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Gerald L. Klingaman
Ranunculaceae
AQUILEGIA canadensis
Canadian Columbine, Red Columbine
The easy to grow red columbine is an airy, herbaceous perennial native to the eastern United States and Canada. In its native habitat it's found in open woodlands and forest margins, so it's quite shade tolerant and ideal for naturalistic woodland gardens. It has an open habit and elegant look when in bloom.
In late spring to early summer, its tall branched stems bear dainty, nodding, red and yellow flowers with prominent spurred nectaries. These are subtended by delicate, ferny, three-parted leaves of soft green to blue-green that disappear by fall.
Red columbine grows best in moist, but well-drained, soil and partial sun. It can be short-lived but self-sows gently and will naturalize over time. Deadhead spent flowers immediately if you don’t want new plants to seed in. The leaves of all columbine may be damaged by leaf miners.
Plant these in any informal shaded border. Hummingbirds and bees are highly attracted to its nectar-rich flowers. After flowering they offer little to no ornamental interest, so be sure to interplant them with annuals and perennials that look pretty later in the season.
8 - 1
3 - 8
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Perennial
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
12"-32" / 30.5cm - 81.3cm
12"-24" / 30.5cm - 61.0cm
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Canada
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Fast
Average Water
Clump-Forming
Spring, Summer
Showy
Yellow, Red, Orange Red
Bicolor
Brown
Green, Sea Green, Blue Green
Green, Sea Green, Blue Green, Yellow Green
No
Single
Medium
Matte
Cutflower, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Hummingbirds
Yes
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