Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Yellow Queen’ – Golden Columbine

A Southwestern species, mostly occurring in Arizona and New Mexico, but performing well in the East. The flowers are considerably larger than our local native (Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis), but with a similar form including long nectar spurs that are designed to feed hummingbirds – not surprising since the Southwest has a diverse array of hummingbird species. This is not a desert species though – it grows mostly in moist canyons and around spring seeps in the mountains and prefers a little shade. It’s also best if the soil is well-drained and dries out through the summer.