Aquilegia
Columbine
This genus deserves its lofty names, which mean “eagle” and “dove,” because its intricate flowers have been said to resemble birds in flight. Beyond the symbolism of the flowers, the finely textured, widely varied species possess a gracefulness that is likely to carry you to heights of enjoyment. Whether trim dwarfs or fancy long-spurred varieties, Columbines are characterized by fern-like 3-lobed leaves. They are best suited for naturalizing in a woodland with dappled light, however the smaller species will thrive in a partially shaded garden bed.
For its early blooming, uniquely hued flowers plus fine-cut appearance, this sweetly perfumed 1902 heirloom was recently nominated Plant of the Month by the North American Rock Garden Society. The compact cold-hardy mound of biternate blue-green foliage supports nodding clustered flowers with zingy chartreuse anthers, plum-flushed pale green sepals and purplish cocoa-colored petals topped by short straight spurs. Native to eastern Siberia, Japan and western China, Aquilegia viridiflora sprouts violet-tinged new growth, entrances the pollinators plus lends a dainty softness to rockeries and cottage gardens.
Blooms April–June
Size: 16" – 20" high x 12" wide.
Hardy to zone 3.
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Other selections in this genus:
- Aquilegia atrata
- Aquilegia buergeriana ‘Calimero’
- Aquilegia canadensis ‘Corbett’
- Aquilegia canadensis ‘Pink Lanterns’
- Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Denver Gold’
- Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Yellow Queen’
- Aquilegia flabellata ‘Blue Angel’
- Aquilegia flabellata ‘White Angel’
- Aquilegia ‘Heavenly Blue’
- Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Heidi’
- Aquilegia ‘Kristall’
- Aquilegia olympica
- Aquilegia oxysepala
- Aquilegia rockii
- Aquilegia sibirica
- Aquilegia vulgaris plena ‘Ruby Port’
- Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Blue Barlow’
- Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Green Apples’
- Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Leprechaun Gold’
- Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Mellow Yellow’
- Aquilegia vulgaris ‘William Guiness’
- Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Gold’
