Aquilegia Species, Colorado Blue Columbine, Rocky Mountain Columbine

Aquilegiacaerulea

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Aquilegia (a-kwi-LEE-jee-a)
Species
caerulea (see-ROO-lee-uh)
Synonym
Aquilegia advena
Aquilegia macrantha
Aquilegia oreophila
Aquilegia piersoniana
Aquilegia pinetorum
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
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)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Dark Blue
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
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
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Seward, Alaska

Auberry, California

Lawndale, California

Los Angeles, California

Merced, California

Richmond, California

Temecula, California

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Laporte, Colorado

Loveland, Colorado

Pueblo, Colorado

Telluride, Colorado

New Britain, Connecticut

Winsted, Connecticut

Wilmington, Delaware

Naperville, Illinois

Wilmette, Illinois

Fort Thomas, Kentucky

Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Clinton, Mississippi

Greenville, New Hampshire

Jamesburg, New Jersey

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Alden, New York

Rochester, New York

Newton, North Carolina

Shelby, North Carolina

Akron, Ohio

Hamilton, Ohio

Westerville, Ohio

Baker City, Oregon

MOUNT HOOD PARKDALE, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Conway, South Carolina

Lubbock, Texas

Plano, Texas

Rockwall, Texas

Sour Lake, Texas

Salt Lake City, Utah

Sandy, Utah

Arlington, Virginia

Lynchburg, Virginia

Kalama, Washington

North Bend, Washington

Poulsbo, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Spokane, Washington

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

9
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
K
K
CORVALLIS, OR (Zone 8a) | April 2016 | positive

This plant will self-sow readily here in Central Virginia (7a) if given Eastern exposure, mulched, and protected from the hot afternoon s...Read More

A
(Zone 6b) | January 2016 | positive

This columbine is amazing! I often try to grow it here in Austria, but unlike its hybrids, it allwas dissapears after one blooming season.

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | January 2016 | neutral

Hates the hot humid summers of the southeastern US.

W
Mountain Village, CO | June 2012 | positive

I grew from seed and have been very impressed. I live in Telluride, CO which is San Juan Mountains. I think elevation almost 10,000 fee...Read More

S
Los Angeles County, CA (Zone 10a) | August 2010 | positive

I really like these little plants. In my garden they have done well in shade, part sun and almost full sun (with a bit of extra care). Th...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | July 2008 | neutral

Blooms late May to early June in my garden.
Light and stratification aid germination.

M
Winsted, CT | April 2008 | positive

A great easy to grow plant, continuous flowers throughout the late spring and summer. easy to care for also

J
Rockwall, TX | May 2006 | positive

I had to give the plant extra supports because the heavy flowers would fall over at times, but this is a great plant. I put it right next...Read More

G
Sandy, UT | July 2004 | positive

When I first moved into my house, I thought this plant growing in the back yard was a weed. This year I failed to weed as well as the pre...Read More

C
Boone, NC (Zone 4b) | March 2004 | positive

I absolutely love this flower! Leafminers are definitely a problem, but the flowers are beautiful enough to make you forget the leaves. ...Read More

N
Morris, IL (Zone 5b) | May 2002 | positive

The blue-green of the foliage is phenomenal. Flowers are large and a lovely blue. Will cross pollenate with other columbine varieties. Wi...Read More

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