Aquilegia jonesii, commonly known as Jones’ Columbine, is a perennial herb that can be semi-evergreen or deciduous depending on the climate. It is native to the alpine meadows and rocky slopes in the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains of North America. This compact plant typically grows to a modest height and width of about 0.3 feet (0.09 meters), forming a low, mounding tuft of delicate, blue-green foliage. The flowers are a striking blue or violet with contrasting yellow centers, blooming in late spring to early summer and are quite showy despite the plant’s small size. The foliage may persist in milder climates or die back in colder regions.

Jones’ Columbine is valued for its unique, nodding blue flowers and its ability to thrive in rock gardens, alpine troughs, and borders. It is also suitable for wildflower gardens and naturalized areas. While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates. It requires well-drained soil and can be drought-tolerant once established, though it appreciates consistent moisture. This species is relatively low-maintenance but can be susceptible to leaf miners and powdery mildew. It is not typically invasive and is best propagated by seed.CC BY-SA 4.0