Aquilegia spp.
Origin: Western North America
Improvement status: Breeding population
Seeds per packet: ~100
Germination tested 11/2025: 90%
Life cycle: Perennial
Columbine is one of the most beautiful, graceful, and diverse flowers, coming in a wide spectrum of colors from pink, yellow, white, orange, and red, to less common colors like blue, black, green and brown. The blooms also vary in form, including cute frilly petals that look like ladies petticoats, clematis-like flowers, and long spurs resembling fairy hats. There are also varieties with variegated leaves.
This mix comes from Ann and Noel of Homestead Culture in southern Oregon. Ann writes, "The parentage of this grex includes seeds from various farms from California to Washington. I’ve become a columbine enthusiast because the seeds are so easy to collect and the plants easy to grow. Whenever I see a columbine that I don’t have yet, I ask permission to save the seeds to add to my populations. I’ve also collected wild columbine seeds (here in Oregon, they’re a bright orange color). My newest addition are columbines with variegated yellow/green leaves and green flowers."
This population includes both native Aquilegia coerulea (Rocky Mountain Blue Columbine) and the European species Aquilegia vulgaris (Common Columbine).
GROWING TIPS: Columbine seeds benefit from 1-2 months cold-moist stratification for better germination. Sow seeds in the fall or early spring outdoors, or stratify in a fridge. Lightly cover seeds or press them into the soil to keep them in place. Transplant to 4″ pots when first true leaves appear. Harden off and plant about 1 foot apart. Likes shady woodlands and borders. Plants grow to between 1 and 3 feet tall.
