Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett'
Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett' is a compact form of native columbine with nodding sulfur yellow flowers held above delicate blue green foliage in spring. Its dwarf habit makes it especially useful in smaller garden spaces while the distinctive flowers bring early season color to woodland and cottage style plantings.
Height & Spread: 12 - 18 in x 9 - 15 in
Bloom Time: Mid spring to early summer
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Average to moist well drained soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Deer Resistance: Deer and rabbit resistant
Native Status
This is a cultivated form of Aquilegia canadensis, a native North American wildflower found across much of eastern and central Canada and the United States. 'Corbett' was selected for its distinctive yellow flowers and compact habit while retaining the wildlife value of the native species.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Hummingbirds
- Highly attractive to hummingbirds which are drawn to the nectar rich flowers and their long nectar spurs during the spring bloom period.
Butterflies
- Provides an early season nectar source for butterflies including swallowtails and other spring active species.
Bees
- Attracts bumblebees and other native bees which forage among the nodding flowers for nectar.
Birds
- Produces small seeds that can provide food for songbirds later in the season while its foliage offers low growing cover.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 9 - 15 in apart to allow the compact clumps to develop without crowding while creating a fuller planting over time.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for woodland gardens, cottage gardens, rock gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized areas where its unusual yellow flowers can brighten lightly shaded spaces.
Companion Plants
- Heuchera 'Palace Purple' (Coral Bells) - Provides dark foliage that creates a striking contrast with the pale yellow flowers.
- Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' (Siberian Bugloss) - Adds silvery foliage that brightens the planting and complements the delicate form of columbine.
- Pulmonaria 'Bertram Anderson' (Lungwort) - Offers patterned foliage and early flowers that complement Corbett's spring bloom period.
- Hosta 'Halcyon' (Plantain Lily) - Adds broad blue green foliage that contrasts with the fine textured columbine leaves.
- Astilbe 'Ostrich Plume' (Astilbe) - Provides feathery summer flower plumes that continue the soft texture after columbine finishes blooming.