“Aquilegia caerulea, commonly known as the Rocky Mountain Columbine, or Colorado Blue Columbine, was discovered in 1820 on Pike’s Peak in Colorado by Edwin James, a mountain climber. It was named the official state flower of Colorado in 1899 and is a protected species making it illegal to uproot the flower on public lands. The Latin word “aquila” means “eagle” and refers to the claw-like spurs at the base of the flower.”
Click here to download and read the full article in the winter issue of the Garden Club of America’s Real Dirt magazine about native plants in all of GCA’s 12 zones.