Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns'

Wild Columbine / Eastern Red Columbine

'Little Lanterns' is a compact columbine that only grows 10" tall. Deep red and yellow nodding flowers top blue-green foliage for many weeks in spring. This is a good choice for shade gardens, woodland gardens, rock gardens and naturalized areas.

Benefits

	Attracts butterflies, bumblebees and hummingbirds
	One of the earliest wildflowers to bloom; 8 + weeks of bloom
	Thrives in sun or shade; will self sow and naturalize
	Great for pine shade
	Deer resistant
	Resists leaf miner

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Grows easily in full sun to part shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils except heavy, poorly drained ones. Will grow in rocky, dry soil in shaded areas and on slopes.

Keep soils uniformly moist after bloom to prevent the foliage from dying back. If foliage deteriorates, cut plants to the ground. Fresh new foliage will emerge and look good all season.

Collect dried seed pods and sow them where you want more plants or simply let the plants self-sow.

Height 12-18 Inches

Spread 10-15 Inches

Native Range Ledges, woods, and cliffs; Quebec to Manitoba south to Texas and Florida. USDA Distribution Map

Native Trivia Aquilegia canadensis is the larval host for the Columbine Duskywing butterfly(Erynnis lucilius). Pollinated by hummingbirds, which may depend on Wild Columbine as an important source of early season nectar. An old-fashioned garden plant, wild columbine has been cultivated in Europe and America since the mid-1600s. Native Americans used infusions from different parts of the plant for a variety of ailments including a wash for poison-ivy. When pulverized, the seeds were rubbed on the hands by Native American men as a love charm.

USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8

"This is one of the first flowers to provide spring nectar for nectar-loving creatures like us butterflies."

Good Companions (Eurybia divaricata) Woodland Aster (Aster divaricatus), Red-stemmed Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina), Geranium 'Espresso' (Cranesbill) (Geranium maculatum), 'Dale's Strain' Coral Bells (Heuchera americana), Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata), Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), 'London Grove Blue' Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata), 'Stairway to Heaven' Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium reptans), Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum), Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), 'Running Tapestry' Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Low Perennials	Exposure • Sun • Filtered Shade	Soil Moisture Preference • Average	Attracts Wildlife • Butterflies • Beneficial insects • Hummingbirds
Bloom Time • Late Spring / Early Summer • Early Spring	Habitat Collection • Butterfly • Dry Shade	Native Habitat • Forest	Foliage Color • Green
Uses • Drought tolerant