Columbines belong to the genus Aquilegia, a group of herbaceous perennials within the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family. Botanically, they are recognized for their unique flower structure. The common name "columbine" derives from the Latin aquila for "eagle," referring to the flower's five backward-extending spurs that resemble an eagle's talons. Conversely, the spurs can also look like a circle of doves (columba), giving the plant its common name. This genus is comprised of approximately 60-70 species, primarily found in meadows, woodlands, and at higher altitudes throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Several Aquilegia species form the genetic foundation for the vast array of garden hybrids available today. Aquilegia vulgaris, the European Columbine, is known for its short, hooked spurs and is the progenitor of many classic, often purple or blue, "granny's bonnet" varieties. Aquilegia canadensis, the native Eastern Red Columbine, features striking red and yellow flowers with straight spurs and is exceptionally attractive to hummingbirds and bumblebees. For gardeners seeking dramatic stature and large, long-spurred blooms, Aquilegia chrysantha, the Golden Columbine, is a key species, contributing genes for height and vibrant yellow color to modern cultivars.
Through extensive hybridization, numerous cultivar groups have been developed, offering a wide spectrum of colors, spur lengths, and growth habits. The McKana Giants and Songbird series are renowned for their very long, elegant spurs and a bicolor mix of blooms in nearly every color combination. The shorter-spurred, double-flowered Barlow series (Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow') offers a unique, pom-pom appearance with no visible spurs. For a more minimalist and modern aesthetic, the Spurless Columbines, such as the ‘Origami’ series, have been bred to lack the characteristic spurs entirely, presenting a clean, star-shaped bloom.
From a plant morphology perspective, columbines exhibit a clump-forming growth habit. They produce a basal rosette of attractive, lobed, often blue-green foliage that emerges in early spring. The leaves are compound, typically two- or three-times ternate, giving them a delicate, fern-like texture that provides interest even when the plant is not in bloom. Flowering stems rise elegantly above this foliage mound, bearing the nodding flowers. After flowering, the plant develops follicles (dry fruit) that split open to release numerous small, black seeds.
Columbines play a specific ecological role. Their unique flower morphology is an evolutionary adaptation for pollination by specific agents. Long-spurred varieties are perfectly suited for long-tongued pollinators like hummingbirds, hawk-moths, and bumblebees, which can access the nectar stored at the spur's tip. This specialization makes them an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. It is important to note that all parts of the Aquilegia plant contain cyanogenic glycosides, making them mildly toxic if ingested by humans or pets, a characteristic they share with many other members of the Ranunculaceae family.
