Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Ranunculaceae
Botanical Name
AQUILEGIA jonesii
Plant Common Name
Blue Limestone Columbine, Jone's Columbine
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
The rare blue limstone columbine is an alpine, small, herbaceous perennial native to the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta, Montana and Wyoming in westcentral North America. In its native habitat it's found in rocky crevices and screes in the higher mountain elevations. It has low, compact mounded habit and curiously elegant in and out of bloom.
In midsummer, it produces dainty, blue-violet to purple flowers with spurred nectaries that remain tucked in the tufts of foliage below. The leaves are cute, tiny crinkled clusters or tufts of blue-green.
Blue limestone columbine grows best in moist, but well-drained, alkaline soil and partial sun. It can be short-lived but self-sows gently and will naturalize slowly over time. As it will not transplant, it is not to be disturbed in the wild and should be grown from seed; sow it directly in the location it is to remain. Plant this columbine in any non-acidic rock garden or small alpine trough with gritty soil and organic matter. Bees are highly attracted to its nectar-rich flowers.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
7 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
2 - 7
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
5"-8" / 12.7cm - 20.3cm
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Width
6"-9" / 15.2cm - 22.9cm
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Bloom Time
Summer
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Native To
North America, Western United States, Canada, Europe, Asia
