Columbine Collection

[Izzie]

Aquilegias are my favorite garden flower- and I didn't really realize that I had built up a collection until earlier this spring! So all of them (that have bloomed) have gotten gussied up and photographed.

I think their flowers are so unique- and the foliage is lovely even when they're not blooming. Plus, they're one of the few flowers that actually thrives in CO's harsh desert climate. Hence them being our state flower.

I'll post some of my favorites here, but you can see the rest on my album on this board- http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ollection.html

Or on my Flickr photostream (better quality)- Flickr: Mountain.Musician's Photostream


(give me a moment, I'm trying some new techniques with uploading)

My longtime favorite- Aquilegia Spring Magic 'Rose & Ivory'


Aquilegia Songbird 'Bluebird'


Aquilegia 'Origami Blue & White'


The oldest- a noid (aka, Aquilegia hybrida)


My only species so far- Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns'


Aquilegia 'Biedermeier'

[Becca]

I love Columbine! Very beautiful!

[Izzie]

Thanks Becca! Do you have any?

[Becca]

I had some, they were planted in the yard at the previous house, then I dug them up and stuck them in a large pot and that is how I kept them on the front porch for a couple of years. Then I moved and they just weren't looking as vibrant, very pale looking, so I yanked them out. Now that I have a fresh slate at the new (old) house, I plan on planting more. I really like how vibrant the color of yours are!

[Izzie]

I hope you get some going! They're such rewarding plants. The only problem I ever have is with mildew- but you can keep them blooming all summer if you keep deadheading.

Thanks- the Songbird 'Bluebird' decided to magically get darker this week, I suspect because the sun has not been as strong, and perhaps because I fertilized.

[Royal]

Nice ones, Izzie. I grow a few of these, but in Texas they are really early spring bloomers. I love the long growing season here, but sometimes I wish I could grow more cool stuff (pun intended).

[Paul]

Very nice! Unfortunately most columbines are short lived perenials up at my folks place. The only type that has comeback repeatedly (and some of that may be from reseeding) is a dark purple type

[Tindomul]

OMG, absolutely gorgeous!! I have only seen A. canadensis before. What a beautiful genus.

[Call_Me_Bob]

love them!! i have one or two that came up in my garden for no reason, but i love um! the dark purple on is my favorite, so dark and lovely

[Tindomul]

what are good conditions for them? I've only seen them in deep dark forests.