Alpine Columbine (Aquilegia alpina)
[ak-will-EE-jah al-PINE-ah]

Deciduous Perennial Upright, bushy, Clump-forming in the Ranunculaceae Family
Discover Aquilegia alpina, the alpine columbine -- among the largest-flowered columbines, with vivid blue and violet blooms and dramatically long spurs above tidy mounds of blue-green foliage.

Aquilegia alpina, the alpine columbine, is an herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), native to subalpine meadows and rocky, carbonate-rich slopes in the mountains of France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. Its large, nodding blue-to-purple flowers carry unusually long, straight-to-slightly-curved spurs -- the longest of any Eurasian columbine -- above mounds of finely divided, blue-green foliage. Note: much of what's sold in the trade under this name is actually a hybrid with garden columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), identifiable by hooked rather than straight spurs; true A. alpina is less common in cultivation.

Pros

  • Large, striking blue-to-purple flowers with unusually long spurs
  • Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies
  • Cold-hardy and low-maintenance once established
  • Attractive blue-green foliage even out of bloom

Cons

  • Plants sold as 'alpina' are frequently hybrids with A. vulgaris rather than the true alpine species
  • Like most columbines, individual plants are relatively short-lived
  • Susceptible to leaf miner
Why Like In its native subalpine meadows and rocky slopes across the French, Swiss, Austrian, and Italian Alps, alpine columbine produces some of the largest flowers in the genus -- vivid blue-to-violet blooms up to about 3.5 inches across with long, elegant spurs. It's a plant of high, open, carbonate-rich ground, and true wild-type seed strains are prized by alpine and rock-garden specialists for keeping that compact, sturdy alpine character rather than drifting toward the taller habit and hooked spurs typical of garden hybrids.
Highlights One of the largest-flowered columbines, alpine columbine produces nodding blue and violet blooms with dramatically long spurs above neat mounds of blue-green foliage. Its more compact, sturdy habit suits a rock garden or the front of a perennial border, where the flowers can be appreciated up close.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 18 - 24 inches tall. 10 - 12 inches wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium : Average to Moist, well-drained
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Extended Bloom Time, Filler, For a Shady Spot, Formal Garden, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Medium, Medium, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period Late Spring - Early Summer
Flower Color Blue/Purple
Foliage Color Gray-Green

Commonly Planted with...

Alpine and rock-garden companions such as dwarf conifers, sedums, and other compact alpines; in a border, pair with spring bulbs or low groundcovers.
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 04/13 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 08/05

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!