{"product_id":"western-columbine","title":"Western Columbine","description":"\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1020\" data-start=\"480\"\u003eWestern Columbine is a beautiful and hardy native perennial known for its striking red and yellow nodding flowers that bloom from spring into early summer. Growing up to 60cm tall, this wildflower is a magnet for hummingbirds and native pollinators. It thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, making it an excellent addition to woodland gardens, native borders, or naturalised areas. Once established, plants self-seed freely, creating dense and vibrant patches of blossoms that return year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1245\" data-start=\"1022\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1063\" data-start=\"1022\"\u003eWhere Can You Grow Western Columbine?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1066\" data-start=\"1063\"\u003eWell-suited to Zones 3–9, Western Columbine prefers part sun to light shade and moist, well-drained soil. Excellent for naturalised borders, forest edges, or wildflower plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1576\" data-start=\"1247\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1278\" data-start=\"1247\"\u003eHistory and Historical Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1281\" data-start=\"1278\"\u003eA key wildflower of coastal and interior BC, \u003cem data-end=\"1345\" data-start=\"1326\"\u003eAquilegia formosa\u003c\/em\u003e has been appreciated for centuries by Indigenous peoples and naturalists alike. Its unique bell-shaped flowers are adapted for pollination by long-tongued hummingbirds, making it an essential part of many native garden landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1872\" data-start=\"1578\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1607\" data-start=\"1578\"\u003eCanadian Zone Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1610\" data-start=\"1607\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1624\" data-start=\"1610\"\u003eZones 8–9:\u003c\/strong\u003e Direct sow in fall or early spring; will self-seed once established.\u003cbr data-end=\"1696\" data-start=\"1693\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1710\" data-start=\"1696\"\u003eZones 5–7:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cold-stratify seeds indoors or sow in early spring; mulch to retain moisture.\u003cbr data-end=\"1791\" data-start=\"1788\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1805\" data-start=\"1791\"\u003eZones 3–4:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start indoors with stratification and transplant after last frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1872\" data-start=\"1578\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0570\/7841\/5473\/files\/Plant_Hardiness.png?v=1734491528\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2257\" data-start=\"1874\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1919\" data-start=\"1874\"\u003eHow to Grow and Harvest Western Columbine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1922\" data-start=\"1919\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1935\" data-start=\"1922\"\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow seeds 3mm (⅛in) deep in fall or cold-stratify and sow in spring.\u003cbr data-end=\"2007\" data-start=\"2004\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2020\" data-start=\"2007\"\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep soil moist during establishment, then water during dry spells.\u003cbr data-end=\"2091\" data-start=\"2088\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2107\" data-start=\"2091\"\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deadhead for tidiness or leave seed heads for self-seeding.\u003cbr data-end=\"2170\" data-start=\"2167\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2185\" data-start=\"2170\"\u003eHarvesting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harvest seeds once seed pods dry; flowers can also be cut for bouquets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2581\" data-start=\"2259\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2297\" data-start=\"2259\"\u003eSeed Saving Tips for Future Supply\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2300\" data-start=\"2297\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2320\" data-start=\"2300\"\u003eLet Pods Mature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allow seed pods to fully dry on the plant.\u003cbr data-end=\"2366\" data-start=\"2363\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2388\" data-start=\"2366\"\u003eHarvest Carefully:\u003c\/strong\u003e Collect when pods rattle; store in paper bag.\u003cbr data-end=\"2437\" data-start=\"2434\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2455\" data-start=\"2437\"\u003eDry and Store:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully dry seeds before storing in cool, dark location.\u003cbr data-end=\"2513\" data-start=\"2510\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2527\" data-start=\"2513\"\u003eViability:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seeds remain viable for 2–3 years if stored properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2664\" data-start=\"2583\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2607\" data-start=\"2583\"\u003eCertified Organic By\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2610\" data-start=\"2607\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"2662\" data-start=\"2610\"\u003eIslands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Metchosin Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48811207393522,"sku":"MF-NATIVE-024","price":4.76,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/4106\/0082\/files\/Western_Columbine.jpg?v=1772481928","url":"https:\/\/homeandwell.ca\/products\/western-columbine","provider":"Home \u0026 Well ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}