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Wild columbines have dainty red and yellow flowers on long stems above clumps of bright green foliage. They self-seed reliably to form vigorous naturalized colonies.

Latin Name

Aquilegia canadensis


Family

Ranunculaceae


Also Known As

Eastern Red Columbine Canadian Columbine


Type of Plant

Perennials Perennials

Bloom Season

April - May

Seasons

Spring Spring

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 3'
Max spread Max Spread: 1.5'

Uses

  • Flower Border
  • Naturalize

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun
    Part Shade Part Shade

    Tolerances

  • Deer
  • Rabbit
  • Dry Soil
  • Drought

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Hummingbirds Hummingbirds

    Toxicity

    Do not ingest Do not ingest

    Colors


    Native Range

    Eastern North America


    History

    William Faris planted these in his Maryland garden in 1790.


    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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