Aquilegia eximia
“Serpentine Columbine”

Hard to find & wonderful to have! I’m delighted that we’re able to offer this distinguished California Native. Distinct & regal, the blooms are nodding, with widely spaced red spurs. Large flowers, almost 2” across, look uniquely crown like. Can grow up to a jaw-dropping 5’ tall & over time will form a caudex (bulbous root mass.) To maintain, simply remove the ragged leaves every so often – once a year at most. Requires far less maintenance than other Aquilegia species because the leaves are virtually immune to powdery mildew & exude a (probably protective) substance that feels a bit greasy. Native to serpentine soils & very tolerant of clay, it prefers a relatively moist situation, but can tolerate drought once established. Native to the coastal ranges of California, including the Bay Area.

Claire Woods
Propagator