Aquilegia atrata | Dark Columbine | 10 Seeds

Aquilegia atrata, also known as Dark Columbine or Western Columbine, is a perennial wildflower native to North America. It grows up to 1-3 feet tall, with delicate, dark green, lobed leaves. In late spring to early summer, it produces nodding, bell-shaped flowers in shades of deep purple or almost black, with contrasting yellow stamens. This low-maintenance plant thrives in well-draining soil and partial shade, adding a touch of elegance to wildflower gardens and natural landscapes while attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.  Zones 4-9 Germination To germinate Aquilegia atrata seeds, begin by removing any debris or husks. Since Aquilegia atrata seeds have a hard outer coat, they benefit from a process called cold stratification to break dormancy. Place the seeds in a damp paper towel or in a plastic bag filled with moistened vermiculite or sand, and refrigerate them for 3-4 weeks. After stratification, prepare a seed starting tray or small pots filled with a well-draining seed start