Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Blue, Purple, White, Multi-Colored

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half, Shade

 

Water

Medium, High

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Ranch, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Rocky Mountain Columbine is the state flower of Colorado, and is treasured for its big blue and white flowers. Foliage emerges from a basal clump, is blue-green, and deeply lobed. Flowers are on wiry stems, with slightly recurved sepals of blue to violet, and the center petals white to pale violet. Blooms late spring. Grows about 18 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Lovely in shady gardens, rock gardens, and under trees with dappled shade.

Grow in well drained, loamy soil in full sun to full shade, though will need more water in full sun situations. Deadheading will usually prolong the bloom season, and as they make lovely cut flowers, snip them off and tuck them in a vase while they are still fresh. Generally, columbine go dormant during the hottest part of the summer; they are also usually a short-lived perennial but are generous reseeders if planted where they are content. Hybrids, however, are not true to seed so future generations of columbine may appear different if you planted hybrid forms. Hardy to USDA Zone 3. During blooming, they appreciate regular watering, but as they go dormant, reduce the frequency of irrigation.