Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
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Pl. 4168 — Aquilegia canadensis
Aquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensisAquilegia canadensis
IOverview
Overview
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a perennial forb native to eastern North America, found in habitats ranging from Alabama and Arkansas to Ontario and Quebec, and as far south as Texas and Florida. Known for its ornamental value with delicate spurred flowers that resemble small birds in flight, this plant thrives in moist, light (sandy or loamy) soil and partial sun to full shade conditions. It is hardy in zones 4-10 and can grow up to 0.6 meters tall. Columbine is not only appreciated for its beauty but also for its edible parts; both the flowers and roots are considered edible, making it a versatile addition to gardens and landscapes.
Quick answers
What is Columbine?
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a perennial forb native to eastern North America, found in habitats ranging from Alabama and Arkansas to Ontario and Quebec, and as far south as Texas and Florida.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Columbine thrives in partial sun to full sun and prefers moist, well-draining soil that is light (sandy) or medium. It is hardy in zones 4-10 and can grow up to 0.6 meters tall as a perennial forb/herb. For best results, propagate by seed or division. The flowers and roots are edible.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
4-10
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.6 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Columbine for the first time
8steps
Start with easy care and enjoy the colorful blooms of Columbine.
- 1
What you'll need
Columbine seeds or young plants, a garden trowel, compost.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with partial sun to full shade. Ensure soil is well-draining and slightly acidic.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden after danger of frost, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before planting outside.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide light watering during dry spells. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and spent flower heads for a tidy appearance. Avoid cutting back foliage too early in fall.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to mulch.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersRoot
Edible uses: The columbine plant's flowers and roots are edible. The flowers can be eaten raw in salads or used to make a light tea. Roots are typically prepared by boiling them before consumption. Both parts add a mild, slightly sweet flavor to dishes.
Other uses:Essential OilPest controlFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 30 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Georgia
Broader regions
native:Massachusetts, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Carolina
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 4168affe-c651-4761-b268-65175258a509
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