Aquilegia canadensis

Columbine Aquilegia

A beautiful native spring-blooming perennial featuring red and yellow nodding flowers on slender stems above delicate, blue-green foliage. A cornerstone plant for native, woodland, and pollinator gardens, especially valued for its adaptability and wildlife benefits.

Key features



Width: 12–18 in (1–1.5 ft)



Height: 18–24 in (1.5–2 ft)



Flower color: Red with yellow interior



Bloom time: Mid to late spring



Foliage: Blue-green, finely divided, fern-like



Form: Airy, clump-forming



Life cycle: Short-lived herbaceous perennial (readily self-seeds)



Growing conditions



Sun: Full sun to part shade (excellent in light woodland conditions)



Soil: Average to moist, well-drained; tolerant of rocky soils



Water: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established



Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8



Landscape use



Native and pollinator gardens



Woodland edges and shaded borders



Naturalized plantings



Cottage gardens



Rock gardens



Notes



A top hummingbird plant; also attracts native bees



Generally deer and rabbit resistant



Self-seeds gently to form natural colonies



More heat and drought tolerant than many hybrid columbines

Plant type

Perennial

Height

12"

Width

12"-32"

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Late Spring, Spring

Flower color

Red

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Butterflies

Soil

Loamy well-drained

Landscape use

Border, Rock Garden

Shape

Clump, Compact

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No