Aquilegia canadensis aka Red Columbine

Taxonomy

Aquilegia canadensis, also known as Canadian or Canada columbine, eastern red columbine, or wild columbine, is a species of herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It is native to woodland and rocky slopes in eastern North America, including Missouri, and is prized for its red and yellow drooping, bell-like flowers, which are quite attractive to hummingbirds. The flowers have red sepals, yellow-limbed petals, five distinctive red spurs, and a mass of bushy yellow stamens. The delicate, biternate foliage is somewhat suggestive of meadow rue and remains attractive throughout the summer as long as soils are kept moist. The genus name Aquilegia comes from the Latin word for eagle, in reference to the flower's five spurs, which purportedly resemble an eagle's talon, while the specific epithet canadensis means of Canada or also of northeastern North America. Wild Red Columbine is a super rare houseplant that is not challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It prefers long-lasting, direct light and should be less than one foot from a window. The plant likes soil that is well-draining and shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. Wild Red Columbine belongs to the Aquilegia genus and is native to North America. Additionally, Aquilegia canadensis readily hybridizes with other species in the genus Aquilegia.

Common names

Red Columbine, Wild Columbine, Meeting Houses

How to care for Red Columbine

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Red Columbine is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Red Columbine should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Red Columbine loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Red Columbine prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

The Red Columbine should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

The Red Columbine is a clumping species, with new growth arising from the soil surrounding the parent plant.

Region of origin

Red Columbine’s native range is N. America - Nova Scotia to the Northwest Territories and south to Nebraska, Texas and Florida.

More info:
Wikipedia