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Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Wild columbine is a native perennial plant with nodding, bell-shaped, red and yellow flowers that bloom in spring and early summer.

Appearance:

• Drooping, bell-shaped, red and yellow flowers
• Petals are lifted upward
• Flowers have many yellow stamens in the center
• Flowers bloom in April-July
• Grows 1-3 feet tall

Habitat:

• Found in rocky woods, cliffs, hillsides, pastures, roadsides and similar areas
• Grows in full or partial sun

Range:

• Grows throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed

Reproduction and Life Cycle:

• About two weeks after blooming, flowers go to seed
• Mature seeds are black
• Seeds are contained in a fruit capsule
• New seedlings grow in spring

Other Facts:

• Also known as red, eastern or Canadian columbine
• Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
• Native American men are said to have used crushed columbine seeds as a love charm. The seeds have also been used to treat fevers, rashes, headaches, sore throats and other ailments.
• There are many columbine cultivars that come in various colors, including white and purple

Sources and Additional Information:

• Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• PLANTS Profile for Aquilegia canadensis – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Aquilegia canadensis – The University of Texas at Austin
• PlantFiles: Canadian Columbine, Wild Columbine – Dave’s Garden