Plant of the Week
Columbine Hinkleys (Aquilegia chrysantha)
Columbines for Texas? You bet! These aren't the wimpy Colorado kind that last about as long as an ice cube in our brutal Texas climate. We have two native types that love a shade to part sun location here in Central Texas. They will put on a eye catching spring show in a container or a shady landscape bed.
Hinkley's columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha) bears stunning, long-spurred yellow blossoms atop scalloped, bluish gray-green foliage that forms compact mounds about 18 to 24 inches tall.
Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) bears blooms that are smaller but very attractive.
Both forms attract hummingbirds and can thrive in a dry shade by casting seed and "disappearing" for the hot dry season to return the following fall. These two types will also cross forming interesting mixes of the two species.
Related Episodes
