Care of the plant Aquilegia coerulea or Colorado blue columbine |
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The genus Aquilegia, family Ranunculaceae, comprises 70 species of perennial herbaceous plants native to North America, Central Europe, and South Africa. Some species are: Aquilegia coerulea, Aquilegia vulgaris, Aquilegia alpina, Aquilegia chrysantha, Aquilegia formosa, Aquilegia elegantula. Common names: Colorado blue columbine, Rocky Mountain columbine. This species is native to the Rocky Mountains from Montana to New Mexico. They are herbaceous plants with highly branched erect stems and bluish-green lobed-compound leaves. The curious trumpet-shaped flowers open upwards can be white, blue, red, yellow, orange, pink, violet, brown or lilac. They bloom from late spring to early summer. They are used in rockeries, borders, next to ponds or in pots. They are also used as cut flowers for bouquets. Aquilegia coerulea needs exposure to full sun or semi-shade. They do not tolerate frost. The soil must be neutral or slightly acidic and contain siliceous sand to facilitate drainage. The planting is done after the danger of frost. Irrigation will be frequent, so that the soil is always wet; it's important not to puddle. It's advisable to prune the withered flowers. They can be attacked by powdery mildew (fungi), mealybugs and aphids. They can propagate by division or by seeds in spring; It is important not to sow them in full sun, but in the shade. |
Images of the plant Aquilegia coerulea or Colorado blue columbine |
 Aquilegia coerulea  Aquilegia coerulea  Aquilegia coerulea  Aquilegia coerulea  Aquilegia coerulea  Aquilegia coerulea  Aquilegia vulgaris  Aquilegia vulgaris  Aquilegia vulgaris |