Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is not considered an invasive plant. This native wildflower, known for its distinctive red and yellow flowers, is a beneficial addition to many gardens. It naturally occurs across a wide range of eastern North America and plays a specific role within its native ecosystems.
Defining Plant Invasiveness
An invasive plant is typically a non-native species that, once introduced to an environment, establishes quickly, reproduces rapidly, and spreads aggressively. This spread often results in economic or environmental harm, such as outcompeting native plants for resources like light, nutrients, and water. Invasive species can also disrupt ecosystems by altering habitats, reducing biodiversity, and even impacting human health or agriculture.
It is important to differentiate invasive plants from those that are merely “aggressive” or “self-seeding.” Aggressive plants, whether native or non-native, spread rapidly and can outcompete other species. Not all non-native plants are invasive; the key distinction lies in whether the plant causes significant ecological or economic harm in its new environment.
Characteristics of Red Columbine
Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a perennial herb native to a vast area of eastern North America, stretching from Canada down to Florida and Texas. Its wide native range means it has evolved within these ecosystems and coexists with other native flora and fauna. Its growth habit is generally erect and branching, typically reaching heights of 1 to 3 feet.
While Red Columbine is known to self-seed readily, this is a natural reproductive strategy for a native plant and does not lead to the ecological harm associated with invasive species. Its ability to spread by seed is part of its lifecycle as a native wildflower, allowing it to maintain populations within its natural habitat. Unlike true invasive plants, Red Columbine does not typically overwhelm or displace diverse native plant communities.
Red Columbine in Your Garden
Red Columbine offers numerous benefits in a garden setting, reinforcing its non-invasive status. Its unique, nodding red and yellow flowers, which appear from late spring to early summer, are particularly attractive to specific pollinators. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are highly drawn to its nectar, especially as they return north in the spring, making it a valuable early-season food source.
Beyond hummingbirds, Red Columbine also attracts bumblebees, hawk moths, and serves as a host plant for the Columbine Duskywing butterfly. While it self-seeds, gardeners can manage its spread by deadheading spent flowers. Allowing it to self-seed can create a naturalized look, and new plants are generally easy to relocate. Its adaptability to various light and soil conditions, from part shade to full sun and well-drained soils, further makes it a desirable and manageable plant for diverse garden designs.