naturepatch's Journal: Alaskan Columbine Aquilegia formosa Pool stairs

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Member: naturepatch
Journal: Seedlings
Category: sown 2003
Status: Seedlings

Initial Notes:

Western Columbine, Sitka Columbine, Crimson Columbine, Red Columbine
Columbine
Family: Ranunculaceae
Geographic Origin: Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Yukon Territory
Plant Group: Perennial
Hardiness: zones 4-8
Mature size: Height 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) | Width 18 inches (45 cm)
Flowering period: Spring to early summer.
Flowering attributes: Stout, straight red spurs, red sepals and yellow petals.
Leaf attributes: Blue green divided leaves that give the plant a fern like appearance.
Growth habit: Short lived perennial.
Light: Full sun, but tolerates filtered shade.
Soil:Fertile, moist, well drained soil.
Feeding: A light mulch of compost or manures in fall and in spring a complete organic fertilizer.
Propagation Methods: Best started from fresh seed. Once established in the garden allow to set seed for new plants. The plant will cross with other varieties of columbine so keep it well away from others so they won't cross pollinate.
Pruning Methods: Dead head spent flowers to prolong bloom. When plants are finished blooming cut down to the ground to rejuvenate plant with new growth. If you want to save seed let a few seed heads develope.Leaf miner's riddle the leaves in spring so when plants finish flowering cut old foliage off. New growth should not be bothered since the larvae are gone by the time the second new growth begins.
Good hummingbird, butterfly and bee plant.
Habitat: Moist, open to partly shaded sites; to middle elevation in Cascades and Olympic Mountains
Bloom time: May through August
Range: Southern Alaska to Baja California; east to Montana and Utah

Entries and Updates

May 4, 2003

Sown in late March. Several have just sprouted, with more on the way.

Jun 14, 2005

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