eastern columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
RHS AGM 2024
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size2 to 3 feet tall12 to 18 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, winter
- Bloom color
- Light pink/yellow to blood re
- Foliage color
- Green to blue-green.
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Eastern columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a perennial for woodland gardens, shade gardens, rock gardens, and naturalized areas. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to moist soil of most types. Nodding red and yellow flowers hold nectar in their spurs for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. It spreads by self seeding. It sits low on the menu for deer and rabbits.
Pairs well with Yellow trout-lily, Western sword fern, Sedge, and Lungwort.
Native range
Europe.