Columbine is a genus of 60–70 species of perennial plants in the hellebore family (Ranunculaceae) that are found in meadows, woodlands, and at higher altitudes throughout the Northern hemisphere. The genus name comes from Latin meaning eagle and refers to the spurred flowers that some say resemble eagle talons. They are fairly short-lived (2-3 years) but will spread by seed. These plants grow 1/2-3 feet tall with thick rhizomatous roots. The basal leaves are compound and lobed with similar alternate stem leaves. The flowers generally appear in spring in various colors that attract hummingbirds and pollinators. They help fill the niche between early spring bulbs and summer-blooming plants. This plant prefers well-drained moist average soil in part shade but will tolerate full sun if kept moist. It is intolerant of wet poorly drained soils. Use columbines in the border. meadow or naturalized settings, English gardens and pollinator or native gardens There are now many hybrids available that were created with both North American and European species. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Will readily seed.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are ternately compound (divided into groups of 3 leaflets). Leaf size varies depending on the species. Leaflets are oval with deep rounded lobes, basal and alternate on the stem. Leaves are delicate looking and stay attractive during the season.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Spurred flowers are in terminal clusters and come in various colors and are often bicolored. Spurs vary in length. Blooms mid-spring into summer
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Follicle
Fruit detail
5-15 follicles containing many seeds
Stem color
Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America, Europe, Asia
Distribution
Only one species, Aquilegia canadensis, is native to NC.
Wildlife value
Host plant to some Lepidoptera moths and butterflies
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Follicle
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Meadow; Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; English Garden; Native Garden; Pollinator Garden