Quick answer: Colorado blue columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) is native to 9 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically seeds, verified 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Laura Gaudette https://www.inaturalist.org/people/gaudettelaura, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Moist |
| Soil | Moist, talus & rocky soils |
| Bloom | Jun-Aug |
| Height | Up to 30 in |
| Wildlife value | Nectar for long-tongued insects and hummingbirds |
none noted; vulnerable to aphids in open areas
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Seeds via Amazon · listing verified 15 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Colorado blue columbine
Where is Colorado blue columbine native?
Colorado blue columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) is native to 9 states across the Midwest and West. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Colorado blue columbine bloom?
Colorado blue columbine blooms Jun-Aug. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Colorado blue columbine need?
Light: Shade. Water: Moist. Soil: Moist, talus & rocky soils. Mature height: Up to 30 in.
Is Colorado blue columbine good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Nectar for long-tongued insects and hummingbirds.
Is Colorado blue columbine deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Colorado blue columbine is deer-resistant and tolerates shade.
Where can I buy real Colorado blue columbine seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seeds that names the true species, last checked 15 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Aquilegia coerulea on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Colorado blue columbine.
- Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Rocky Mountain penstemon Penstemon strictus
- Scarlet bugler Penstemon barbatus
- Silvery lupine Lupinus argenteus
- Rocky Mountain iris Iris missouriensis
- Firecracker penstemon Penstemon eatonii
Also listed under
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