ColumbineAquilegia canadensis
Short-lived, native perennial that self-sows, 1-3' tall. Red columbine is a popular garden perennial because of its tolerance to a range of water, soil and shade conditions. Avoid extreme conditions. It is useful for woodland, borders, woodlot and meadow successional restorations and rehabilitations. This is the only native columbine in MN and WI, where many cultivated species have escaped into the wild. If planting this species make sure it is the native species, not a cultivar. Columbine will bloom profusely in sunnier locations, and provides refreshing splashes of color in shadier locations. Readily reseeds, but usually not troublesome.
USDA symbol: AQCA
General Information
| Plant Type | Forb |
|---|---|
| Height | 3 feet |
| Light Exposure | Sun, Part Sun, Shade |
| Soil Moisture | Dry |
| Bloom Color | Red |
Tolerances
| Flooding / Inundation Tolerance | Low |
|---|---|
| General Resilience | 7 |
| Salt Tolerance | Low |
| Stress Tolerance | Alkaline Conditions, Drought Tolerant |
Pollinator Value: Very High
| Bloom Months | May to July |
|---|---|
| Larval Host of | Butterflies, Moths |
| Specific Pollinators Hosted | Erynnis lucilius, Papaipema leucostigma |
| Pollinator Benefit | Insect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Specialists |
Project Planning
| Project Type | Boulevard, Rain Garden, Restoration, Shoreline Buffer |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Conservatism | 5 |
| Herbivore Sensitivity | Low |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Rate of Spread | Medium |
| Soil Stabilization | Shallow |
| Vegetative Reproduction | Clonal |
Range
| County | Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine |
|---|---|
| Ecoregion | Driftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains |
| Approximate Eco Province | Eastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands |