Columbines, members of the genus *Aquilegia*, are a diverse and captivating group of herbaceous perennials celebrated for their unique spurred flowers and airy foliage. From a botanical perspective, their variety in form and color is a result of both natural speciation and extensive horticultural breeding, leading to a wide array of choices for the gardener.
All columbines share a distinct floral morphology. Each flower consists of five sepals and five petals. The sepals are often petal-like and colorful, while the petals form the iconic tubular spurs that project backwards from the flower. These spurs, which vary dramatically in length and shape between species, are nectar repositories, co-evolved with specific pollinators like hummingbirds, hawkmoths, and bumblebees. The foliage is typically lobed, almost fern-like, forming an attractive mound of bluish-green leaves that often emerges in early spring.
The genus contains approximately 60-70 species, with several being particularly significant in horticulture. *Aquilegia vulgaris*, the European Columbine, often presents in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, with short, hooked spurs. *Aquilegia canadensis*, the wild Eastern Red Columbine, is renowned for its striking red and yellow flowers that are perfectly adapted to attract hummingbirds. In contrast, *Aquilegia chrysantha*, the Golden Columbine, produces large, long-spurred yellow flowers that are exceptionally drought-tolerant. The Rocky Mountain Columbine, *Aquilegia caerulea*, is the state flower of Colorado, famous for its stunning blue and white bi-colored flowers with long, straight spurs.
The color palette of modern columbines is vast, a testament to plant breeding programs that have hybridized various species. The spectrum includes:
Blues and Purples: Ranging from the pale powder blue of some *A. vulgaris* varieties to the intense violet-blue of *A. caerulea* and deep plum shades in hybrids like 'William Guiness'.
Reds and Pinks: From the true scarlet of *A. canadensis* to soft salmon, deep crimson, and vibrant hot pink seen in cultivars such as 'Crimson Star'.
Yellows and Oranges: Including the clear lemon-yellow of ‘Texas Yellow’, the rich gold of *A. chrysantha*, and unique apricot-orange tones.
Whites and Bi-colors: Pure white varieties like ‘Snow Queen’ are elegant, while many of the most popular cultivars are bi-colored. These often feature contrasting spurs and sepals, such as the blue and white of *A. caerulea* or the red and white of ‘Biedermeier’ strains.
Beyond the species, numerous hybrid series have been developed. The McKana Giants and Songbird series offer a wide range of long-spurred bi-colors. The dwarf Biedermeier group is ideal for rock gardens and containers. More recently, the Remembrance series has been bred for exceptionally strong, upright stems. Some hybrids even push the color boundaries further, featuring nearly black flowers (‘Black Barlow’), or double-petaled, spurless forms that resemble small dahias (the ‘Barlow’ series).
