MWC Eco-brief: Spring Flowering Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is an early blooming native plant of wooded areas, savannas, and exposed bedrock and cliffs in the Midwest. As a spring blooming species, it is often included in pollinator plantings. Unfortunately, this species does not establish well in areas typically planted for pollinators. This highlights the importance of understanding the habitat requirements of each species included in a seed mix to ensure the restoration is as successful on the land as it looks on paper.