Wild Columbine

Scientific Name: Aquilegia canadensis/Ranuculaceae

Herbaceous Perennial, Zone 3-8/1-1/2’ tall rosettes.

Perfect for woodland settings, for they naturalize so easily. Columbines have deeply lobed, waxy blue-green foliage. After a rain or heavy dew, the water beads on the leaves, and sparkles when the sun hits them. If Hummingbirds have arrived by the time they flower, you are in for a treat. Wild columbines have profuse displays of yellow corollas and orange-red spurs resembling harlequin hats. The easiest and most rewarding Columbine to grow.

Partial Shade. Most any soil condition will do, as long as it is well-drained and reasonably moist. This variety is more tolerant of adverse conditions that the newer Hybrids. Wild Columbines seed readily so you always have some popping up. They mostly go dormant by mid-summer and emerge again in late winter. Leaf miners will present a problem. The best defense is to cut the affected foliage and destroy it.