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Western Columbine

Aquilegia formosa

Nodding red-and-yellow spurred flowers dance over ferny foliage in moist shade and along streams. A hummingbird favorite that self-sows in cool, woodsy spots. The flowers are a safe, sweet nectar nibble; treat the seeds and roots with more caution, since the buttercup family includes some mildly toxic species.

Family

Ranunculaceae

Type

wildflower

Lifespan

perennial

Height

3–3 ft

Spacing

1–1.5 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade

Soil moisture

dry

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

May, June, July, August

Bloom colors

red, yellow

Wildlife value

pollinators, hummingbirds

Landscape uses

border

Native states

AK, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY