Crimson Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)

from $8.99

Botanical name: Aquilegia formosa • Bloom season: Late spring to early summer • Bloom color: Red to Orange and Yellow • Host plant: Persius duskywing

Warm orange nodding flowers with the classic columbine spurs, over the fine blue-green foliage the genus is known for. An excellent full-shade bloomer, it brings hummingbirds into the shade, which very few plants do, and the flowers hang and sway, adding lovely movement to a shaded bed.

Botanical name: Aquilegia formosa • Bloom season: Late spring to early summer • Bloom color: Red to Orange and Yellow • Host plant: Persius duskywing

Warm orange nodding flowers with the classic columbine spurs, over the fine blue-green foliage the genus is known for. An excellent full-shade bloomer, it brings hummingbirds into the shade, which very few plants do, and the flowers hang and sway, adding lovely movement to a shaded bed.

Size:

Plant Characteristics

Botanical Name: Aquilegia formosa

Common Name: Crimson Columbine

Native: Native

Sun: Part Sun to Shade

Water: Moderate

Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer

Bloom Color: Scarlet and yellow

Pollinators: Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds

Deer Resistant: Yes

Mature Size: W 12"-18" x H 18"-36"

Soil: Moist, well-drained; humus-rich

Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial

USDA Zones: 4 to 8

Spread Habit: Clumping; self-sows

Available As: Live plant

Native Region: Sierra Nevada; Cascade Range; Klamath-Siskiyou; Pacific Northwest; Northern Rockies

Host Plant: Persius duskywing

Growing Notes

Part sun to shade in moist, humus-rich ground. Give it afternoon shade in harsh climates; full exposure burns the foliage and shortens the season. Space about 15 inches apart. It is happiest where the soil does not dry out completely.

  • Water: Moderate

  • Sun: Part Sun to Full Shade; appreciates afternoon shade

  • Soil: Moist, well-drained; humus-rich

  • Mature size: W 12"-18" x H 18"-30"

Maintenance

Let it self-sow to keep the planting going, since plants are short-lived. Note that columbines cross freely with each other, so seedlings near another columbine will not come true to color. If you want to maintain separate colors, it’s best to plant separately. Or, if crossing is desired, plant closer together and observe new seedlings with varying color combinations and petal counts. Shear tired foliage in midsummer for a fresh flush. Leaf-miner squiggles are cosmetic.