3 FT - tall
Flowers: red and yellow blooms in spring and summer
Uses: bare root shipping available, border plant, container plant, cottage garden, cutting garden, easy-to-grow, native plant, self-sowing, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Aquilegia formosa

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, lean, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

One of the most enchanting of our western native wildflowers, the exceedingly delicate looking blossoms with their red spurs and yellow stamens nod perched upon 1-3' stalks. This is the perfect wildflower for the shady native garden or north facing aspect. Extremely attractive to hummingbirds, but not deer! This perennial makes a beautiful addition to any garden. PSh-Sh/M

By: Forestfarm

Columbine is our favorite native perennial flower due to its very attractive foliage, ease of growth, and completely unique flowers. It is one of the first perennials to emerge in the spring and has Sorrel-like leaves in dense clumps. The flowers develop a few weeks later and are produced on tall, strong stems that make this an excellent species for cut flower arrangements.

Most of the flowers are yellow but plants will occasionally produce flowers that also include red or blue.

As this selection is native to the Southwestern United States, it grows deep roots and is very drought tolerant once established. When grown without any irrigation it will flower in late spring and then go dormant in the summer, however when irrigated every week or two it will continue flowering through late summer.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Our Western native, Aquilegia formosa, is yellow and orange, bright and dainty, making a clump about 24" tall. It's delightfully self-sowing and so effective in a colony. Available for shipping until mid-April.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

This 1-3' tall short-lived perennial is great for butterfly and bird gardens. A good nectar source for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Other birds such as finches and sparrows eat the seeds. Combine with other partial shade plants such as coffee berry, giant chain fern, island alum root, Douglas iris, hummingbird sage, and currants. Needs moist well- drained soils. Dead head spent flowers to prolong bloom. When plants are finished blooming cut down to the ground to rejuvenate plant with new growth. Red and yellow flowers from Spring to Summer. Native to western North America, from Alaska to Baja California, and eastward to Montana and Wyoming. Food source for bees, birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which serve as a primary pollinator. Some Plateau Indian tribes used Aquilegia formosa to concoct a perfume. Found in grows in partially open to wooded areas where soil retains moisture. Communitites located in Chaparral, oak woodland, mixed-evergreen or coniferous forest Between 3000 and 9700 feet.

By: The Watershed Nursery

To 3' tall with blue-green foliage topped by red and yellow flowers. California to Alaska.

By: Native Sons

Blooms: spring-summer, range-red & yellow/ blue-green foliage, hummingbird favorite Zone 3-9. 12"-24"', PNW, part shade-sun, moist, well drained

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

Thriving in poor well-drained soil, this enchanting California Columbine bursts into bloom in late Spring & (with water) well into Summer. Brilliant scarlet & yellow blooms swing from the ends of well-branched arching stems like pixie lanterns. Adaptable to many situations (it’s native to the entire West up into Alaska), you can grow it moist or dry. A nectar feast for hummers, butterflies & bees - & birds love the seeds. To 3’ x 2’. Self-sows.