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Native Plant Guide

Information and Services for King County, Washington
 

Western columbine

 
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Western columbine flower
© Greg Rabourn
Western columbine flower (enlarge)
Western columbine bloom

Aquilegia formosa

Perennial Groundcover

Height: 2 ft.

Availability: Low

Growing ease: Medium

Moisture req.: moist

Exposure req.: sun - part shade

 

Plant description:

Liking it a bit moist, this small columbine will grow in open or shady sites and does best near the coast. It can be grown in forest glades, rocky slopes, meadows, clearings and meadows. Both butterflies and hummingbirds like this delicate dangling plant. The outer petals are pale red and the inner petals are a soft yellow. As it is only 2' tall, it could be used near the front edge of a border with foam flower and trillium.

Keywords: birds, perennial (non-woody), red, upright, yellow

Plans that use this plant:Moist, part shade, Moist, sunny