Rocky Mountain Blue Columbine

Rocky Mountain Blue is a blue-and-white columbine with long-spurred flowers held above finely divided, gray-green foliage. This compact spring perennial fits a mixed border, woodland edge, rock garden, or container, especially where it receives some protection from hot afternoon sun. ## Form and season The named selection is described by Swift Greenhouses as a Rocky Mountain native with blue and white flowers, an 18–24 inch height, and 24 inch spacing. Hillcrest Nursery likewise lists blue outer petals around white inner petals and a 24 inch spread. [Swift Greenhouses](https://www.swiftgreenhouses.com/plant/Aquilegia-Caerulea-Rocky-Mountain-Blue) · [Hillcrest Nursery](https://www.hillcrestnursery.com/plant/Aquilegia-caerulea-Rocky-Mountain-Blue) Chicago Botanic Garden describes the species’ spring flowers, full sun to partial shade, moderately moist fertile soil, and USDA zones 3–8. It notes that this columbine is short-lived and benefits from self-sowing. [Chicago Botanic Garden](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plant-information/plant-finder/aquilegia-caerulea-colorado-columbine) ## Siting Use partial shade in warmer climates; full sun can work where soil moisture is maintained. Columbines prefer moist, well-drained soil and may struggle in hot, humid summers. Iowa State University Extension notes that columbines attract bees and hummingbirds and that hybrids may not come true from seed. [Iowa State Extension](https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-columbine) ## Maintenance Remove faded flowers to limit unwanted seedlings, or leave some seed capsules to renew a short-lived planting. Trim spent foliage after flowering if leaf-miner damage is distracting; the tunnels are usually cosmetic. Keep the root zone evenly moist during active growth and avoid heavy, waterlogged ground.