Red Columbine

Red / Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is loved by hummingbirds. It is a herbaceous perennial, so it dies back each winter, and belongs to the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It grows to about 24″ to 36″ (60 to 90 cm) tall, and can be found in a wide variety of environments; forests and forest edges, meadows, rocky slopes. It will take full sun if it gets enough water but generally likes part-sun and well-drained soils. Red Columbine has evolved with hummingbirds and the down hanging flowers of red and yellow will bend up to accommodate hummingbirds, as they put their beak into the flower. The flowers appear around May to July depending on the amount of sun it gets. It also attracts butterflies and bees, and is a great plant for an open woodland setting.