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