Little Lanterns Wild Columbine

Light Needs

Full Shade to Partial Sun

(0 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-11 Inches

Mature Spread

6-18 Inches

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Aquilegia canadensis ‘Little Lanterns’, also called Little Lanterns Wild Columbine, is a darling dwarf form of native columbine with prolific showy blooms. The trumpet-shaped red flowers sport yellow centers and are magnets for hummingbirds in the early spring. This perennial also attracts songbirds, bumblebees and native butterflies. It has lacy, lobed leaves that provide a lovely groundcover after the blooms are spent. These plants are very adaptable and can be easily tucked into shady corners needing some color.

Little lanterns in a low-mounding perennial that reaches 10 inches high and 12 inches wide. It is easy to grow and develops drought tolerance over time, although it performs best with regular water. Grow this cutie along garden paths, in the front of perennial borders, in cottage gardens, woodland gardens, or containers. This perennial is extremely cold hardy down to zone 3. It is resistant to leaf miners, deer, and rabbits. 

Little Lanterns Wild Columbine Care

Grow Little Lanterns in part sun to full shade, with no more than 4 hours of direct sunlight. They burn in hot afternoon sun and prefer moist woodland conditions. They are not particular about soil pH or soil type, and do not require fertilizer. Water regularly for best performance, and apply a light layer of mulch around the root zone. 

Trim stems back in late fall as the plant starts to go dormant. It may stay evergreen in warmer climates. Columbines will lightly self-seed, providing new plants that can be transplanted to desired areas. Remove spent flowers to prevent self-sowing. 

Little Lanterns Wild Columbine Spacing

Little Lanterns should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart for mass plantings. They grow readily in containers, which should be 12 inches in diameter to accommodate their deep root system.