Native Aquilegia: Columbine
Though there are many columbines available to the northwest gardener, the NW natives are among the most beautiful.
Plant care & info
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Aquilegia
Common Name: Columbine
Western North America.
Basel clump of delicate-looking green, divided and lobed leaves gives rise to wiry stems up to 3′ tall, with nodding flowers with bright orange-red erect spurs and tufts of yellow stamens and styles beneath.
Full sun to partial shade and moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Quite adaptable to a variety of conditions.
Deadhead spent flowers to promote bloom. After flowering, the entire plant can be cut to the ground to discourage leaf miners and rejuvenate the plant with fresh new growth.
Leaf Miner is a common pest, leaving its telltale off-white trails through the body of the leaves.
Aquilegia come true from seed, and are best left to seed eventually as they’re a short-lived perennial.
Somewhat short-lived but actively self-seeding perennials, these graceful, nodding flowers rise high above clumps of delicately lobed leaves and are a beacon of attraction to hummingbirds, with a long bloom-time from late spring through summer.
They grow to a somehow-surprising height of up to three feet; upright spurs above, and petticoats of stamens and styles beneath dance in the breezes of the garden.
Aquilegia are extremely adaptable; their native conditions range from sun to shade, rocky to woodland, moist to dry, low to high elevation. More sun than not, regular water and rich, well-drained soil probably suits them best, but they’re not picky. If you have other Columbine in your garden, the native varieties are as promiscuous as their brethren and if left to their own devices will happily cross-pollinate and provide new variety and color to your garden.
Explore More Native Columbine
Western Columbine
Aquilegia Formosa: Western Columbine
This is by far the most common and widespread native columbine. An electric mix of bright red-orange and yellow, they will attract hummingbirds from far and wide. Not a good candidate for the pastel garden, they are bright without being garish; intensely cheerful, they are a wonderful addition to the garden.
Aquilegia Flavescens
Aquilegia Flavescens
Native to the higher altitude regions of Oregon, high in the eastern slope of the Cascades as well as the upper reaches of the northeastern Wallowa Mountains. The flowers have the same immediately recognizable Columbine shape and design, but this one is made up of shades of yellow to white in a softer, more subtle display. Being at home in colder climes, this Aquilegia might be less than happy with the wet winters in the valley; consider a container for it, or at least be sure it has excellent drainage.
Find Natives for your garden
We offer a great selection of Northwest Natives from spring through fall. The plants featured are highlighted favorites, but they do not represent ALL of the plants we carry. For a more complete list, see our Northwest Native Plant List.
