For successful seedlings,
see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Add a touch of natural grace to your garden with red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), a native perennial with a unique and elegant look. Its delicate red and yellow bell-shaped flowers sway at the tips of slender stems, attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators throughout the spring and early summer. Adapted to shaded or part-shaded areas, it thrives in well-drained soils rich in organic matter.

Easy to grow, this resilient beauty fits perfectly into garden beds, woodlands, or rock gardens, adding a charming, wild note to any landscape. Why not invite this local splendour to transform your outdoor spaces?

Red columbine naturalizes easily and tolerates a variety of soils, as long as they are well drained. It is especially valued for its strong appeal to hummingbirds, which feed on the nectar produced by its distinctive flowers.

Furthermore, red columbine is recognized as a keystone plant for biodiversity in many North American ecoregions, as it supports a wide variety of insects and birds that rely on its ecological resources.

Sociability index: 1 to 2 → Indicates the plant’s behaviour in space and its interactions with other plants.

Ecological role
Red columbine is a key species for restoring understory habitats and part-shaded meadows. Thanks to its ability to tolerate partial shade and adapt to drier or moderately humid soils, it is an excellent choice for strengthening plant diversity in disturbed or degraded areas. Its nectar-rich flowers attract a wide range of pollinators, including hummingbirds and bees, making it a valuable addition to ecological restoration projects aimed at supporting wildlife. It is also appreciated in forest gardens, where it contributes to natural balance while offering an attractive floral display.

Red columbine seeds require cold stratification to ensure germination. See the cultivation notes below for more details.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.