Aquilegia canadensis Wild Columbine

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Wild Columbine visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
Wild Columbine

Cultivation Information Wild Columbine

Wild Columbine by Jim Wohl
Height - 1 to 2 ftFlower Color - Red to Pale OrangeBlooms - April - JuneSun - Sun to Light ShadeSoil - Well-drainedpH - 6.0 to 7.0 Hardy Zone - 3 to 8 Perennial Family - Ranunculacea
Over the Years - We have enjoyed watching the hummingbirds dart in and out of our Wild Columbine patch. At one time we had Colorado Columbines growing in our yard, these beauties are Colorado's Sate Flower and were a gift from my brother. Sadly, I had to dig them up and give them away as I didn't want them to cross-pollinate with our Wild Columbine.
"There from the rock-cleft rude Up springs with nodding bells, the Columbine, And round her ever, in her solitude. The wild bees' wigletts shine."
Howard Gilbert 1907 - From - Second Annual Report - The Horticultural Societies of Ontario 1908
Seed Provenance Aquilegia canadensis
Everwilde Farms, WI 2012 - Nodding Onion Gardens 2013 - 2022, Wildflower Farm, Coldwater, ON 2023
Wild Columbine in the shadows - by Jim Wohl

Wildlife Significance Aquilegia canadensis

Nectar - humming birds, bumblebees and butterflies (Swallowtails and fritlillaries)
Pollen Collecting - Short-tongued Halictid bees collect pollen.
Host Plant - sole food source for the Columbine Duskywing caterpillars.
Deer - are not fond of this plant
For more detailed information on Wild Columbines, visit the Illinois Wildflower website
It is important to stay out of the garden early in the spring, as just below the surface is new life!!!
After the flowers die- back, little seed pods form. They look a bit like upside down brown grocery bags. Wait until the seed is black before collecting
Propagation Notes Wild Columbine
Stratifying Seeds
1. Zip lock plastic bag2. Few tablespoons of Vermiculite3. Dampen vermiculite - not soggy4. Store in refrigerator for 60 days Seeds require cold, moist storage in order to germinate
Sowing seeds outdoors
We have also had success raising Wild Columbine outdoors in homemade cold frames. Be sure to open the window and moisten the seeds if we happen to have a warm spell in the middle of winter.