Aquilegia formosa
Common Name(s):
Western Columbine
Crimson Columbine
Synonym:
Aquilegia fosteri
Sitka Columbine
Flower:
Red
Blooms :
May
to:
Aug
Pendant, red and yellow, 2" across with straight spurs and golden stamens
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Green
Basal and lower stem leaves on long petioles divided 2-3 times, upper leaves sessile or nearly so.
Fall Color?
NO
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
Oregon Native?
YES
West State Native?
YES
Origins:
Native to western North America
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
M
Sun Needs:
Partial Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
1.5' to 3'
Spread:
20-24"
Growth Rate:
Fast
Native Habitat:
Can be found in a wide variety of habitats within its native range (coastal AK down through Canada , south to Baja and eastward to MT, WY, UT)..
Soil:
Average, medium moisture, well-drained. Rich moist soils in part shade are preferred.
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Requires no fertilizer
Mulch:
2-3" layer of shredded leaves
Give good air circulation, allow to seof seed, deadhead, if looks straggly in summer can cut back
Long Term:
Winter:
Ensure soil drains well, add mulch to protect crown
Spring:
Give a balanced slow-release fertilizer or top dress with compost, keep soil consistently moist, add mulch, monitor for pests
Summer:
Water deeply every 8-15 days, provide filtered sun, snip off spent flowers
Fall:
Cut to ground when foliage declines
General Care Comments:
Prefers light partial shade, rich loamy soil, keep soil moist, deadhead but let the last flowers of the season go to seed
Common Problems
Foliage may look ratty by early sunner
Diseases:
Powdery mildew, Grey mold, root and crown rot
Insects:
Columbine leafminers, Columbine sawfly, aphids, spider mites
Environmental Problems:
Dislikes poorly drained soils
Pests:
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.