Aquilegia formosa

The graceful, nodding, red-orange and yellow flowers of Aquilegia formosa, the western columbine, dangle like intricate lanterns in the breeze. This BC native is adaptable to humus rick soils or rocky and steep areas in sun or part shade. Popular with hummingbirds and other pollinators. The plant is considered to be deer resistant. Photo: Wikipedia.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.