Columbines

Aquilegia canadensis The Jesuit explorers (late 1500s) were so impressed by this Columbine that they carried seeds back with them to Europe where it quickly became a garden staple. ‘Wild Columbine’ was an early favorite US garden flower as well and was grown at Monticello. Food for hummingbirds in early summer, the vivid red nodding flowers are gorgeous in the flower bed. 2-3 feet. Part to full sun. Perennial. 50+ seeds

(Aquilegia caerulea) This is a beautiful mix of jewel toned giant (2-3 feet) native U.S. columbines. Columbines attract and feed hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Will bloom in the early summer and form a clump over time. Plants produce large flowers, many of which will be bi-colored. Colors include purple, white, yellow, pinks, and reds. Gorgeous! Part sun. Perennial. 2-3 feet. 50+ seeds

(Aquilea caerula) Beautiful in blue and white, Rocky Mountain Columbine is the state flower of Colorado and an important native for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Will bloom in the early summer and form a clump over time. Plants bear upright facing blooms that may exhibit slight variations of pink or pure white. Part sun. Perennial. 2-3 feet. 50+ seeds

(Aquilegia Biedermeier) With both religious meaning (said to represent the Holy Spirit) and medicinal uses, these European Columbines were an important plant for the early settlers to bring with them to the U.S. This type will produce a mix of rich colors including many bicolors on dwarf plants (up tp 18 inches tall) that are pretty in the spring garden. Flowers are upright instead of nodding like taller columbines. 12-18 inches. Part to most sun. Perennial. 50+ seeds.

(Aquilegia oxysepala) Native to Asia (the home of the original, ancestral columbines) this columbine is gorgeous in plum and lemon yellow – an excellent addition to the late spring garden. Part sun. Perennial. 2-3 feet. 50+ seeds