In its Native Habitat

Despite our best efforts as gardeners, at duplicating what we see in nature, and improving upon it with our own combinations and patterns, there is something wonderfully majestic about observing a favourite plant in its native habitat.

Such was the case a few weeks back, when I saw a beautiful stand of Aquilegia canadensis, the Canadian Columbine, on wooded and rocky outcrops along Twiss Road, just north of Burlington, Ontario.
The self-sowing tendencies of this plant were evident with several plants established on various levels of the outcrop, as well as in an actual row alongside the road. In my garden, I let it do its thing amongst Hostas, ferns and Martagon Lilies.

I've long been enamoured by this plant, preferring its grace and subtle beauty over the larger-flowered modern hybrids. Phillips and Rix state that it is pollinated by hummingbirds.
More recently, the dwarf strain 'Little Lanterns' has been very impressive, as well as the newer 'Pink Lanterns'.
Interestingly, Jelitto and Schacht record several forms of the species: "albiflora with white flowers, flaviflora flowers entirely yellow, and phippenii sepals pink, petals yellow" which must have been used to create the newer seed strains.

Here's to dirt under your nails.

Mark, the coolplantsguy

Another Cool Native Plant, the Canadian Columbine

Another native plant that I've really enjoyed growing in my garden is Aquilegia canadensis. It's sometimes called Wild, Red or American Columbine, but I prefer Canadian Columbine.

Photo from Cornell University, Cutler Botanic Garden

In any case, it's a beauty to combine with Hostas, ferns and other North American woodland natives in a shady garden. It's short-lived but self-seeds pleasantly, and is also relatively resistant to the nasty Columbine borer.

The common names, and my preference aside, the USDA does indicate that its distribution pretty much covers the eastern half of the North American continent.

One recent form that is particularly impressive is 'Little Lanterns' which is a shorter version, but also seemingly more prolific in it's flower production. Here's a two-year-old plant with an impressive number of flowers.




















Even more recently, the Dyck Arboretum in Kansas, discovered and developed a pink-flowered version called 'Pink Lanterns'. I have yet to try it, but it looks promising and I can hardly wait.

Photo from Jelitto

Here's to the Canadian Columbine, and dirt under your nails.

MPD