Aquilegia Coerulea (Rocky Mountain Blue Columbine)

A flower that is synonymous with the Rockies and particularly Colorado. The Blue Columbine is a bushy perennial that grows to about 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. But what it is really known for is its blue flowers! These flowers are distinctly shaped with petals that extend backward forming a slender spur with bulbous, glandular tips. They are also distinctly blue, ranging from a pale-almost white hue to a rich periwinkle blue. These summer show stoppers could quite possibly be the most photographed flower.

When picking the perfect spot in your landscaping you may want to consider adding these to a rock garden but these plants tolerate a wide range of soils and PH levels so you can really plant them in many places. However, they prefer rich, moist soils with light to moderate shade.

Although plants only live for 2-3 years, they commonly reseed themselves so new plants will likely pop up near the original planting to ensure your homage to the Rocky Mountains returns year after year.

Also often referred to as the Rocky Mountain Columbine because they are common throughout the Rocky Mountains at elevations from 6000 to 10,000 feet. Their favorite places to linger are in sagebrush, pinyon-juniper forests, or alpine tundras but they are especially common in Aspen stands.

In addition to adding a mountain flare to your garden, the flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

Fun Fact: Colorado’s obsession with this flower spans centuries: In 1899, children voted to make it the state flower. In 1915, “Where the Columbines Grow,” became Colorado’s state song. And, in 1925, the state gave the flower protected status.