Columbine
(Aquilegia canadensis)

Description

Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a perennial wildflower native to North America, commonly found in woodlands, meadows, and along stream banks. It is known for its unique spurred flowers, which have five distinctive petals that curve backward, resembling the shape of a bird in flight. The flowers come in various shades of red, orange, and yellow, often with contrasting yellow centers. Columbine blooms in late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich flowers. The plant typically reaches a height of 1 to 3 feet and has delicate, finely divided foliage. Columbine is prized for its ornamental value in gardens and landscaping, as well as its ecological importance in providing habitat and food for native wildlife.
Don’t let its delicate look fool you. This native plant is tough! It can handle full sun to shade and medium to dry soils. It can even grow under pine trees! It reaches only about 2 feet tall, making it a wonderful addition to home landscaping. Columbine is also deer and rabbit resistant, a big bonus for us here at the farm! It blooms from April to June, making it one of the first nectar sources for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Columbine is a larval host plant for the aptly named Columbine Duskywing.
 

Additional information