Eastern Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Regular price $14

Container size:
4.5 in. wide x 5 in. deep / 32 fl. oz.

More plants available in 2025

The red and yellow flowers of eastern columbine open just as the ruby-throated hummingbirds start arriving in spring. The flowers also provide nectar for bumblebees.

  • Thrives in shade
  • Compact habit
  • Evergreen leaves

Details

  • 2 to 3 feet tall 
  • 1 to 2 feet wide
  • Can self-seed to create stunning colonies 
  • Hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9

Flowering Period

In central North Carolina, blooming starts in early March and continues into May.

How to Grow

Shade to part shade, morning sun is ideal. Grow columbine in lean, well-drained soil. Tends to be short-lived in rich soil and requires good drainage during the summer to prevent rotting.

Care and Maintenance

Easy, and carefree. Deadheading the old flowers will prevent self-seeding, though self-sown seedlings are nearly always welcome.

Where to Plant

Along the front of shaded flower beds where they can self-seed and create natural colonies.

When to Plant

Eastern Columbine actively grow and establish themselves during the cooler seasons of fall, winter, and early spring.

Spacing

Around 18 inches apart when planting in a group.

When will my plant flower?

Fall and winter planted columbines will flower in the spring.

Native Habitat and Range

Woodlands throughout most of eastern North America.

Source and Origin

Grown from seeds collected here at the nursery. Original source is from seeds collected along a streambank in Jones County, North Carolina.

States Orders up to $50 Orders $51 to $100 Orders over $100
AL, DE, GA, KY, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV $16 $18 $20
AR, CT, FL, IL, IN, LA, MA, MI, MO, MS, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT, and WI $18 $20 $22
IA, KS, ME, MN, OK, and TX $20 $22 $24
CO, NE, ND, and SD $22 $24 $26

 

Sorry, we can't ship plants outside of the continental United States or to AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, and WA due to agriculture restrictions.

When will my order be shipped?

All plants are shipped within two weeks of placing an order.

Is it okay to plant in the winter?

Yes, as long as the soil is not frozen. Planting native perennials in winter and early spring gives your plants a head start before the summer heat arrives.

What if it’s too cold to plant where I live, but I want to buy a plant before it sells out?

Dormant plants can safely be kept in a basement, garage, or cool room until you are ready to plant in late winter or early spring.

How will my plants get delivered?

Most orders are shipped on Monday or Tuesday via UPS Ground, which depending on the destination takes between 1 to 4 days.

Are your plants shipped in their containers?

Yes, all our plants are shipped in their growing containers. The majority are grown in containers that are 4.5 inches wide by 5 inches deep and 32 fl. oz. / 946 ml in volume.

Do you guarantee your plants?

We guarantee our plants to be healthy, ready for planting and correctly named. We are not able to guarantee whether a plant will grow in your garden as there are too many circumstances that are beyond our control.
On rare occasions, a plant shipped dormant may fail to emerge from its dormancy. If this happens, please let us know. If you are concerned about a plant, please contact us within 14 days to let us know. If we can’t help you make it grow, we’ll send you a new plant or issue a refund.

Can I return my plants?

You can return your plants if you no longer want them once they arrive. To receive a refund (minus 20% restocking fee) the plants must be returned in good condition. Return shipping is the customer’s responsibility. 

Can I cancel my order?

Yes, you can cancel your order. Please visit our terms and service page for details.

What about sales tax?

We propagate our own plants and are not required to collect North Carolina sales tax.

Where can I find information about your plants?

Here are some FAQ on how we grow plants.