Colorado blue columbine
Aquilegia coerulea
Also known as: Colorado blue columbine, Dailey's columbine, white Colorado columbine
- Native to:
- United States
MtBotany
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Aquilegia
- Species:
- Aquilegia coerulea
- USDA Symbol:
- AQCO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, white, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds, bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers cool, mountainous regions with organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 21–45 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; sow on soil surface. Fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: A 6-week cold moist stratification at 34 to 37°F. Sow seeds directly onto a peat-lite mix and cold chill, or stratify seeds in a 50:50 sand:peat moss mix in a ventilated ziplock bag. Moisten seed and media and allow to imbibe water overnight before placing in cooler.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Most interbreed and seed may not be what is labelled