General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerates wide range of soils except heavy, poorly drained ones. prefers rich, moist soils with light to moderate shade. This species tolerates heat and sun better than most other species, however. Remove flowering stems after bloom to courage additional bloom. Keep soils uniformly moist after bloom to prolong attractive foliage appearance. When foliage depreciates, plants may be cut to the ground. Reseeds well in optimum growing conditions as long as flowers are not deadheaded.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This columbine is native to the Big Bend area of Texas. It is a bushy, clump-forming plant that typically grows 18-24" tall (more compact and shorter than the species). Features large, fragrant, butter-yellow flowers with long, outward curving spurs. Blooms in spring. Triternate, almost fern-like, basal green foliage with a bluish tinge is somewhat suggestive of meadow rue (Thalictrum). This native is synonymous with and sometimes sold by nurseries as Aquilegia hinckleyana. Aquilegia comes from the Latin word for eagle in reference to the flower's five spurs which purportedly resemble an eagle's talon.