Rocky Mountain columbine
Aquilegia caerulea
Last reviewed: November 2026
Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia caerulea) is a perennial forb native to CO, NM, WY. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw hummingbirds, hawkmoths, and bees.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Rocky Mountain columbine, free in the app.
Toxicity unknown
Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia caerulea) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–30" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CO, NM, WY
Pollinators
hummingbirds, hawkmoths, bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Rocky Mountain columbine.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
An upright wildflower with delicate blue-green compound leaves and large nodding flowers with blue and white petals and long spurs. Grows in clumps in mountain meadows and aspen groves.
Growing Rocky Mountain columbine
Grow Rocky Mountain columbine in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 30 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The long floral spurs are specially suited to hummingbirds and long-tongued hawkmoths, with bees also visiting for pollen.
Common questions
- How much sun does Rocky Mountain columbine need?
- Rocky Mountain columbine grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Rocky Mountain columbine bloom?
- Rocky Mountain columbine blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Rocky Mountain columbine native?
- Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia caerulea) is native to CO, NM, WY, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Rocky Mountain columbine attract?
- Rocky Mountain columbine draws hummingbirds, hawkmoths, and bees.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Rocky Mountain columbine? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.