Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern Red Columbine) Unity Grown

Aquilegia canadensis, commonly known as eastern red columbine, is a showy perennial wildflower renowned for its beautiful, eye-catching red and yellow flowers. In early spring, eastern columbine produces its tell-tale uniquely shaped flowers; these unique flowers give these plants their scientific name (aquila meaning eagle in Latin and referring to the flower's talon-shaped spurs) and its bright, multi-color blooms attract hummingbirds and pollinating insects. Aside from pollinator value, Aquilegia canadensis is also a great choice for cut flower arrangements, due to its long-lasting blooms, their attractive lobed foliage make it an important host plant for several kinds of caterpillar.

Typically found in rocky and sloped woodlands throughout much of the eastern United States, eastern columbine grows to 2-3' tall and 12-18" wide; these hardy flowers can flourish in various soil types as long as moisture and drainage is adequate, and they actually prefer less fertile soils. Aquilegia canadensis performs well in partial shade to full sun conditions and is resistant to deer and rabbit browsing. Since columbine are not often eaten by mammals, and can self-seed easily allowing columbine to form large colonies in the right growing conditions, populations can be kept in check by cutting back spent flowers. Without maintenance, however, massed eastern red columbines are a beautiful sight to behold, and their short-lived spring ephemeral nature makes them even more pretty.

Our Aquilegia canadensis plugs are grown from seed here at Unity Church Hill Nursery.