Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
Western Columbine is a perennial for mid-border, suited to full sun to partial shade and loam or sandy soil, flowering Apr, May, Jun, Jul.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 60 cm |
| Spread | 45 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 4a-8b |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | No |
Where to use it in a border
At around 60 cm, it sits best through the middle of a border, between taller structure behind and edging in front. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 4a to 8b, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of full sun, sandy soil, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Western Columbine's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Black Sagefor height behind it
- Catalina Perfumeto edge in front
- Cedros Island Verbenato edge in front
- Coast Silktasselfor height behind it
- Pacific Coast Iristo edge in front
- Pacific Reedgrassfor height behind it