Red Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Also listed as Aquilegia australis, Aquilegia coccinea
Also known as Eastern Red Columbine, Wild Columbine, American Columbine
Climate Match for your location
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Red columbine is a native woodland perennial with delicate red and yellow nodding flowers and attractive blue-green foliage. It attracts hummingbirds and thrives in shaded garden settings with moderate moisture.
Why grow it
Red columbine occupies a distinct ecological role as a shade-tolerant native perennial that bridges early and mid-season flowering when many woodland understory plants are dormant or past bloom. Unlike hybrid columbine cultivars, the species' modest stature and nodding flowers integrate naturally into shade gardens without requiring deadheading or staking. It establishes readily in moist woodland conditions where many ornamentals struggle, making it a practical choice for difficult-to-plant areas beneath deciduous trees.
Watch out for
Red columbine self-seeds prolifically in favorable conditions, which may require management in smaller gardens or formal settings. The foliage can develop powdery mildew in humid conditions with poor air circulation, particularly in dense shade or where overhead watering occurs regularly. Plants may decline in areas with consistently dry summers or in heavy clay soils that retain water poorly.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Red columbine is a native woodland perennial with delicate red and yellow nodding flowers and attractive blue-green foliage. It attracts hummingbirds and thrives in shaded garden settings with moderate moisture.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red Columbine grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Red columbine occupies a distinct ecological role as a shade-tolerant native perennial that bridges early and mid-season flowering when many woodland understory plants are dormant or past bloom. Unlike hybrid columbine cultivars, the species' modest stature and nodding flowers integrate naturally into shade gardens without requiring deadheading or staking. It establishes readily in moist woodland conditions where many ornamentals struggle, making it a practical choice for difficult-to-plant areas beneath deciduous trees.
Watch out for
Red columbine self-seeds prolifically in favorable conditions, which may require management in smaller gardens or formal settings. The foliage can develop powdery mildew in humid conditions with poor air circulation, particularly in dense shade or where overhead watering occurs regularly. Plants may decline in areas with consistently dry summers or in heavy clay soils that retain water poorly.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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