Columbines (Aquilegia) are spring- and early-summer-flowering perennials known for their distinctive flowers, many of which have long nectar-filled spurs extending behind the petals. Depending on the species or cultivar, the flowers may be blue, purple, red, pink, yellow, white, or bicolored, with forms ranging from delicate single blooms to densely layered doubles.

The genus Aquilegia includes species native to North America, Europe, and Asia, along with numerous garden hybrids and cultivars. Some columbines remain compact enough for containers and small gardens, while others produce taller flower stems that work well in cottage gardens, woodland edges, mixed borders, and naturalistic plantings.

In this guide, you’ll discover 22 beautiful columbine varieties and species, including native North American columbines, double-flowered cultivars, compact selections, and colorful hybrids. You’ll also learn about columbine flower forms, growing requirements, pollinator value, common problems, and how to choose the right type for your garden.

Flower Lovers Want to Know

Do columbines come back every year?

Yes. Columbines are herbaceous perennials that normally return for several growing seasons when suited to the climate and site. Individual plants can be relatively short-lived, but many columbines self-seed readily, allowing them to persist and gradually naturalize in suitable garden conditions.

Do columbines spread?

Columbines generally form relatively contained clumps rather than spreading aggressively through underground stems. However, many produce abundant seed and may establish new seedlings around the parent plants. Deadheading before seeds mature can reduce unwanted self-seeding.

Do different varieties of columbine cross-pollinate?

Yes. Different columbines growing near one another can cross-pollinate. Seedlings from hybrids and named cultivars may therefore produce flowers with different colors or forms from the parent plant.

What colors do columbine flowers come in?

Columbines occur in shades of blue, violet, purple, red, pink, yellow, white, and burgundy, as well as numerous bicolored combinations. Garden hybrids have greatly expanded the range of available colors.

Do hummingbirds like columbine flowers?

Yes. Hummingbirds visit several columbine species, particularly red and yellow long-spurred North American species such as eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). Bees and other pollinating insects also visit columbine flowers.

Which columbines are native to North America?

North America has numerous native Aquilegia species. Familiar examples include eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia coerulea), western columbine (Aquilegia formosa), and golden columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha).

Columbine Quick Facts

Characteristic	Details
Botanical name	Aquilegia spp.
Family	Ranunculaceae
Plant type	Herbaceous perennial
Typical height	About 1–3 feet, depending on species or cultivar
Bloom time	Late spring to early summer
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Moist but well-drained
Flower colors	Blue, purple, red, pink, yellow, white, burgundy, and bicolors
Hardiness	Commonly USDA Zones 3–9, depending on species or cultivar
Pollinators	Hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinating insects
Propagation	Primarily seed

What Are Columbine Flowers?

Columbines belong to the genus Aquilegia in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). They are herbaceous perennials found naturally across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

One of the most recognizable features of a typical columbine flower is its nectar spur. These narrow projections extend behind the petals and contain nectar that attracts pollinators. Spur length and flower orientation vary considerably among species and reflect different pollination strategies.

Garden columbines include both naturally occurring species and cultivars or hybrids selected for particular colors, flower shapes, plant sizes, or growth habits. Some double-flowered cultivars look very different from wild columbines and may have greatly reduced or absent spurs.

22 Beautiful Varieties of Columbine Flowers

From delicate native species with long, nectar-filled spurs to modern hybrids with large bicolored or double flowers, columbines offer remarkable diversity in both form and color. The following 22 selections highlight some of the most distinctive Aquilegia species, cultivars, and hybrid series for gardens and naturalistic plantings.

1. ‘Black Barlow’

Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Black Barlow’ is one of the most dramatic double-flowered columbines. Its densely layered flowers are deep purple-maroon and can appear almost black, particularly in subdued light.

Unlike classic columbines with prominent backward-pointing spurs, ‘Black Barlow’ produces double, almost pompon-like flowers with little resemblance to the traditional spurred form. The dark flowers work especially well alongside pale pink, white, or silver-toned plants.

Flower color: Deep purple-maroon
Flower form: Double
Height: About 24–30 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Cottage gardens, borders, dark-color planting schemes

2. ‘Nora Barlow’

‘Nora Barlow’ is a distinctive Aquilegia vulgaris cultivar with double flowers composed of narrow pinkish-red floral segments tipped with white and green.

Its unusual flower structure makes it one of the most recognizable Barlow columbines. Like ‘Black Barlow’, its densely layered blooms differ considerably from the classic long-spurred columbine form.

Flower color: Pinkish red, white, and green
Flower form: Double
Height: About 24–30 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Cottage gardens, mixed borders, cut-flower gardens

3. ‘William Guinness’

Aquilegia vulgaris ‘William Guinness’ produces distinctive dark purple to burgundy flowers with contrasting white centers. The dramatic bicolored blooms stand out particularly well against the plant’s blue-green foliage.

This old-fashioned-looking cultivar is well suited to cottage gardens and informal perennial borders.

Flower color: Dark purple-burgundy and white
Flower form: Single
Height: About 18–30 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–7
Best for: Cottage gardens, borders, contrasting color schemes

4. ‘Green Apples’

‘Green Apples’ is an unusual Aquilegia vulgaris cultivar valued for its pale green double flowers that gradually mature toward white.

Its densely layered, spurless blooms give it a very different appearance from traditional long-spurred columbines.

Flower color: Pale green aging toward white
Flower form: Double, spurless
Height: About 24–32 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9
Best for: Cottage gardens, woodland-style gardens, green-and-white planting schemes

5. Eastern Red Columbine

Eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a North American native wildflower with nodding red and yellow flowers and prominent backward-pointing spurs.

Its bright coloration and flower structure make it especially attractive to hummingbirds. The species works well in native plant gardens, woodland edges, rocky gardens, and naturalistic landscapes.

Flower color: Red and yellow
Flower form: Nodding, long-spurred
Height: About 1–3 feet
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Native gardens, hummingbird gardens, woodland edges

6. ‘Little Lanterns’

Aquilegia canadensis ‘Little Lanterns’ is a compact selection of eastern red columbine. It retains the species’ characteristic red and yellow flowers but stays considerably shorter than typical plants.

Its smaller size makes it particularly useful near the front of borders, in rock gardens, and in smaller native plantings.

Flower color: Red and yellow
Flower form: Nodding and spurred
Height: About 10–12 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Small gardens, rock gardens, border fronts, native plantings

7. Rocky Mountain Columbine

Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) is a North American species known for its elegant blue-and-white flowers with long, slender spurs. Native to the Rocky Mountain region, it is also the state flower of Colorado.

Flower color varies naturally, although the familiar blue-and-white form is particularly distinctive.

Flower color: Commonly blue and white
Flower form: Long-spurred
Height: About 1–2 feet
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Mountain gardens, native plantings, cool-climate perennial gardens

8. Golden Columbine

Golden columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha) is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It produces bright yellow flowers with exceptionally long, slender spurs.

The flowers are held relatively outward or erect compared with the strongly nodding blooms of some other columbines, making their unusual structure especially easy to appreciate.

Flower color: Yellow
Flower form: Long-spurred
Height: About 2–3 feet
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9
Best for: Native gardens, pollinator gardens, warm-region columbine plantings

9. Western Columbine

Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is native to western North America and produces nodding red and yellow flowers that are particularly attractive to hummingbirds.

Its natural association with moist woodland openings, slopes, and streamside habitats makes it particularly appropriate for naturalistic gardens within its native range.

Flower color: Red and yellow
Flower form: Nodding and spurred
Height: About 1–3 feet
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9
Best for: Native gardens, woodland edges, hummingbird gardens

10. McKana Giants

McKana Giants are hybrid columbines known for their large, long-spurred flowers and broad range of colors. Plants may produce combinations of blue, purple, red, pink, yellow, and white.

Because McKana Giants are often sold as seed mixtures, individual plants can differ considerably in flower color.

Flower color: Mixed and bicolored
Flower form: Large, long-spurred
Height: About 24–36 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Cottage gardens, mixed borders, colorful mass plantings

11. ‘Crimson Star’

‘Crimson Star’ is a striking bicolored columbine with dark crimson-red outer floral parts surrounding a contrasting white center. Its large flowers are outward-facing and carried on tall stems, making the red-and-white coloration particularly visible in borders.

The long, narrow spurs preserve the classic columbine silhouette, while the bold bicolored flowers make this cultivar especially effective in cottage gardens and mixed perennial borders.

Flower color: Crimson red and white
Flower form: Long-spurred, outward-facing
Height: About 24–36 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9
Best for: Borders, cottage gardens, cut flowers, bold color combinations

12. ‘Blue Star’

‘Blue Star’ produces graceful blue-and-white flowers with a more traditional nodding presentation and slender backward-pointing spurs.

Its softer flower orientation distinguishes it from modern blue-and-white hybrids bred for a more prominently displayed bloom.

Flower color: Blue, pale violet, and white
Flower form: Nodding and spurred
Height: Up to about 20 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Woodland-style gardens, cottage gardens, mixed borders

13. ‘Crystal Star’

‘Crystal Star’ is a white-flowered columbine valued for its bright coloring and classic spurred flower shape.

White flowers are particularly effective in partially shaded borders, where they remain visually prominent in lower light.

Flower color: White
Flower form: Spurred
Height: About 24–30 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9
Best for: White gardens, woodland borders, cottage gardens

14. ‘Swan Burgundy and White’

‘Swan Burgundy and White’ produces large bicolored flowers combining rich burgundy outer portions with contrasting white centers.

It belongs to the Swan series, which was bred for large flowers, good garden performance, and a particularly floriferous display.

Flower color: Burgundy and white
Flower form: Large and spurred
Height: About 20–24 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Borders, containers, cottage gardens

15. ‘Swan Blue and White’

‘Swan Blue and White’ combines blue outer floral parts with crisp white centers. Its flowers are prominently displayed above the foliage, giving the plant a particularly showy appearance in borders and containers.

The strong blue-and-white contrast gives this cultivar the classic coloration associated with many garden columbines.

Flower color: Blue and white
Flower form: Large and spurred
Height: About 20–24 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Mixed borders, cottage gardens, containers

16. ‘Clementine Rose’

‘Clementine Rose’ belongs to a group of columbines selected for distinctive double, upward-facing flowers. Its rose-pink blooms lack the prominent long spurs seen on many traditional Aquilegia flowers.

The upright flower presentation makes Clementine columbines look quite different from nodding wild species.

Flower color: Rose pink
Flower form: Double, largely spur-free
Height: About 14–18 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Containers, border fronts, cottage gardens

17. ‘Clementine Blue’

‘Clementine Blue’ produces upward-facing double flowers in blue to violet-blue shades. Like other members of the Clementine group, its blooms resemble small layered rosettes rather than conventional long-spurred columbines.

Flower color: Blue to violet-blue
Flower form: Double, upward-facing, largely spur-free
Height: About 14–18 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9
Best for: Containers, border fronts, cottage gardens

18. ‘Clementine Red’

‘Clementine Red’ adds deeper red tones to the unusual double-flowered Clementine form. Its upright blooms are displayed prominently above the foliage and differ markedly from the nodding, long-spurred flowers of many wild columbines.

Flower color: Red
Flower form: Double, upward-facing, largely spur-free
Height: About 14–18 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9
Best for: Containers, borders, colorful mixed plantings

19. ‘Biedermeier’ Columbine

‘Biedermeier’ columbines are compact plants grown for their colorful, frequently bicolored flowers. Their relatively short stature makes them particularly useful near the front of borders and in smaller gardens.

Plants grown from mixed seed may produce several flower colors rather than one predictable shade.

Flower color: Mixed and often bicolored
Flower form: Upward-facing, short-spurred
Height: About 12–18 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Best for: Small gardens, border fronts, containers

20. ‘Blackcurrant Ice’

Aquilegia flabellata ‘Blackcurrant Ice’ is a compact columbine known for its plum-purple outer floral parts and contrasting creamy centers.

Its smaller stature and unusual coloration make it useful where a dramatic columbine is wanted without the height of larger hybrid selections.

Flower color: Plum-purple and creamy white
Flower form: Spurred
Height: About 6–12 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 2–9
Best for: Containers, border fronts, small gardens

21. ‘Pink Petticoat’

‘Pink Petticoat’ produces distinctive semi-double to double flowers that combine rich pink tones with contrasting pale to white tips, creating a frilled, two-toned appearance.

Its layered flowers and old-fashioned coloring make it particularly well suited to cottage gardens and informal perennial borders.

Flower color: Pink with pale to white tips
Flower form: Semi-double to double
Height: About 28 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9
Best for: Cottage gardens, borders, romantic planting schemes

22. ‘Yellow Queen’

Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Yellow Queen’ is a long-spurred yellow cultivar valued for its large, bright flowers and elegant open form.

Its warm yellow blooms are particularly effective alongside blue- and purple-flowered columbines and other cool-toned perennials.

Flower color: Golden yellow
Flower form: Long-spurred
Height: About 30–42 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9
Best for: Mixed borders, pollinator gardens, yellow-and-blue planting schemes

Native North American Columbines

Columbines are not simply ornamental garden hybrids. North America has numerous native Aquilegia species, several of which make excellent garden plants when grown within suitable climates and conditions.

Species	Common Name	Flower Color	Typical Height	Native Region
Aquilegia canadensis	Eastern red columbine	Red and yellow	About 1–3 ft	Eastern and central North America
Aquilegia coerulea	Rocky Mountain columbine	Blue and white, with natural variation	About 1–2 ft	Rocky Mountains of western North America
Aquilegia formosa	Western columbine	Red and yellow	About 1–3 ft	Western North America
Aquilegia chrysantha	Golden columbine	Yellow	About 2–3 ft	Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico

Gardeners interested in native planting should choose an Aquilegia species native to their region and suited to their particular growing conditions.

Columbine Colors and Flower Forms

One reason columbines are so diverse is that their flowers vary in both color and structure.

Traditional columbine flowers usually have five prominent sepals surrounding five petals. Each petal extends backward into a nectar-containing spur, producing the characteristic shape associated with Aquilegia.

Garden cultivars have expanded considerably on this basic structure.

Long-spurred columbines have conspicuous narrow spurs and include many North American species and McKana-type hybrids.
Nodding columbines carry flowers that hang downward, as seen prominently in eastern red and western columbine.
Upward-facing columbines display their flower centers more prominently and are common among modern hybrid series.
Double columbines have additional layers of floral parts, creating fuller flowers. Barlow and Clementine cultivars are familiar examples.
Bicolored columbines combine contrasting colors within the same flower, such as blue and white, burgundy and white, or red and yellow.

How to Choose a Columbine Variety

The best columbine depends on the garden setting as much as flower color.

For native plant gardens, consider an Aquilegia species naturally occurring in your region.
For hummingbird gardens, red and yellow long-spurred species such as eastern red columbine and western columbine are particularly appropriate.
For double flowers, consider ‘Black Barlow’, ‘Nora Barlow’, or selections from the Clementine group.
For small gardens and containers, compact selections such as ‘Little Lanterns’, Biedermeier columbines, and some Clementine types are easier to accommodate.
For dramatic dark flowers, ‘Black Barlow’, ‘William Guinness’, and ‘Blackcurrant Ice’ provide deeper colors.
For classic long-spurred flowers, McKana Giants and several North American species display the characteristic columbine silhouette especially well.

Flower form can make two columbine cultivars look remarkably different, as illustrated by the contrast between the layered flowers of ‘Pink Petticoat’ and the more traditional spurred blooms of ‘Blue Star’.

How to Grow Columbines

Although requirements vary somewhat among species, most commonly cultivated columbines grow well in cool to moderate conditions with adequate moisture and good drainage.

Sunlight

Columbines generally grow in full sun to partial shade. In cool climates, many tolerate substantial direct sunlight, while afternoon shade is beneficial in hotter regions.

Excessive heat and intense afternoon sun can cause plants to decline earlier in summer.

Soil

Grow columbines in fertile, well-drained soil that retains some moisture without remaining waterlogged.

Adding organic matter can improve moisture retention in very sandy soils and improve structure in heavier soils, but drainage should remain a priority.

Planting Columbines

Plant nursery-grown columbines in spring or early fall, allowing enough time for roots to establish before periods of extreme heat or freezing weather. Position the crown at approximately the same depth it was growing in its container and space plants according to their mature size, commonly about 12–18 inches apart.

Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil evenly moist while plants establish. Because mature columbines can resent root disturbance, choose the planting location carefully rather than planning to move established plants frequently.

Watering

Keep newly planted columbines consistently moist while their root systems become established. Once established, water deeply when the upper layer of soil begins to dry, particularly during extended dry periods. Plants growing in full sun or containers may require more frequent watering than those in partially shaded garden beds.

Avoid keeping the soil continuously saturated, as poorly drained conditions can contribute to crown and root rot. A light layer of organic mulch can help conserve moisture and keep the root zone cooler during warm weather.

Fertilizing

Columbines growing in reasonably fertile garden soil generally require little supplemental fertilizer. Compost or a light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is usually sufficient where soil fertility is low.

Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Deadheading

Remove faded flowers if you want a tidier appearance or wish to limit self-seeding.

If you want columbines to naturalize, leave some seed heads in place and allow them to mature. Keep in mind that seedlings from hybrids and cultivars may not resemble their parents.

Hardiness

Many commonly cultivated columbines perform well in approximately USDA Zones 3–9, although hardiness varies among species and cultivars.

Rather than relying on a general zone range for the entire genus, check the requirements of the particular columbine you intend to grow.

Growing Columbines From Seed

Seed is one of the easiest ways to propagate columbines. Many species also self-seed naturally when mature seed heads are allowed to remain on the plants.

Depending on the species and seed source, germination may improve after exposure to a period of cool, moist conditions. Purchased seed should be sown according to the supplier’s recommendations because pretreatment requirements can vary.

When several columbine varieties grow together, cross-pollination is possible. Seedlings may therefore produce unexpected colors and flower forms.

Established columbines have relatively delicate root systems and can resent disturbance, so routine division is generally unnecessary. Young seedlings are usually easier to move than mature plants.

Growing Columbines in Containers

Compact columbines such as ‘Little Lanterns’, Biedermeier selections, and Clementine cultivars can be grown successfully in containers. Choose a pot with drainage holes and use a moisture-retentive but well-draining potting mix.

Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering than those in the ground, particularly during warm or windy weather. Avoid allowing pots to remain waterlogged, and protect container-grown plants from extreme summer heat. In cold climates, remember that roots in above-ground containers are exposed to lower temperatures than those growing in garden soil.

Columbines and Pollinators

Columbine flowers provide nectar for a variety of pollinators, but different flower forms can attract different visitors.

Long-spurred red and yellow North American columbines are particularly associated with hummingbird pollination. Other columbines are visited by bumblebees, other bees, and additional pollinating insects.

The relationship between spur length and pollinators is one of the most interesting botanical characteristics of the genus and helps explain the remarkable diversity of Aquilegia flowers.

Best Companion Plants for Columbines

Columbines combine particularly well with plants that enjoy similar conditions and provide interest after columbine flowering begins to decline.

Good companions can include:

Ferns
Hostas
Heucheras
Brunnera
Hardy geraniums
Bleeding hearts
Woodland phlox

When choosing companions, match plants according to sunlight, soil moisture, and drainage rather than appearance alone.

Common Columbine Pests and Problems

Columbines are generally manageable garden perennials, but leaf miners, sawflies, fungal diseases, and poorly drained soil can occasionally cause problems. Foliage may also decline naturally after flowering, particularly during hot summer weather, so not every case of yellowing or deteriorating foliage indicates a pest or disease.

Columbine Leaf Miners

Leaf miner larvae tunnel between the surfaces of the leaves, creating pale, winding trails. Although the damage can look severe, it is often primarily cosmetic and usually does not threaten an otherwise healthy plant. Remove badly affected leaves if desired and dispose of them rather than leaving them around the plants.

Columbine Sawflies

Columbine sawfly larvae feed on foliage and can rapidly strip leaves when populations are high. The small, caterpillar-like larvae are often found along leaf edges or undersides in spring. Inspect plants regularly and hand-pick larvae when practical; early detection can prevent extensive defoliation.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew produces a white or grayish powdery coating on the leaves. Provide adequate spacing and good air circulation, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, and remove badly affected foliage when necessary. Watering at soil level can also help keep foliage dry, although powdery mildew does not require continuously wet leaves to develop.

Crown and Root Rot

Persistently wet, poorly drained soil can contribute to crown and root rot, causing plants to wilt, yellow, or collapse. Improve drainage and avoid planting columbines in low areas where water regularly collects.

Why Is My Columbine Dying Back in Summer?

Columbine foliage may yellow, become ragged, or die back after flowering, particularly during hot summer weather. This does not necessarily mean the plant has died; many columbines naturally become less attractive as temperatures rise.

Remove deteriorating foliage once it is no longer contributing to the plant’s appearance. Companion plants positioned nearby can help fill the resulting gap later in the growing season. Continue to avoid both severe drought and waterlogged soil around the dormant or partially dormant crown.

Are Columbines Toxic?

Columbines (Aquilegia spp.) should be treated as ornamental plants rather than edible garden plants. Toxicity information varies among species and plant parts, but some horticultural references list columbine roots and other underground parts as potentially toxic if ingested.

Because toxicity can vary among species and plant parts, avoid allowing children or pets to chew or consume columbines, particularly the roots and other underground portions. If a pet consumes a substantial amount of plant material or develops symptoms afterward, contact a veterinarian or animal poison-control service for advice.

Columbine Flower Meaning and Symbolism

The common name “columbine” is derived from the Latin columba, meaning dove, traditionally referring to the resemblance of parts of the flower to a group of doves.

Columbines have acquired different symbolic associations over time, including religious symbolism connected with the Holy Spirit in European Christian tradition. Other historical interpretations associated the unusual flower shape with a fool’s cap.

Modern flower meanings vary considerably among sources and cultures, so symbolic interpretations should be treated as traditions rather than fixed botanical meanings.

Final Thoughts

Columbines offer considerably more variety than the familiar blue-and-white forms might suggest. Gardeners can choose from compact cultivars, tall hybrids, double Barlow selections, long-spurred flowers, native North American species, and varieties in shades ranging from nearly black to white, yellow, pink, blue, and red.

When choosing a columbine, consider more than flower color. Mature size, flower form, sunlight, summer temperatures, and whether you want a native species or ornamental cultivar can all help determine the best choice.

With suitable soil, moisture, and light, columbines can provide an impressive late-spring display while also supporting hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators. Allowing selected plants to set seed can also produce new combinations of colors and forms, making columbines an especially interesting perennial for informal and naturalistic gardens.