Aquilegia canadensis Wild Columbine

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

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

Wild Columbine decorate the garden like little spring Christmas bells
Wild Columbine by Jim Wohl


Cultivation Information Wild Columbine

Height - 10 to 12 inchesFlower Color - red to pale orangeBlooms - April - JuneSun - sun to light shade
Hardy Zone - 3 to 9Soil - well drained
pH - 6.0 to 7.0Family - Ranunculacea
Over the Years - We have enjoyed watching the humming birds 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 - present
Wild Columbine in the shadows - by Jim Wohl

Wildlife Significance Aquilegia canadensis

Nectar - humming birds, bumble bees 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
Seeds placed in Cold Moist Storage Supplies Needed For Seed Stratification - 1. Zip lock plastic bag2. Few table spoons of Vermiculite3. Dampened vermiculite - not soggy4. Store in refrigerator for 60 days
Sowing seeds out doors
We have also had success raising Wild Columbine outdoors in homemaid 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.