Wild Red Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis – Wild Red Columbine. Ranunculaceae. Buttercup Family. Spring in my garden is about three weeks behind schedule, and so the flowers of Aquilegia canadensis are coming out a little late. Wild columbine is a delightful and reliable addition to a perennial garden. Here in my zone 3 garden, the columbine has been blooming for at least 15 years. It comes back every year, it is almost always healthy, and new plants pop up from seed around the garden, starting new growth in areas away from the parent plants and brightening the garden landscape. I have nine or ten plants this year. Most of them are growing along the perimeter of my main garden, which is situated in the full sun. The top photo was taken in early June. One week later, the flower stems are already quite tall, about two and a half feet tall, and the buds are opening up beautifully. I’ve read that the hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar of columbine flowers, but I have not yet seen any hummingbirds feeding on these plants. I’ve planted more red plants intentionally this year, so maybe I will see them earlier in the season. The flowers bloom throughout June and well into July. 
Photos: NK Location: Home garden. Copyright: www.cookiebuxton.com
