Aquilegia canadensis

Wild Columbine

Red flowers with yellow centers hang like drifts of softly illuminated lanterns in April and May. Excellent as a shady rock garden naturalizer, it also is quite content in average garden conditions. Occurs naturally in rich rocky woods, north-facing slopes, cliffs, ledges, pastures, and roadside banks. Native to all states east of the Rockies, but not found in Louisiana.

Height

1-3 Feet

Spread

1 Feet

Bloom Color

Red

USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9

Interesting Notes

This species shows relative disdain for that voracious enemy of columbine- the leaf miner! A. canadensis is less susceptible to leaf miner than many other species, especially the hybrids. Leaf miner will eventually cause signifigant damage in A. canadensis, but not as rapidly as with other species. - Allan Armitage

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Columbine thrives in part to full shade, in any well-drained soil. Plants tolerate full sun if temperatures are cool, but they prefer partial shade. They may go dormant in mid summer if stressed by heat or drought, but will emerge again in late winter. Plants reseed readily and plantings may double in size in two years.

Characteristics & Attributes

Attributes

•	Native to US
•	Moist Shade
•	Border
•	Wildflower Garden
•	Roadside Planting
•	Native to Northeast
•	Dry Shade
•	Rock Garden

Critter Resistance

•	Deer Resistant

Exposure

•	Shade
•	Part Sun

Growth Rate

•

Medium

Nature Attraction

•	Hummingbirds

Season of Interest (Flowering)

•	Late Spring / Early Summer

Soil Moisture Needs

•	Average
•	Moist
•	Good Drainage