Canada Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis | Starter Plug

IMPORTANT PICKUP INFORMATION 

THIS ITEM IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP ON APRIL 25, 2026, FROM 9:30 AM TO 12:30 PM AT GREENVALE VINEYARDS, PORTSMOUTH, RHODE ISLAND.

There is no delivery option for your seedling pre-order. You must pick up your plant yourself on the seedling sale date. Any seedlings not picked up will be considered a donation to ERICD's educational farm program.

What You'll Receive:

One (1) Canada Columbine starter plug - a young, healthy plant with an established root system, ready to transform your spring garden into a hummingbird haven. 

Transform your spring garden into a hummingbird haven with Canada Columbine! This graceful New England native produces dancing red and yellow flowers that hang like delicate lanterns from slender stems. One of the earliest bloomers, it brings vibrant color when pollinators need it most. Perfect for woodland edges, rock gardens, or naturalized areas where its unique nodding flowers can be admired up close. Easy to grow and long-lived, this perennial returns year after year with minimal care. 

Outstanding Features:

Hummingbird Magnet: The tubular red spurs are perfectly designed for hummingbird bills, making this one of their favorite nectar sources in spring.

Native Butterfly Host: Serves as a larval host plant for the Columbine Duskywing butterfly, supporting the complete lifecycle of native pollinators.

Shade Tolerant: Thrives in partial shade to full sun, making it versatile for various garden locations including challenging shady spots.

Self-Sowing Beauty: Readily self-seeds to naturalize in appropriate conditions, creating drifts of color without becoming invasive. 

Plant Specifications:

Light: Partial shade to full sun (4-8 hours)

Soil: Average to rich, well-drained; tolerates rocky soil Moisture: Medium; drought tolerant once established Height: 1-2 feet tall, 1-1.5 feet spread

Bloom Time: April to June (spring)

Hardiness: Zones 3-8 (perfect for New England) 

Growing Tips:

Plant your starter plug 12-15 inches apart in spring or fall. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Once established, Canada Columbine is quite drought-tolerant. Deadheading spent flowers may prolong blooming, but leaving some seed heads allows for natural reseeding. This short-lived perennial (3-4 years) maintains itself through self-sowing. Ideal for Rhode Island's climate in zones 5-6, thriving in the state's variable spring conditions.