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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) Be the first to rate this plant
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) Be the first to rate this plant
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) (1 user review)
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) Be the first to rate this plant
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) Be the first to rate this plant
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) Be the first to rate this plant
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) Be the first to rate this plant
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) Be the first to rate this plant
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.