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Aquilegia canadensis

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Kemper Code:  B400

Common Name: columbine
Zone: 3 to 8
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Ranunculaceae
Missouri Native: Yes
Native Range: Eastern North America
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: April - May   Bloom Data
Bloom Color: Light pink/yellow to blood red/yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium


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Plant Culture and Characteristics

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  Uses:       Wildlife:   Flowers:   Leaves:   Fruit:
Hedge Suitable as annual Attracts birds Has showy flowers Leaves colorful Has showy fruit
Shade tree Culinary herb Attracts Has fragrant flowers Leaves fragrant Fruit edible
Street tree Vegetable   hummingbirds Flowers not showy Good fall color   Other:
Flowering tree Water garden plant Attracts Good cut flower Evergreen Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1') Will naturalize   butterflies Good dried flower     Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Wide range of soil tolerance as long as drainage is good. Prefers rich, moist soils in light to moderate shade. Freely self-seeds and will naturalize to form large colonies in optimum growing conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Columbine is a Missouri native spring wildflower which occurs in rocky woods, slopes, ledges and open areas throughout the State. Features drooping, bell-like, 1-2", red and yellow flowers (red sepals, yellow-limbed petals, 5 distinctive red spurs and a mass of bushy yellow stamens). Delicate, biternate foliage is somewhat suggestive of meadow rue (Thalictrum) and remains attractive throughout the summer as long as soils are kept moist. Flowers are quite attractive to hummingbirds.

Problems: Click for detailed list of pests and problems.

This species has very good resistance to leaf miner which often causes severe damage to the foliage of many other columbine species and hybrids.

Uses:

A wonderful addition to native plant gardens, woodland gardens, cottage gardens or naturalized areas. Also effective in borders.

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