Aquilegia chrysantha Yellow Queen seeds - Columbine

Aquilegia chrysantha 'Yellow Queen' is a majestic columbine adapted to mountainous areas. This cultivar is distinguished by its large, long-spurred flowers in a very bright lemon yellow, ideal for adding a touch of elegance and vibrant colour in shaded or partially sunny areas of the garden. Plant it in a border, a flower bed, or in a slightly shaded rockery.

Aquilegia chrysantha 'Yellow Queen' belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, like all columbines, but also like anemones. The species, called golden columbine, is native to canyons and wet areas in the southern United States and northern Mexico. The 'Yellow Queen' cultivar is a perennial plant that reaches a height of 60 to 80 cm with a similar width. This variety is characterised by bright yellow flowers with long curved spurs, measuring up to 7 cm in diameter. These flowers appear in spring, usually between April and May, and emit a light fragrance. The foliage consists of delicate, finely cut leaves, often compared to ferns. These leaves are a bluish-green or medium green. Each leaf is divided into rounded lobes, giving the foliage a light, airy texture. It is a vigorous plant with moderate growth that naturalises easily in gardens under suitable conditions. It is hardy down to -35 °C and tolerates a wide range of soils, provided they are well-drained. Its above-ground vegetation is deciduous: it often disappears at the end of the flowering season, especially when summer temperatures are high. The plant goes into dormancy after flowering or in autumn (depending on the climate) before reappearing the following spring.

This 'Yellow Queen' columbine thrives in gently shaded areas of the garden. It pairs well with Heucheras, Bleeding Hearts, and shade-loving perennial geraniums (Geranium phaeum).