Aquilegia Or Columbine - Eagle Or Dove?

Is it an eagle or a dove? Aquilegia or Columbine? Actually this perennial wildflower that has become one of the favorite old-fashioned garden favorites is both! It's Latin name is Aquilegia, from aquila, meaning eagle -- a reference to the long spurs on the flowers. The common name, Columbine, comes from the Latin name for dove, perhaps for the sweetness of its nectar.

Columbines are native to woodlands and meadows throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and more common at higher altitudes. There are about 70 species worldwide, and several of these have been cultivated as our garden flowers. Ones developed from the common European A. vulgaris generally have shorter spurs than the A. caerulea or A. canadensis, both North American wildflowers. A long-time favorite, the columbine has been cultivated for generations. It grows well in rock gardens, massed in a border, or in a semi-shaded spot among hostas and ferns.

Cultivars of columbines produce graceful flowers that nod with the breeze atop their tall stems. The blooms have 5 petals that each form a long nectar containing spur in front of 5 elongated sepals that resemble a second set of petals. The hybrid plants bloom in almost all colors of the rainbow, including white, and often are two toned with sepals and petals of contrasting colors. The deep green foliage with lacy lobed leaves is attractive even when the flowering season has ended. With their store of nectar, the flowers are favorites of hummingbirds.

This is an easy plant to grow, adapting to most conditions. It does best in moist rich soils, with some shade. The foliage clumps emerge from a long woody rootstock. Most cultivars will grow from one to 3 feet tall, upright and quite bushy when mature. The flowers can be widely spaced on the tall stems, facing downwards or in an upright tight flower grouping, depending on the cultivar.

Columbines will self seed very readily, so either clip off the immature seed heads or be prepared to thin out seedling the following spring. Most columbines will bloom in their second season and will live about 4 years, so you will want to keep some of the seedlings. Watch out for leaf miners that can spoil the appearance of the leaves. If they appear, just cut back the plants to encourage new clean growth.

Species and Varieties:

A caerulea: Native to the Rockies, the cultivated plants have blue-green foliage and typical long-spurred white and lavender flowers. This is Colorado's state flower.

A. canadensis: Delicate brick-red flowers with yellow centers, this native wildflower is a good woodland or border flower, loved by hummingbirds.

A. flabellata: The Japanese fan columbine is a dwarf species, with large waxy blue or white flowers. A perfect rock garden specimen, with blue-green leaves.

A. vulgaris: This is the European native columbine, with small frilly flowers in shades of blue, maroon and violet. Many cultivars are available.

Cultivars: Many double flowers have been developed, as well as variations of color and size. They readily cross with each other, creating even more possibilities! Here are a few:

Dorothy Rose: Lovely light rose-pink flowers with distinctive blossoms that have several blooms set inside one another.

Blue Barlow: A distinctive blue double blossom that looks like a tiny dahlia.

Nora Barlow: Wide open fully double flowers in combinations of red, pink and green, these resemble mini-dahlias.

McKana's Giants: Large showy flowers with long spurs and wide trumpets in a mixture of pastels, this one stands a full 30 inches. Great for cutting, this is an All America Selection.