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Aquilegia chrysantha (Golden Columbine)

Golden Columbine, Golden-Flowered Columbine, Yellow Columbine, Southwestern Yellow Columbine

Aquilegia Chrysantha, Golden Columbine, Golden-Flowered Columbine,  Yellow Columbine, Southwestern Yellow Columbine, Yellow Aquilegia
Aquilegia Chrysantha, Golden Columbine, Golden-Flowered Columbine,  Yellow Columbine, Southwestern Yellow Columbine, Yellow Aquilegia

A popular garden columbine, Aquilegia chrysantha (Golden Columbine) is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial boasting masses of handsome, bright golden-yellow flowers up to 3 in. across (7 cm), with long, swept-back spurs and a bouquet of yellow anthers. Held erect rather than nodding, they rise on long stems above the bushy foliage of divided and fern-like, rich emerald green leaves and bloom for weeks with peak blooms varying from late spring to late summer. Moths, butterflies, and bees pollinate the blossoms. Prized for its showy flowers, relatively long blooming period, and fine-textured foliage, this southwestern US native is perfect for brightening dark corners of shade gardens. It is also most dramatic when cascading over a boulder or a wall.

  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm). Will self-seed readily in good garden soils if flowers are not deadheaded.
  • Performs best in light to moderate shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Golden Columbine tolerates heat and can tolerate a considerable amount of sun. However, in full sun, it can become stressed, with faded leaves. Seriously dislikes poorly drained soils. It may go dormant during drought, but minimal moisture and adequate shade can prevent this.
  • Attracts bumblebees and butterflies but is ignored by rabbits and deer!
  • Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens, shade gardens or naturalized areas. Makes good cut flowers!
  • Keep an eye out for aphids, powdery mildew, and downy mildew.
  • May be grown from seed sown directly in the garden in spring (after danger of frost has passed), late summer or early autumn.
  • Remove flowering stems after bloom to promote additional bloom. Cut back after flowering.
  • Native to Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Colorado.
  • Contact with the sap may irritate the skin.

Columbine: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for columbine like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Aquilegia
Common names Columbine
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Utah
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Aquilegia Songbird ‘Nightingale’ (Columbine)
Aquilegia coerulea Kirigami Rose & Pink (Columbine)
Aquilegia coerulea Kirigami Yellow (Columbine)
Aquilegia coerulea Kirigami Light Blue & White (Columbine)
Aquilegia Songbird ‘Goldfinch’ (Columbine)
Aquilegia Songbird ‘Robin’ (Columbine)

Recommended Companion Plants

Allium schubertii (Ornamental Onion)
Astrantia major ‘Roma’ (Great Masterwort)
Salvia x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’ (Wood Sage)
Allium ‘Mount Everest’ (Ornamental Onion)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Hummingbird
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Great Bulbs and Perennials as Companion Plants for Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Columbine: How to Grow and Care with Success
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Aquilegia
Common names Columbine
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Utah
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Not sure which Aquilegia (Columbine) to pick?
Compare Now

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