A very adaptable plant native to Wisconsin. Great for the wildflower garden or in the perennial border. Readily produces seedlings, which can naturalize a site.
Pronunciation
(ack-wi-lee'gee-a)
Plant Type
All Plants, Wild Flowers
Hardiness Zone
3
Sunlight
prefers semi-shade, have seen it growing in full sun with adequate moisture
Moisture
prefers moist, grows equally as well in average conditions
Flowers
five upside-down red orange tubes, center is yellow
Fruit
The flower will form a seedpod that splits along the side to drop the hard, black small seeds.
Leaves
bluish green, stalked compound leaf with three leaflets that have three divisions
Dimensions
1-2 feet tall
Maintenance
As with most Columbine these are attacked by a leaf minor. It seems that the native Columbine is less susceptible to this pest than the hybrid plants. Will quickly naturalize an area by seeds.
Propagation
seeds
Native Site
The only Columbine native to North America.
Misc Facts
North American Indians prepared a headache remedy from the seeds and used crushed seeds as a perfume. The species genus name "Aquilegia" is Latin for an eagle as in the form of the petals. Columbine is English alluding to the form of the flower, which has the shape of a Dove. Native North American wildflower
Author's Notes
I grew up watching this plant grow by my parent’s house and we called it by the common but incorrect name Honeysuckle.
Notes & Reference
#41-Wildflowers of Wisconsin, #176-Aquilegia (Robert Nord)