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Red & gold
Perennial wildflower

Western Columbine

Aquilegia formosa

The West's nodding red-and-gold columbine, the first big hummingbird draw of the mountain spring.

the Pacific NorthwestCaliforniathe Mountain Westthe Great Basin

Growing Western Columbine

Happiest in dappled light with steady moisture along a stream or woodland edge. Reseeds gently to form drifting colonies. It’s deer-resistant, and showy.

Where it grows

Western Columbine is native to the Pacific Northwest. In the wild you’ll find it across Arizona · California · Colorado · Idaho · Montana · Nevada · New Mexico · Oregon · Utah · Washington and 1 more states. Always confirm it suits your specific county with your state native plant society before planting.

Regional Garden shows Western Columbine on 11 state pages.

Good for

PollinatorsFor beesHummingbirdsDeer-resistantFor shade
Sourcing

Where to buy Western Columbine

Seeds & live plants on Amazon

Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.

Browse on Amazon

Some links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.

Plant it with

Companions & kin.

Natives that share Western Columbine’s range and conditions.

Evergreen shrub

Oregon Grape

Berberis aquifolium

Holly-like evergreen leaves, fragrant yellow spring flowers, and blue berries — Oregon's state flower.

  • Sun to shade
  • Dry–average
  • 3–6 ft
  • Blooms Mar–Apr
Perennial wildflower

Prairie Smoke

Geum triflorum

Nodding pink spring bells that turn into smoky, feathered seed plumes — the show after the flower.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry
  • 6–16 in
  • Blooms Apr–May