Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) is a perennial plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia coerulea).
This plant has several common names including: Rocky Mountain columbine or Colorado blue columbine.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Rocky Mountain columbine, Colorado blue columbine
Scientific name: Aquilegia coerulea
Plant type: Perennials
Habit: Clump-forming
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Informal Garden
Planting type: Cut Flowers, Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) – Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Perennial plants are one of the largest groups of plants.
They offer color, shape, fragrance and seasonal textures. The variety is such that there are plants to suit all sizes and styles of garden.
Traditionally, perennials are grown in borders, using a wall or hedge as a backdrop to bring out all their splendor during summer.
But since most gardens are not large enough for long borders dedicated exclusively to perennials, they are usually planted in mixed borders and beds, along with shrubs, annuals, biennials, and bulbs that extend the season of interest.
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia coerulea), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Aquilegia coerulea likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) – Ejohnsonboulder, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
