Genus Aquilegia (Columbine)

Aquilegia Aquilegia canadensis Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais
ak-will-EE-zsah Common Name: Columbine
A spring delight, these wonderful rock or woodland plants are small in stature but large in effect. Rounded blue-green leaves with colorful bell-shaped flowers appear in spring.
Noteworthy characteristics: Great range of vivid and delightful flower colors. Self-seeds readily. Often attracts hummingbirds.
Care: Provide fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Alpine species need gritty, sharply draining soil.
Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame in spring. Cultivars can be divided in spring but plants respond slowly to root disturbance.
Problems: Powdery mildew, rust, fungal leaf spots. Aphids, leaf miners, and caterpillars.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Aquilegia

no image available Aquilegia alpina
(Alpine columbine)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This plant bears terminal racemes of two to three nodding blue flowers, sometimes with white tips.

Aquilegia caerulea Aquilegia caerulea
(Rocky Mountain columbine)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Rocky Mountain columbine is a beautiful, hearty, native perennial with blue and white flowers. It self-sows readily.

Aquilegia canadensis Aquilegia canadensis
(Canadian columbine)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This airy perennial has ternate dark green leaves, and produces many nodding flowers from midspring to midsummer. Its scarlet flowers have yellow, downward-pointing sepals.

Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett' Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett'
(Columbine, Canada columbine)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This airy perennial has delicate dark-green leaves and many nodding, light-yellow flowers from mid-spring to midsummer. 

Aquilegia chrysantha Aquilegia chrysantha
(Golden columbine, Yellow columbine)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A. chrysantha is a vigorous grower that will add a real burst of color to any southern garden. This southwestern U.S. native has 3-inch yellow flowers in spring and reaches almost 3 feet tall.

no image available Aquilegia flabellata
(Fan columbine)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The fan columbine produces short, plump, nodding, blue-purple flowers with white petal tips.

no image available Aquilegia longissima
(Longspur columbine)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species of Aquilegia is short lived, but its bright yellow, fragrant flowers with elongated spurs will be a vibrant addition to your garden.

Aquilegia vulgaris Aquilegia vulgaris
(Granny’s bonnet)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Usually this plant produces nodding blue and white flowers, but color variation is common in this species.