Yellow Columbine
Aquilegia flavescens
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Misterbiologist
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Aquilegia
- Species:
- Aquilegia flavescens
- USDA Symbol:
- AQFL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, pinkish
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:
- bees, hummingbirds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers cool, mountainous regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 21–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 4-6 weeks to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are treated with gibberellic acid at 1,000 ppm for 24 hours. Then, they are rinsed in running water for 10 minutes and placed into a 60 day cold, moist stratification at 1 to 3 C.
Establishment: Follicles are collected in late August when they begin to split open. Seeds are easily extracted when follicles dehisce during drying. Seeds are shiny black at maturity. Capsules are kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Butterfield Seeds (seeds)