Aquilegia caerulea

Family name: Ranunculaceae

Blue columbine

Rocky Mountain columbine

This short-lived, upright, alpine species grows from the Rocky Mountains grows to 2 ft (60 cm) or more in height with a rather narrow growth habit. It is Colorado’s state flower and arguably the finest of the wild columbines. Big, powdery blue and white nodding flowers on branching stems appear in late spring and early summer. It sometimes produces a few blooms in fall (autumn). It does best in rich soil.

Hardiness zone from 3 To 9

Plant Height approx. 60 cm

Flowering colors: Blue, White

Flowering season: Spring, Summer

Garden type: Rockery/Bank, Bedding Plant, Cut/Dry Flower, Small Garden

Position: Sunny, Semi-Shaded

Propagation season: Spring, Autumn

Soil: Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam,

Aquilegia

Cultivation: Frost hardy, they prefer a well-drained light soil, enriched with animal manure, and a sunny site protected from strong winds and with some shade in hot areas. Keep moist and give plenty of liquid fertilizer during growth. In cold climates columbines are perennials and need to be cut to the ground in late winter, but growing the larger-flowered cultivars as annuals usually gives best results. Propagate by division or from seed in fall (autumn) and spring; many of them self-seed readily.

Botanica Plus

(c) Beaver Multimedia - www.gardeninfo.com

(c) Random House