Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

unique shaped columbine plants with drooping, red flowers
“Aquilegia canadensis” by Emily Jmat, via Flickr. CC BY-NC 2.0.
a large plant of wild columbine flowers
“Wild Columbine (Aquilega canadensis)” by Joshua Mayer, via Flickr. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Ecological Benefits: attracts hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and hawk moths; birds feed on their seeds

Bloom period: spring

Best Areas for Planting: low to mid-moisture, low to mid-sun, well-drained soil of clay, loam, and sand

Natural Habitat: can be found in forests, rock outcrops, high mountains, and varied habitats with tolerance for acidic soils

Most of the species information is from The Virginia Native Plant Society website, which offers free, extensive pdfs for each region of Virginia, highlighting about 100 native species (there are many more!) and helpful additional information for planning personal projects. If you aren’t from Virginia, you can search for similar resources in your state! To explore other resources and advice, navigate to the guidance page.

Visit the homepage to explore other sites and learn more about native plants.