Aquilegia chrysantha, commonly known as golden columbine, canary columbine, or southwestern yellow columbine, is a charming perennial that creates a lovely bushy clump and typically reaches a height of 1 to 3 feet. It is found nestled in the canyons of western Texas, southern New Mexico, southern Utah, and Arizona. Its range extends into northern Mexico, and there is a standalone population in southern Colorado.
In early spring, from March to early May, the plant showcases bright yellow flowers, each with five beautiful petals. These petals dress themselves in a short tube, leading to a unique, slender, tapered spur that gracefully curves backward or outwards. The flowers are also adorned with five-pointed petaloid sepals, which are just a bit longer than the petals and have a softer yellow hue. You’ll even catch a whiff of their gentle fragrance! Golden columbine is a popular choice for creating hybrid long-spurred columbines, thanks to its striking long spurs. Its basal leaves are usually 3-ternate and compound palmate.
This delightful plant typically thrives without the need for support as long as it receives adequate moisture during the growing season. It flourishes best in organically rich, moist, sandy loams with light to moderate shade, but it is quite adaptable and can tolerate various types of well-drained soils. To improve drainage in clay soils, a little sand can work wonders! Notably, golden columbine handles heat and sun better than many of its relatives. After the blooming period, removing the flowering stems can encourage even more vibrant color. To keep the foliage looking lovely, maintain uniform moisture after blooming. When the foliage starts to fade, it’s perfectly fine to cut the plants back to the ground. Under optimal growing conditions, golden columbine will happily seed itself if the flowers are left untouched!
BONAP MAP
Height: 1.5’-2.5’ Spread: 1.5’-2.5’ Bloom: April-May Light: Full Sun-Dappled Shade Water: Medium Zone: 4-8 Origin: Texas
