Colorado Blue Columbine

(Aquilegia coerulea)

Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia coerulea)

/

return to results
Previous Plant Next Plant

/

Aquilegia coerulea image
scroll forward scroll backward
scroll forward scroll backward
Estimated Native Range
Species Map Help

Summary

Aquilegia coerulea, commonly known as Colorado Blue Columbine, is a deciduous perennial herb native to high-altitude regions such as meadows, woodlands, and rocky slopes in the Rocky Mountains of the United States. It typically grows to 20–60 cm (7.9–23.6 in) tall. The foliage is compound with lobed leaves, providing a delicate texture in the garden. The flowers are most notable for their striking color and form, blooming from late spring to early summer. They exhibit a range of hues including pale blue to white, pale yellow, and pinkish, often with contrasting sepals and petals. The long, nectar-filled spurs are a unique feature, curving outward from beneath the flower, and are a draw for pollinators such as hawkmoths, bumblebees, solitary bees, and syrphid flies.

Colorado Blue Columbine is valued for its ornamental flowers and is often used in wildflower gardens, as border plants, or in naturalized areas. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its excellence for garden use. Cultivars like ’Origami’ and ’Crimson Star’ offer gardeners a variety of color choices. This columbine prefers evenly moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate full sun to part shade, making it versatile for different garden settings. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to leaf miners and powdery mildew. It is important to note that Aquilegia coerulea can self-seed prolifically, which may be undesirable in some gardens.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 1-2 feet
  • Width: 1-2 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Blue, Purple, White
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Meadows, woodlands, and rocky slopes in the Rocky Mountains of the United States

Other Names

Common Names: Columbine, Rocky Mountain Columbine

Scientific Names: , Aquilegia coerulea, Aquilegia coerulea var. albiflora, Aquilegia leptocera, Aquilegia leptocera var. flava, Aquilegia oreophila, Aquilegia advena, Aquilegia caerulea var. leptocera, Aquilegia canadensis subsp. coerulea, Aquilegia coerulea f. glandulosa

GBIF Accepted Name: Aquilegia coerulea James