Red Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States, Virgin Islands
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Aquilegia
- Species:
- Aquilegia canadensis
- USDA Symbol:
- AQCA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- red, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
mayapple borer (Papaipema rutila), Pink-patched Looper Moth (Eosphoropteryx thyatyroides), red-edged acleris moth (Acleris albicomana), stalk borer moth (Papaipema leucostigma), Tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens), Purplish Copper (Erynnis lucilius)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus) Hummingbirds: Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds, bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers woodland and rocky slopes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 21–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 4-6 weeks; sow in fall or stratify in refrigerator.
Pre-treatment: Surface sowing and a 3-4 week chilling period as a precaution is suggested, although adequate germination has been achieved without this protocol.
Establishment: Seeds ripen at various times within the flower and can be collected over several days. Seed collection is done by hand from locally native plants. Some sources indicate that seeds need a chilling period and light to germinate, however, adequate germination has been achieved without chilling or surface-sowing.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 weeks, then place @ 20C.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Wild Seed Project (seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- North Creek Nurseries (nursery)
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)