A genus of mostly late spring blooming, short lived but self seeding perennials that are part of the Ranunculacea family. The flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds.
They mostly prefer full sun to partial shade on fertile, moist, well drained soil.
Deer / rabbit resistant but prone to leaf miners which tunnel through the foliage and often kill the entire plant. It is recommended to cut back and burn foliage that is damaged by leaf miner. Get rid of the infested leaves or the larvae will overwinter and infest the plant the following year. Plants can be treated with a systemic pesticide such as Bayer during early spring. Luckily, these beautiful plants are highly rabbit and deer resistant. These herbaceous perennials are usually cut back to ground level during late autumn. Propagation is usually from seed which is sprinkled on top of loose soil and not buried.
* photos of unknown internet source
Aquilegia alpina ( Alpine Columbine )
A compact perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 2 feet, that is native to central Europe. It makes a great plant for the rock garden.
The finely-divided foliage is gray-green.
The nodding, violet-blue to deep blue flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne late spring to mid summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial shade on moist, fertile, well drained soil.
Tolerant of hot humid summers if planted in the shade.
Aquilegia atrata
Compact in habit, reaching a maximum size of 4.3 ( rarely over 3 ) feet x 15 inches, that is native to alpine woodlands in Europe.
The foliage is blue-green. The short-spurred, purple-violet flowers are borne late spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8
Aquilegia bertolinii
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 20 ( rarely over 14 ) inches x 1 foot, that is native to Italy.
The violet-blue flowers are up to 2 inches across.
Hardy zones 5 to 8
Biedermeier
Very neat and compact in habit, reaching a maximum size of 20 inches x 1.5 feet.
The flowers come in a variety of colors including cream, pale pink, light blue and purple. The flowers are borne late spring to mid summer.
The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial shade.
* photo taken on May 5 2010 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 14 2012 in Columbia, MD
Aquilegia buergeriana
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.3 feet, that is native to eastern Asia.
Aquilegia caerulea ( Rocky Mountain Columbine )
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 4 x 2 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to the western U.S.
The leaves, up to 15 inches in length, are composed of leaflets, up to 2.5 inches in length.
The very showy, white ( with violet-blue sepals ) flowers, up to 3.2 inches across, borne late spring to mid summer. The sepals are up to 2 inches in length.
Hardy zones 3 to 8, it prefers cool, high altitudes and in other areas should be grown on a cool shady site. Does not like excessive heat and humidity.
Kristall
Reaches up to 2.5 x 2 feet, with nodding, pure white flowers.
Red Hobbit
Compact in habit, reaching a maximum height of 16 inches, with showy, deep red, long-spurred flowers with white carollas that are borne late spring into early summer.
Rose Queen
Reaches a maximum height of 2.5 feet, with flowers that are pink with a white corolla, that are borne early to mid summer.
Aquilegia canadensis ( American Columbine )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 3 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to eastern North America ( Minnesota to Nova Scotia; south to Kansas to Florida ). Great for rock gardens, woodland gardens and containers.
The leaves are up to 12 inches in length and are composed of leaflets up to 2 inches.
The foliage is evergreen in the southern part of its range.
The yellow ( with red sepals ) flowers are borne during late spring into early summer. The red spurs are up to 2 inches in length.
The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist, fertile, well drained soil. Resistant to leaf miners and easy to grow over most of eastern North America.
* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.
Corbett
Reaches up to 2 ( rarely over 1.5 x 1.5 ) feet, with long-spurred, pale yellow. The attractive foliage is persistent and leaf miner resistant.
Little Lantern
A dwarf, compact perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 1.5 feet.
The bright red ( with yellow carolla ) flowers are borne late spring into early summer. The attractive foliage is verdant bright green.
Aquilegia chrysantha ( Golden Columbine )
A vigorous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 2 feet, that is native from southwest Utah to central Colorado; south to northwestern Mexico.
The leaves, up to 18 inches in length, are composed of leaflets up to 2 inches in length.
The long, narrow-spurred, bright yellow flowers, up to 3.2 inches across, are borne during late spring. The spurs are up to 3.2 inches in length and the stamens are very prominent. It will often rebloom if cut back after flowering.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in sun or shade on humus-rich, well drained soil. Heat tolerant and mildew resistant. It makes a great plant for dry shade conditions.
* photos taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.
Little Treasure
A very profuse flowering, miniature form, reaching a maximum size of only 15 x 10 inches, with beautiful foliage resembling that of the Maidenhair Fern.
This cultivar originated in the wild in New Mexico and is sold by High Country Gardens.
Texas Gold
Reaches a maximum size of 3 x 2 feet, with attractive blue-green foliage all season long and flowers borne early to late spring.
Very heat tolerant, even in Texas. Pest freen.
Yellow Queen
Vigorous in habit, reaching a maximum size of 4.7 x 3.5 feet, with bicolored pale-yellow and golden-yellow flowers, borne late spring to mid summer.
Aquilegia clematiflora
A compact perennial, reaching a maximum height of 1.5 feet.
The clematis-like foliage is rich green.
The red-purple, spurless flowers are borne late spring into early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8
Aquilegia discolor
A compact, dwarf perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1 foot x 6 inches, that is native to Spain.
The blue and creamy-white flowers are up to 1.6 inches across.
Hardy zones 5 to 8
Aquilegia ecalcarata
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 2 ( rarely over 1.5 ) feet.
The spurless purplish flowers are up to 1 inch across.
Hardy zones 5 to 8
Aquilegia flabellata ( Fan Columbine )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2.5 x 1 ( rarely over 1.5 ) foot, that is native to Sakhalin, Korea and Japan. It looks great when used for edging.
The attractive, trifoliate-lobed foliage is blue-green.
The hook-spurred, light blue flowers, up to 1.6 inches across, are borne late spring into early summer.
The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on moist, well drained soil.
It is deer and rabbit resistant.
Cameo Series
Very dwarf and compact, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 10 inches. Excellent for rock gardens or as potted plants on patios. The Cameo Series comes in Blue & White, Bright Red & White, Rosey Pink & White, Pale Pink and Pure White.
Ministar
Reaches a maximum height of 1 foot, with bright blue and white, nodding flowers borne late spring into early summer.
Nana Alba
Reaches a maximum height of 1 foot, with pure white, nodding, cup-shaped flowers borne late spring to mid summer.
var pumila
Compact and miniature in habit, reaching a maximum size of 8 inches x 1.5 feet.
Looks great edging a border and in the rock garden.
The fine-textured foliage is gray-green.
The blue flowers are borne late spring through early summer.
* photo taken on May 14 2012 in Howard Co., MD
Aquilegia formosa ( Western Columbine )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5.5 x 3 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to western North America ( from Alaska to Alberta and Montana; south to northern California to Utah ).
The leaves are up to 16 inches in length.
The red and yellow flowers are borne late spring to late summer.
The flowers are loved by hummingbirds and butterflies.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in full sun to partial shade ( requires much more water in full sun ). If plant looks leggy and worn after blooming, cut to ground to encourage new flush of foliage. Do not remove all flower stalks if you want this often short-lived perennial to self seed.
* photo taken by Sheri Hagwood @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Aquilegia glandulosa
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 1 ( rarely over 1.5 ) foot, that is native to Siberia.
The violet-blue ( with lilac-blue sepals ) flowers are up to 1.6 inches in length.
The flowers have short hooked spurs.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial shade.
Aquilegia x hybrida
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial shade ( also full sun in cool summer climates ) on moist, fertile, well drained soil.
Blue Star
Reaches up to 2 feet, with bicolored blue and white flowers borne late spring into early summer.
Crimson Star
Reaches up to 3 x 1.5 ( rarely over 2 ) feet, with bicolored flowers that have a white corolla and intense red spurs, borne late spring into early summer.
Dragonfly Hybrids
Compact in habit, reaching a maximum size of 2.5 feet x 16 inches, with long spurred, large flowers that come in a range of colors borne on strong stems.
Koralle
Reaches a maximum height of 3 feet, with very showy bicolored coral-pink and pale yellow flowers borne late spring to mid summer.
Maxistar
Reaches a maximum height of 3 feet, with yellow, long-spurred flowers borne during late spring.
McKana Giant
Reaches a maximum size of 4 x 3 feet, with large flowers borne late spring to mid summer that come in a wide range of colors. The large showy flowers have long spurs.
Aquilegia longissima
An evergreen perennial, that is native to the southern U.S.
It is similar to Aquilegia chrysantha but with paler yellow flowers and spurs, up to 6 inches in length.
Aquilegia olympica
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2.5 x 1 foot, that is native to Greece.
The large, long-spurred, nodding, blue and white flowers are borne during spring.
Hardy zones 3 to 8
Aquilegia rockii ( Chinese Columbine )
Reaches a maximum size of 3.5 x 2 feet, with rich purple flowers with a corolla that is edged in white. The flowers are borne late spring to mid summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8
Aquilegia saximontana
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 10 inches.
Hardy zones 3 to 8
Aquilegia scopulorum
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 15 x 6 ( rarely over 10 ) inches, that is native to Nevada and Utah.
The leaves, up to 5 inches in length, are blue-green.
The long-spurred flowers are bicolored lavender-purple and creamy-white.
Hardy zones 5 to 8
Aquilegia sibirica
Hardy zones 2 to 8
Aquilegia skinneri
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 3 feet.
Aquilegia Songbird Series Mix
Hardy zones 3 to 8
Aquilegia vulgaris ( Grannys Bonnet )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.3 x 2 feet, that is native to most of Europe.
The leaves are up to 12 inches in length.
The short-spurred flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne during late spring.
The flowers are typically violet however the cultivars can also some in white, pink or red.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in full sun to partial shade on fertile, moist, well drained soil.
Propagation is from seed and they often readily self seed.
* photos taken on May 4 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
Altrosa
Reaches up to 2 feet, with pink flowers.
Black Barlow
Very dark purple, spurless, dahlia-like, double flowers.
Blue Barlow
Double blue flowers.
* photos taken on May 3 2012 in Columbia, MD
Grandmothers Garden
Forms a bushy clump, up to 3 x 1.5 feet, with rose-pink, deep red and violet flowers during late spring.
Heidi
Reaches up to 28 inches in height, with pink flowers during late spring.
* photos taken on May 3 2012 in Columbia, MD
Lace Frills
Bright blue flowers during late spring.
Leprechaun Gold
Very attractive foliage that is green with yellowish-green streaking, constrasting with intense deep purple flowers.
Miss Jekyll
Reaches up to 2.5 feet, with pure white flowers during late spring.
var Nivea
Vigorous in habit, reaching up to 3 feet, rarely more, with pale gray foliage and single, white flowers.
Nora Barlow
Reaches a maximum size of 3 x 2 feet, with spurless, double pink and purplish-pink flowers borne late spring to mid summer.
Almost breeds true from seed.
* photos taken on May 7 2012 in Bsltimore, MD
Plena
Reaches a maximum height of 3 feet, with double flowers that come in a mix of colors.
Full sun or partial shade.
Plum Pudding
Reaches a maximum height of 2.5 feet, with violet-red, short-spurred, double flowers borne late spring into early summer.
* photo taken on May 7 2012 in Columbia, MD
Raspberry Tart
Reaches up to 2.5 feet, with double, deep pinkish-red flowers borne late spring into early summer.
Ruby Port
Reaches a maximum height of 3 feet, with showy, large, deep red, double flowers.
Full sun or partial shade.
William Guinness
Forms a bushy clump, reaching a maximum of 3 x 2 feet, with double, blackish-purple ( with white corollas ) flowers borne late spring into early summer.
Woodside Gold
Compact and tidy in habit, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 2 ( 3 feet in bloom ) feet. The intense golden-yellow foliage contrasts well with the bicolored blue and rose-pink flowers.
Woodside Variegata
Reaches a maximum size of 2 x 1.5 feet, with very attractive foliage that is green and heavily streaked and marbled creamy-white to yellow.
The flowers come in a mix of color.
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