Why choose native plants? Pacific Northwest native plants know how to live here and how to thrive here. They often need much less water and less fertilizer. They spread slowly and are not invasive. They support a wide diversity of wildlife. And best of all, they look great!
Western columbine is a wonderfully adaptable little plant that is perfectly happy in mostly shaded areas with damp soils such as the north sides of buildings, yet it also does fine open sunny meadows as well. Other than hot, dry locations, this plant seems happy just about anywhere. The flowers are not overwhelmingly active with visitors, but they do attract a surprisingly wide range of different types of pollinators ranging from hummingbirds to tiny Andrena mining bees and syrphid flies. This is a great native understory plant that can add a little bit of color in a space that might otherwise have few non-green options. Blooms May-August. The height of western columbine can reach as high as 40 inches with stems ranging between 6-40 inches tall. Photo courtesy of Northwest Meadowscapes.
