Western columbine.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Herbaceous perennial

Light

Partial shade to full sun in cooler climates.

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

2 to 3 feet tall

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for wilting leaves, which often signal that the plant needs more shade or water. Deadheading spent blooms helps the plant focus its energy on new growth.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced, water soluble fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Remove faded flowers to encourage a second flush of blooms.

Repotting

Repot in early spring if the plant becomes root bound.

Soil

Well draining, humus rich soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-34 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

All parts of the plant contain cyanogenic glycosides which can cause stomach upset if eaten.

Pets

This plant is considered mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep this plant away from small children as ingestion of any part can lead to nausea or vomiting.

Contact allergens

Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is not typically considered a significant allergen.

Edibility

This plant is considered toxic if ingested and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Nodding red and yellow flowers
• Spurred petals pointing backward
• Delicate, blue green compound leaves
• Slender, branching stems

Height

0.3 to 0.9m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, blue-green, deciduous

Flowers

red, yellow, 3 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

• Columbine leaf miner · Larvae create winding white tunnels inside the leaves.
• Powdery mildew · A white fungal coating appears on leaves during humid weather.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, division

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Cut back dead foliage in late autumn after the first frost. Apply a light layer of mulch to protect the crown from extreme temperature fluctuations.

In containers

It grows well in containers at least 30 centimeters deep with excellent drainage.

Plant these near other woodland perennials to create a layered, naturalistic look that mimics a forest floor.

Grows well with

• Coral Bells · They share similar light and moisture requirements in woodland settings.
• Bleeding Heart · They provide a lovely textural contrast in shaded garden beds.

Similar species

• Eastern Columbine · It is a close relative with similar flower structure but is native to eastern North America.

Science

Family

Ranunculaceae

Genus

Aquilegia

Order

Ranunculales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Western North America from Alaska to California.

Conservation

It is widespread and secure across its native range.

It thrives in moist, open woodlands and along stream banks where it can access consistent soil moisture.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Uses

pollinator garden, woodland border, native plant landscape

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

Will it come back every year?

Yes, it is a short-lived perennial that often self-seeds.

Where the name comes from

The scientific name Aquilegia refers to the resemblance of the petals to eagle talons, while formosa means beautiful.

Good to know

• The name Aquilegia comes from the Latin word for eagle, referring to the spur shape.
• It is a classic choice for attracting hummingbirds to the garden.
• The flowers are nodding, which helps protect the nectar from rain.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs