Columbine
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
|---|---|
| Soil Moisture | Dry, Medium |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun, Partial, Shade |
| Height | 1' -3' |
| Bloom Color | Red, Yellow |
| Bloom Time | May, June |
| Spacing | 1' |
| Zones | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Root Type | Fibrous |
| Benefits | Pollinators, Hummingbirds, Host Plant, Deer Resistant |
This beautiful woodland native has intricate red and yellow bell-like flowers with unique, backward-pointed nectar tubes. Native Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) attracts a variety of pollinators, with its deep nectaries which are perfectly shaped for hummingbirds and long-tongued insects.
Easily grown in average well-drained soil in full sun to shade, it tolerates a wide range of soils, as long as drainage is good. Soil that is too rich encourages weak stems and shorter lifespans, while thin, sandy soils will produce a tight, compact plant that can live for many years. In optimum growing conditions it will self-seed freely. The small black seeds of Aquilegia canadensis are easy to collect and replant in the location of your choice.
Columbine is popular in shade gardens, rock gardens, cottage gardens or naturalized areas. The light, airy texture of the stems and flowers combines well with a variety of early bloomers such as Wild Geranium, Foamflower, and Wild Ginger. Other common names include Red Columbine and American Columbine.
