Aquilegia, European Columbine, European Crowsfoot, Granny's Bonnets 'Winky Blue and White'

This is my favorite columbine! It has large beautiful blue and white upward facing flowers. Grows well in our climate. It really will ...Read Moredistribute seeds freely, but I haven't found them further than about 1 foot away from the plants even in our 40-50 mph winds. The best way to propagate them is to allow the seed heads to dry on the plant, then collect them and distribute them (no need to dig a hole and plant, just throw them on soil without other vegetation) either immediately or wait until early the next spring. I've done both and not sure which is best yet. The ONLY hesitation I have about this plant is it dies way back during the heat of summer, but comes alive again in the fall. I cut it pretty far back in the summer because it appears almost dead. However, this area gets pretty hot mid day sun. I'm trying it in full shade areas this year and will see how it goes. These are also the seeds I distributed as soon as they dried on the plant. It truly is a beautiful plant if you like blue flowers! I'm thrilled that it is so easy to propagate and will give away lots of seeds to friends. Whoever said not to grow columbines is a complete fool.

We planted some of these years ago. They are vigorous and happy, the first of our columbines to come up every year. The Pacific Northwes...Read Moret was made for them, apparently, because they have found their way to every corner of our garden, all by themselves. We've learned to deadhead them before they go to seed because they are prolific and will travel!

I fell in love with this flower as soon as I saw it in my local nursery's catalog, which is what I do all winter long. I bought 2 small p...Read Morelants in the end of spring 2010, they grew beautifully and rewarded me with blooms this spring, 2011. Unfortunately, I live in a condo and during spring clean up the 'landscapers' decided to pull one of them but I was lucky enough that they do not understand anything about 'weeds' so they just broke it off, leaving the roots intact. Needless to say I was very unhappy, to say the least, but it came back and it is not as full as that other plant but I hope it will bloom just as good next spring.

A local plant guru must be descended from the Grinch who Stole Christmas, IMHO. I say the more the freakin' merrier and I hereby voluntee...Read Morer to come to the rescue of any other Grinch local to me who needs columbine relief.