Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-kwih-LEE-jee-ah kan-ah-DEN-sis
- Description
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Columbine is an easy plant to grow because it adapts itself to a wide variety of conditions; however, it grows best in moist, rich, well-drained soil with light shade. These 1 to 3 foot high plants generally begin blooming in early to mid-May and often continue blooming through June. For the nature lover, columbines are a favorite flower for hummingbirds. The native columbine is perfect for shady gardens, where it is not nearly as disfigured by leaf miner as non-native species. They also make an excellent addition to the rock garden.
Columbines tend to lose vitality after 3-4 years and are best replaced at that time. Plants should be set out in the garden in spring or late summer. Plant them one to two feet apart with the crown at soil level. Once established, feed them monthly with a soluble all purpose (5-10-5) fertilizer and keep them well watered during growing season.
The native columbine is perfect for shady gardens, where it is not nearly as disfigured by leaf miner as other species of columbine; attracts moths and butterflies; grows from a thin, woody rhizome.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: This species has very good resistance to leaf miner which often causes severe damage to the foliage of many other columbine species and hybrids.
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- Cultivars:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aquilegia
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- NC
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. The seeds may be eaten by songbirds. Hummingbirds are the primary pollinators. It is highly resistant to damage from deer.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Enhancement
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3b, 3a, 4b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- The Columbine features drooping, spurred, bell-like, 1-2", red and yellow flowers (red sepals, yellow-limbed petals, 5 distinctive red spurs and a mass of bushy yellow stamens). Its spurs point upward.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The Columbines leaflets are oval with rounded lobes, basal and alternate on the stem with one to three times compound with three divisions each. They have slender, much-branched stems. Its delicate, biternate foliage is somewhat suggestive of meadow rue (Thalictrum) and remains attractive throughout the summer as long as soils are kept moist.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Similar plants:
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Lonicera sempervirens
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Monarda didyma
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Phlox subulata
