How much sun does Van houtte's columbine need?

Van houtte's columbine grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Van houtte's columbine bloom?

Van houtte's columbine blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Van houtte's columbine native?

Van houtte's columbine (Aquilegia eximia) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Van houtte's columbine attract?

Van houtte's columbine draws hummingbirds.

Van houtte's columbine

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Aquilegia eximia

Last reviewed: September 2026

Van houtte's columbine (Aquilegia eximia) is a perennial forb native to CA. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown

Van houtte's columbine (Aquilegia eximia) 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 shade

Water

medium

Size

18"–36" H × 12"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

Pollinators

hummingbirds

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 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture 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 Van houtte's columbine.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains

A perennial forb with divided, fan-shaped leaflets and tall stems bearing nodding, red and yellow spurred flowers held well above the foliage. Grows in seeps and moist slopes, often on serpentine soils, forming a neat basal clump.

Growing Van houtte's columbine

Grow Van houtte's columbine in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 18 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.

Wildlife value

The long floral spurs hold nectar that is accessible mainly to hummingbirds and long-tongued insects, making the species an important early-summer hummingbird nectar source.

Common questions

How much sun does Van houtte's columbine need?: Van houtte's columbine grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Van houtte's columbine bloom?: Van houtte's columbine blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Van houtte's columbine native?: Van houtte's columbine (Aquilegia eximia) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Van houtte's columbine attract?: Van houtte's columbine draws hummingbirds.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Van houtte's columbine? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app