Columbine - A Plant of the Ranunculaceae Family
Published · Flower Resource
This flower belongs to the buttercup family and they are herbaceous perennials. Columbines come in many different colors and some of them are even bicolored. They come in red, yellow, white, blue, pink, salmon and purple colors. They are lovely airy plants with attractive foliage. They bloom in late spring to early summer and they reach around 2 feet in height. This plant is native to the woods of eastern North America and other plants are native to Asia, Europe and the Western United States as well.
The scientific name of genus Aquilegia comes from Latin word for Eagle that is Aquila and the hawkish origin of the word columbine refers to doves. Thus some people find resemblance in the inverted columbine flower to five doves nestled together. Throughout the history the symbolism of columbine flowers is varied but few meanings include foolishness, innocence, seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, little doves and protector against evil. So you can give these flowers to your friends and relatives on different occasion.
Uses of Columbine
- They are drought tolerant perennials and so they are perfect for rock gardens or woodland gardens.
- Because of their attractive foliage they even suit as edging plants and they are also frequently used in cottage gardens.
- The crushes seeds and roots were earlier used to treat headaches, heart problems and sore throats.
- Native Americans used the crushes seeds as a love charm and for other medicinal purposes.
Interesting Facts
- These flowers attract the hummingbirds and thus the bird watchers will get in merry mood.
- It is said these columbine flowers resemble jester’s caps.
- Other species of these plants are alpine, caerulea, chrysantha, flabellate and vulgaris.
- The flowers are also attractive to butterflies, bees and moths.
- Columbine is also the name of the city is Colorado, neighborhood throughout the Littleton, Colorado community.
Soil Needed
- Prepare the beds with rich and well drained soil.
- Columbine grows well in sun or light shade.
How to Plant?
- Sow the seeds directly into the ground or indoors in spring some 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost.
- And allow the plant to self seed and it will produce many volunteer seedlings.
- You can also transplant by digging the hole twice the diameter of the pot and place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- Space mature plants 1 to 2 feet apart and water thoroughly.
- Columbine has a long taproot and so they do not transplant easily, so small plants should be chosen and should be set in permanent location.
Maintenance and Care
- Mulch the plants to conserve water in summer and also when the ground is frozen to protect the plants.
- Deadheading is also necessary because if you won’t the resulting seed production will sap the strength of your columbine plants they will die out soon.
- Do not overwater.
- Cut back the foliage to the ground in fall season.