Wild Red Columbine, or Eastern Red Columbine, is a native perennial known for its nodding, red and yellow tubular flowers. Blooming in early spring, it provides an essential nectar source for hummingbirds and early-season pollinators. This adaptable plant thrives in woodlands, rocky slopes, and garden settings, adding delicate beauty with its lacy foliage and vibrant blooms.
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Growth Habits & Characteristics:
•Height: 1–3 feet
•Spread: 1–2 feet
•Sun Requirements: Partial shade to full sun
•Soil Preferences: Well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils; tolerates dry to moist conditions
•Lifespan: Perennial
•Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring (April–June)
•Water Needs: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
•Growth Habit: Clump-forming, with delicate, deeply lobed green foliage
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Host Insect:
Serves as a host plant for Columbine Duskywing butterfly caterpillars.
Pollinator Importance:
•Primary nectar source for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
•Attracts bumblebees, long-tongued bees, and hawk moths.
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Companion Plants:
•Phlox divaricata (Wild Blue Phlox) – Complements with blue blooms in early spring.
•Geranium maculatum (Wild Geranium) – Shares a similar woodland habitat and attracts pollinators.
•Ferns
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Ecological Importance:
•Pollinator Magnet: One of the best early-season nectar sources for hummingbirds and bees.
•Host Plant: Supports the Columbine Duskywing butterfly.
•Erosion Control: Helps stabilize rocky and woodland soils with its fibrous roots.
•Resilient and Adaptive: Tolerates a wide range of conditions, from dry rocky slopes to rich woodland soils.
•Biodiversity Booster: Supports native pollinators and adds to the ecological richness of woodland habitats.