Description
Aquilegia (Columbine) ack-will-LEE-jah
The perennial columbine (Aquilegia), aka granny’s bonnet, displays bell-shaped, spurred flowers ranging in color from light pastels to bright reds, yellows, oranges, purples and bi-colors from midspring to early summer. Once started, columbine propagates for years and although they are perennials, they also multiply rapidly by self-seeding. There are more than 70 species, including several native North American varieties. Most columbine blooms from mid-spring to early summer. Columbine flowers attract butterflies, bees, moths and hummingbirds. The leaves have a lacy appearance and although they look delicate, columbine is hardy and resilient. Columbine is deer-resistant and drought tolerant, too.