Aquilegia canadensis 

'Red Columbine'

Ranunculaceae: an herbaceous perennial to 90cm. Found in woodland and rocky slopes. The flowers are 2.5-5cm long and have yellow petals with a red spur and red sepals. They appear, nodding on stems above the leaves. The round end of the spur contains nectar, which is sought by butterflies and hummingbirds. Blooming from May-July. The leaves are lobed and grouped in threes, growing from the base and off the flowering stems. Native to North America, Nova Scotia to the Northwest Territories and south to Nebraska, Texas and Florida.

USES:

The raw flowers sweet and rich in nectar, they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads.

Native American tribes used various parts of red columbine in herbal remedies for ailments such as headache, sore throat, fever, rash caused by poison ivy, stomatitis, kidney and urinary problems, and heart problems. Native American men also rubbed crushed seeds on their hands as a love charm.

The caterpillars of Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius) feed on the leaves.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C [68°F]. Seeds must be covered thinly. Do not cover very small seeds, but tightly press into the earth. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs. An easily grown and very tolerant plant, it succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position, but also does well in semi-shade. A very ornamental and cold-hardy plant, it tolerates temperatures down to about -25°C. Plants are short-lived, dying out after 2-3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically. Plants are pollinated by humming birds in the wild, but also attracts butterflies and bees.

HARVESTED:

 
APPROX. 100+ SEEDS