Blooming mid through late April, Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a perfect welcome sign for the ruby-throated hummingbird returning to St. Louis this time of year. Sporting mostly a bright red color and a tubular shaped flower, hummingbirds just can’t pass it up. This flower is built for their eyes to see and their long beaks to feed.
Columbine is a tough plant and can survive in most places, including rock crevices. Put it in sun-shade, dry-average soil moisture, and enjoy these red and yellow flowers and the visitors they attract. Note: Columbine will re-seed, but these seedlings are easy to pull if you don’t mind this activity. Spent flower heads can be cut off to keep seed from spreading, or you can just let it fill in where it may!
Pictures taken at Murphy Lake in Forest Park.
