By Cody King (2020)

Common names: Yellow Columbine, Texas Gold Columbine, Capote Columbine

Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana is a really popular short lived perennial plant that will offer color and attract hummingbirds. Also known as the Texas Gold Columbine, it is native to a specific area in the Big Bend region of west Texas. This herbaceous plant can get up to two feet tall and two feet wide if left in the proper growing conditions and cared for correctly. With its green stems mounding in a spot in the garden the plant will produce beautiful yellow flowers that are not fragrant but quite showy. Texas Gold Columbine is in the Ranunculaceae family or buttercup family, which includes some classics like larkspur, marsh marigold, and anemone. It is native to Capote falls which is in Presidio county in west Texas but will grow naturally near water sources like rivers.

The stems are pronounced and green with greenish or even gray-like leaves that are obovate and have scalloped edges and palmate venation. The stems will be smooth like the leaves and be not any bigger than the width of a pencil. If cared for correctly then it will produce beautiful yellow flowers from March all the way through May. The plant is semi-evergreen so depending on the weather or conditions the grower sets it may or may not die back and go dormant for the winter months. If the gardener wishes for more flowering time then once the flowers get done and are forming into the seed pods cut them back and let it try again! Every few years the plant can even be divided, so that one plant for the garden turns into two. How cool is that (Missouri Botanical Garden, 2020)!

This plant likes to be in organically rich soil that is well drained, but can tolerate growing in many soils if conditions are kept right. This plant will do well under a large tree or something to keep it out of full sun as it wants to be in some light shade. The soil acidity also has a role to play; they optimally desire slightly acidic soil but can handle alkalinity making east Texas soil good for the plant. It while in bloom will attract moths, butterflies, and bees plus hummingbirds want the nectar it produces. If the area in which the plant is trying to grow has poor soil drainage then the plant will start to show signs of crown rot. Another problem that can be relevant for the plant are aphids and spider mites if conditions are hot and dry. During the summer months if it is becoming too hot the foliage may start to decline. At that point many gardeners cut the plant back (Mcdonald,2020).

Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana is a great landscaping plant to use in a front yard, or large planting to add beautiful yellow blooms in the springtime. It is native to Texas and adds character to any planting.

Missouri Botanical Gardens (2020). Aquilegia chrysantha. Retrieved September 14, 2020, from https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286213&isprofile=0&

Mcdonald, C. (2020). U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved September 14, 2020, from https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/aquilegia_chrysantha.shtml