Description

Soil: Moist, Mesic(Medium) to Dry
Sun: Full-Shade
Height: 1-3′
Color: Red
Blooms: May-June
Flowers: The nodding 1-2″ flowers have 5 yellow sepals, 5 upward spurred scarlet petals, and numerous stamens.
Leaves: The leaves are 4-6″ wide and divided into 9-27 3-lobed leaflets.

Suggested Uses:

This is a very tolerant plant of many different site situations. It enjoys many soil types, including dry rocky slopes. Columbine nectar attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It’s seeds also serve as Finch food! It has showy flowers which makes it a lovely wildflower for a woodland or semi-shaded garden.  Plants will reseed!

Interesting Facts

Other Uses: The deep nectar tubes (which are often broken off and sucked by children) are attractive to hummingbirds.
More Info: Somewhat deer resistant. Crushed or chewed seeds were used as a perfume by Native Americans.
Folklore: It was once considered our national wildflower because the seed pods resemble the eagle’s talons.
Name: The common name comes from Columba meaning “dove” in Latin, while the scientific name “Aquilegia” means eagle.
Other Names: Honeysuckle, Eastern Red Columbine

USDA PLANTS Database profile page