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Rock Columbine Aquilegia scopulorum

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
a-kwi-LEE-jee-a skoh-pew-LOR-um
Description

Utah Columbine is native to the rocky slopes, forests, and meadows in the mountains of Utah and Nevada. It can be found on limestone slopes from 7,000 to 11,000 foot elevations.  Tightly compact and dense mounding foliage is covered with medium blue long-spurred flowers held on short stems in spring. It also reblooms moderately throughout the summer and into fall.  Best grown from seed. Cold stratification (optimal timing undetermined, but 8 weeks seems adequate) is required for maximum germination. Even after stratification, germination can be sporadic and is sometimes low. 

This plant grows best in well-drained soils with low nitrogen, high PH or clay soils that dry out.  Prefers part shade but will do well in full sun with irrigation.  Rock columbine can withstand moderate drought conditions and is a good subject for dry shade or beds and borders in full sun. This species makes an exceptional rock garden specimen.   It is not ideal for humid hot summer areas. 

Rock columbine is one of the most interesting and beautiful species in the genus. Use it as a specimen plant in a rock garden. It can also be used to bring interest to shady areas or to accent other plants in beds, borders, or vertical gardens. Rock columbine is effective in a trough or pot. This plant is amenable to either formal or naturalized designs and can be incorporated almost anywhere in the landscape where a small plant is required.

Insect, Disease, and Other Plant Problems:  Rock columbine is commonly infested by aphids, spider mites, and powdery mildew, problems that are common to most columbine species. Aphids seldom reach populations that require control measures, but when they do, control options include insecticidal soap or an appropriate insecticide. Spider mites and powdery mildew affect the plants in late summer as the leaves age. If these pests make the plants unattractive, it is best to remove the old foliage to encourage production of new, attractive foliage.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Rock and Crevice Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#low growing#blue flowers#showy leaves#rabbit resistant#spreading#deer resistant#rock garden#partial shade tolerant#crevice garden#repeat flowering#meadow#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#low growing#blue flowers#showy leaves#rabbit resistant#spreading#deer resistant#rock garden#partial shade tolerant#crevice garden#repeat flowering#meadow#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aquilegia
    Species:
    scopulorum
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Western USA
    Distribution:
    Nevada and Utah
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees and hummingbirds
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Mountains
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Trumpet
    Flower Description:
    Blue and white to occasionally purplish long spurred flowers bloom in spring with reblooming during the summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Densely packed blue-green biternate leaves are compound and basal. Glabrous above and slightly glaucous below.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Rock Wall
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought