This article, written by Dr. Al Fedkenheuer, first appeared in the Calgary Horticultural Society (Calhort) publication Calgary Gardening in 2013. It has been republished with permission and edited for clarity.
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This article presents our hardy native Columbine species that grow well in full sun and also in shaded, moist areas. There are four native species present in Alberta, Aquilegia brevistyla (Blue Columbine), A. flavescens (Yellow columbine), A. formosa (Red or Sitka Columbine) and A. jonesii (also called Blue columbine). There is another Red (or Eastern Red) Columbine, A. canadensis, which is an eastern Canadian species that is found as far west as eastern Saskatchewan. All columbines are attractive to hummingbirds but they particularly love the bright red flowers, as do butterflies.
The name “Aquilegia” comes from the Latin “Aquila” which means eagle and comes from the resemblance of the spurred petals to eagle talons. In contrast, the common name is derived from the Latin “columbia” which means “dove-like” as the arched spurs and spreading sepals, for some, resemble five doves arranged in a circle drinking from a dish.
The leaves of columbines resemble those of Meadow Rue, as they are compound, several, mostly basal and finely divided. Yellow Columbine has showy yellow flowers which appear in June-July. The flowers may be tinged with pink, are generally 2.5 to 4 cm across and 12 to 20 mm long, nodding, with white to cream blades 7 to 10 mm long. The spurs range from yellow to pinkish, 10 to 20 mm long, curved and the stamens protrude beyond the blades. Plant height ranges from 30 to 60 cm depending upon the site. Red columbine is very similar except the flowers are bright red with some yellow, the spurs are straight, it can grow up to 100 cm tall and flowers in June – early August. The two blue columbines have blue sepals, 12 to 20 mm long with white to pale yellow blades that range from 7 to 10 mm long. The spurs are hooked, blue, 5 to 8 mm long, shorter than the blades and appear in June – July. The two species are primarily differentiated by A. brevistyla growing in a height range of 20 to 80 cm tall and many flowered while A. jonesii is much shorter, 5 to 20 cm, and typically has one flower.
Columbines grow well in shade, partial or semi-shade and full sun. They grow in ordinary garden soil, preferring moist soil, but not wet. None do well on heavy clay soil. These plants are all perennials but they tend to be shorter-lived, from three to five years but they produce sufficient seed to replace themselves. Propagation is not difficult. Collect the seeds when they are black and seed shallowly in the fall so they are naturally cold stratified by Mother Nature. If starting indoors, cold stratification will help with germination success. The species hybridizes so flower colour may change over time.