Aquilegia nigrescens (Columbines) — perennial

Overview

Aquilegia nigrescens is a perennial in the genus Aquilegia, part of the Ranunculaceae family. Aquilegia nigrescens grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained soils. It is native to Mexico.

About

Aquilegia nigrescens is a perennial columbine in the Ranunculaceae, representative of a genus notable for spurred petals and marked variability. Plants of this genus typically have stiff stems and leaves divided into multiple leaflets, with flowers composed of five sepals and five petals. Petals often form nectar-bearing spurs whose length can differ between taxa. Flowering period is May to July.

About the genus

Aquilegia, commonly known as columbines, is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae (buttercups). The genus includes between 70 and 400 taxa with natural ranges across the Northern Hemisphere. Natural and introduced populations of Aquilegia exist on all continents but Antarctica.

Wikipedia contributors, "Aquilegia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Aquilegia

In the garden

Aquilegia nigrescens sits within the genus Aquilegia, a group of perennial flowering plants in the Ranunculaceae that occurs across the Northern Hemisphere and has natural and introduced populations on every continent except Antarctica. The genus shows wide morphological variation and a strong tendency to hybridise, which has produced the many cultivated forms gardeners use today. Stems are typically erect and leaves divided into several leaflets, while flowers usually have five sepals and five petal spurs; spur length varies between taxa and has evolved in relation to different pollinators. Expect bloom from May to July. Because forms differ so much, consult the plant or cultivar label for specific height and site needs rather than relying on a single rule for the whole genus. Many growers select particular Aquilegia forms to fit a chosen role; check available cultivars for the flower form and spur length you want. If you need to preserve the distinct appearance of Aquilegia nigrescens, keep it separate from other columbines in the garden, as interbreeding is common and readily produces intermediate offspring.