Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
Western columbine is a common perennial wildflower in Western North America, frequenting oak woodlands, moist meadows and seeps. It is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. The flower color is striking with both red sepals and spurs contrasted with yellow blades hanging downwards. When happy, it can grow to 3 feet, and blooms from late spring through early summer. Hummingbirds love it.
In home gardens, columbine benefits from light shade and summer moisture. Western columbine will inter-breed freely with other garden columbines. Pull up seedlings with intermediate or odd-colored flowers or remove their flowering stems before they shed seed.
Contributed by Rachel Foster.
Fringecup (Tellima grandiflora)
