Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is the perfect perennial to brighten up shaded areas! Featuring attractive bluish-green foliage and showy red and yellow flowers with straight spurs that hang from delicate stems and last for several weeks, this plant is an must have in shaded beds and borders, cottage gardens, or naturalized woodland garden areas. Columbine can be grown in full sun in higher elevations, but should receive afternoon shade in lower valley areas, and be placed where it has rich soil with regular moisture. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution and very attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators.
Expected 2025 availability- Late April
Western Columbine
Irrigation Requirement: Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)
Mature Size: 1-3' tall and 8"-2' wide
Spacing: 12" apart
Bloom Colors: Red and yello
Bloom Season: May - June
Hardiness Zone: 3 - 10
Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade (requires shade if planting at lower elevations)
Deer Resistant: Yes
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Soils: Adaptable to well-drained sandy, loamy, or clay soils. Prefers more fertile soils.
Plants in the Aquilegia genus support 2 known pollinators in northern Utah. Western Columbine is very attractive to both pollinators and hummingbirds.