Known to be toxic - Toxic to humans and other mammals if ingested.
Source: Donna Bos
Aquilegia canadensis
Red Columbine
Ancolie du Canada
Obsolete Names
American columbine
Canada columbine
wild red columbine
gants de Notre-Dame
Seeds available at table Shade
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Red
Bloom period: Apr - May
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 1.5 feet
Light condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for Right of Way gardens
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for woodland gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for Right of Way gardens
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for woodland gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Supports hummingbirds
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Keystone species
Supports hummingbirds
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Keystone species
Tolerates:
Tolerates salt conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Tolerates salt conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Thrives in Ecozones
- Atlantic Maritime
- Montane Cordillera
- Prairies
- Boreal Shield
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Aquilegia canadensis
- Erynnis lucilius (Columbine Duskywing)
Specialized Bees Supported by Aquilegia canadensis
No bee data available for this plant.
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.
Complementary Plants
- Cryptotaenia canadensis
Canada Honewort
Cryptoténie du Canada - Elymus hystrix
Bottlebrush Grass
Élyme étalé - Geranium maculatum
Wild Geranium
Géranium maculé - Osmorhiza longistylis
Smooth Sweet Cicely
Osmorhize à long style - Thalictrum pubescens
Tall Meadow-rue
Pigamon pubescent
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Aquilegia) (Columbine Cultivars)
Sowing Information
Download Sowing Label (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
- Sow by February
- Stratification duration: 60 days
- Self-seeding
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: June
- Harvesting indicator: Pods are brown and crisp and starting to open, seeds are dark and tiny stem attaching to the main stem is brown. Seeds easily fall off pod when shaken, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
- Harvesting mean: Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
- Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: Half of one, 1/32 teaspoon
- Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- Harvesting video: Watch here
Toxicity Notes
Toxic to humans and other mammals if ingested.