Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist.

How long does it live?

It is a short-lived perennial, typically lasting 3 to 5 years.

Plant guide

Eastern red columbine.

Aquilegia canadensis

Pronounced ah-kwi-LEE-gee-uh kan-uh-DEN-sis

Also known as American columbine, Canada columbine, honeysuckle, meeting-houses, red columbine, red-bell, wild columbine, wild red columbine

red columbine — Photo by M. Whitson (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming native perennial brings a splash of color to woodland gardens with its unique, nodding flowers. It's a favorite among hummingbirds and butterflies during the spring. You'll find it's quite hardy and adapts well to various garden conditions.

Another photo of Eastern red columbine — Photo by Andrew Lai (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant in well draining soil and keep it consistently moist but not soggy. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as this indicates it needs a drink. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage a longer flowering season.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning: Trim back dead foliage and spent flower stalks after the blooming period ends.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound or if you need to divide the clump.
Soil: Well draining, rocky or sandy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -35 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Short-lived perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water draining through the pot too quickly.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and may cause skin irritation upon contact.
Pets: Columbine is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs, though eating a large amount may cause mild stomach upset.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as ingestion of any part can cause illness.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not considered a significant allergen.
Edibility: The plant contains cyanogenic glycosides and should not be ingested.

How to identify it

Red and yellow nodding flowers
Spurred petals pointing backward
Delicate, blue green compound leaves
Slender, branching stems

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.45m
Leaves: green, blue-green, deciduous
Flowers: red, yellow, 3 to 5cm
Fruit: brown, Summer

Problems to watch for

Leaf miner · Small larvae create winding white tunnels inside the leaves.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Leave the foliage until it dies back naturally in late autumn to help the plant store energy. A light layer of mulch can help protect the crown from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: It grows well in containers at least 20 cm deep with excellent drainage.

Seed

Collect seeds when pods turn brown.
Sow seeds in pots in autumn for cold stratification.
Keep moist and wait for spring germination.

Plant in groups to create a drift that attracts more hummingbirds to your garden.

Grows well with

Wild Ginger · They share similar woodland habitat requirements.
Ferns · The contrasting textures look lovely in a shade garden.

Similar species

Western Columbine · It is a western counterpart with similar flower structure.

Science

Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Aquilegia
Order: Ranunculales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern and central North America.
Conservation: It is secure in its native range but should never be collected from the wild.

It thrives in rocky woodlands and on cliff ledges where it finds cool, well-drained soil.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, early season food
Pollinators: hummingbirds, bees, butterflies
Uses: woodland gardens, pollinator borders, rock gardens

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist.
How long does it live?: It is a short-lived perennial, typically lasting 3 to 5 years.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Aquilegia comes from the Latin for eagle, referring to the spur shape, while canadensis denotes its North American origin.

Good to know

The flowers hang downward like bells to protect their nectar from rain.
It is one of the few columbines native to eastern North America.
The name columbine comes from the Latin word for dove, referring to the flower shape.
It often self-seeds readily in favorable garden conditions.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.