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Honey Petal Plants
Aquilegia canadensis - Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis - Wild Columbine
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Sizes available: TBD, coming at the end of June
Basics: zone 3-8, 24" x 18", part sun to part shade, red with yellow spur, spring to early summer bloom, consistently moist, well-drained soil with low fertility in full sun, but more drought tolerant in shady spots. Prefers calcareous soil, but adaptable.
Common names: Wild Columbine, Eastern Red Columbine, Canada Columbine, Canadian Columbine
Family: Ranunculaceae
Origin/Distribution: temperate regions of Eastern and Central North America, native to Maine, these plants were grown from seed collected in New England
Habitat: rocky slopes with dappled shade, good drainage, peat bog edges, open and high woodland shade
More: Nectar for Ruby-throated hummingbirds and long-tongued insects such as butterflies and hawk moths. Host plant for Eosphoropteryx thyatyroides (Pink-tinted Beauty). Has been used medicinally, but is also potentially toxic, so proceed with caution. Wild Columbine has also been used as a love charm. Perhaps caution is warranted there as well. Makes a good cut flower. Deer and rabbit resistant. This plant prefers sandy, well-drained soils in part sun with adequate moisture, but can adapt to dry, part shade. It will hybridize with other Columbines. It might self-sow (in a good way). High fertility soils encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Source: Landscape plugs from Van Berkum Nursery, grown from seed collected in New England
Image credits: Frank Meuschke of Shelterwood Gardens; illustration from Wikimedia Commons
