When does Western columbine bloom?

Aquilegia formosa typically flowers from May through July, with exact timing shifting by elevation and local snowmelt.

What pollinators visit Western columbine?

The nodding, spurred flowers of Aquilegia formosa attract hummingbirds along with bees and butterflies, which forage for nectar at the base of the spurs.

How much sun does Aquilegia formosa need?

This plant does best in part sun, though it can handle brighter or shadier spots depending on how much moisture is available in the soil.

How much water does Western columbine require?

Aquilegia formosa grows best with medium, consistent moisture but can adapt to wetter streambank sites or drier spells once it is established.

Is Aquilegia formosa a perennial?

Yes, it is a herbaceous perennial forb that dies back to the ground each year and regrows from its base the following spring.

Is Western Columbine toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Western Columbine as toxic to livestock.

Is Western Columbine HOA-friendly?

Western Columbine is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Western Columbine

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Aquilegia formosa

Last reviewed: September 2026

Aquilegia formosa is a western wildflower that blooms from May through July, producing red and yellow nodding flowers on plants suited to part sun and medium moisture in mountain meadows and open woodlands.

Toxicity unknown

Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Western Columbine as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states

Pollinators

hummingbirds, bees, butterflies

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

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Aquilegia formosa (Western Columbine) is a delicate perennial with distinctive red and yellow nodding flowers on slender stems. It grows 1-3 feet tall, blooming from May through July and performing best in partial shade with regular moisture.

Growing Western Columbine

Grow Western Columbine in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Western Columbine is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.

May self-seed if flower heads aren't removed
Can look somewhat sparse after blooming

Wildlife value

Host plant for Orangetip butterfly.

Western Columbine is highly attractive to hummingbirds and also supports native bees and butterflies. The nectar-rich flowers with their unique spurred shape are perfectly designed for hummingbird feeding.

Common questions

When does Western columbine bloom?: Aquilegia formosa typically flowers from May through July, with exact timing shifting by elevation and local snowmelt.
What pollinators visit Western columbine?: The nodding, spurred flowers of Aquilegia formosa attract hummingbirds along with bees and butterflies, which forage for nectar at the base of the spurs.
How much sun does Aquilegia formosa need?: This plant does best in part sun, though it can handle brighter or shadier spots depending on how much moisture is available in the soil.
How much water does Western columbine require?: Aquilegia formosa grows best with medium, consistent moisture but can adapt to wetter streambank sites or drier spells once it is established.
Is Aquilegia formosa a perennial?: Yes, it is a herbaceous perennial forb that dies back to the ground each year and regrows from its base the following spring.
Is Western Columbine toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Western Columbine as toxic to livestock.
Is Western Columbine HOA-friendly?: Western Columbine is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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.

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