Aquilegia Species, Colorado Blue Columbine, Rocky Mountain Columbine
Aquilegiacaerulea

Synonym:Aquilegia advena

Synonym:Aquilegia macrantha

Synonym:Aquilegia oreophila

Synonym:Aquilegia piersoniana

Synonym:Aquilegia pinetorum

Category
Perennials

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade

Foliage
Herbaceous

Foliage Color
Blue-Green

Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)

Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone

Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color
Dark Blue
White/Near White

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer

Other details

Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored