
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
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.
Little Lanterns Wild Columbine Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
Plant Type: Perennials |
Light Exposure: Full Shade (Less Than 2 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 8 - 10 Inches |
Mature Spread: 8 - 12 Inches |
Spacing: 8 - 12 Inches |
Habit: Mounded |
Flower Color(s): Orange, Red, Yellow |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: April to June |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Edging, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Little Lanterns Wild Columbine |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: AQUILEGIA CANADENSIS `LITTLE LANTERNS` |
- SKU:
- 1231003654-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

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Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.