Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
This delicate woodland native produces unique red and yellow flowers with distinctive spurs that nod gracefully above blue-green compound foliage. Wild columbine is a hummingbird magnet and thrives in partial shade where many wildflowers struggle. Its ability to self-seed in rocky crevices and woodland edges makes it perfect for naturalizing in shade gardens.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
3–8
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Wild Columbine in USDA Zone 7
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Wild Columbine · Zones 3–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
5 pod-shaped follicles with long beaks that split open along one side to release the shiny black seeds. Displays from April to August.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Follicle.
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: North America
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Pollinators, Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: Provides nectar to bumblebees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. The seeds may be eaten by songbirds. Deer resistant.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Wild Ginger
Both prefer similar moist, shaded woodland conditions and complement each other aesthetically
Ferns
Share similar habitat requirements and create natural woodland understory community
Trillium
Compatible spring ephemeral that shares similar soil and light conditions
Wild Bergamot
Attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies that also visit columbine
Coral Bells
Similar moisture needs and both thrive in partial shade with well-draining soil
Astilbe
Complementary foliage texture and both prefer moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade
Hosta
Provides contrasting foliage and shares preference for shaded, moist woodland conditions
Wild Lupine
Both attract native pollinators and complement each other in native wildflower gardens
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to columbine and many other understory plants
Mint
Aggressive spreading habit can quickly overwhelm delicate columbine plants
Crown Vetch
Invasive groundcover that can outcompete and smother native wildflowers
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, may get leaf miners
Common Pests
Columbine leaf miner, aphids, columbine sawfly
Diseases
Crown rot in poorly drained soils, powdery mildew