Characteristics:

• Height: This delicate, yet hardy perennial ranges in size from as small as six inches to four feet; however, the average height ranges from one and a half to three feet.
• Flowers: Columbine are distinguished from most other genera by their unique spur-like petals, ranging from over four inches long to virtually non-existent spurs. With various colors and lengths, the flowers nod at the tips with spurs pointing upwards, and numerous yellow stamens projecting downward, well past the petals and sepals.
• Roots: With long carrot-like taproots, Aquilegia is drought tolerant, which also causes the plant to be more difficult to transplant once established.

A Crafty Pollinator

The plant's unique flower shape makes it well suited for attracting long-tongued nectar-feeders, especially hawk moths and hummingbirds, the columbine's most efficient pollinator. Because most bees and many other insects are too large to gain access to the nectar by crawling into the spurs, they've adapted other measures to adequately reach the juice. The insects pinch the tip and collect the nectar without indirectly stealing the pollen.

Rooted in History

Aquilegia also carries with it a rich history in the herbal trade. Native Americans used infusions from different parts of the plant for a variety of diseases, ranging from heart problems to fever, and to help relieve the pain of poison-ivy. The juice from a fresh columbine plant was also given to many people suffering from jaundice in attempts to reduce the size of a swollen liver, while the leaves and flowers were used to cure measles and small pox. Even if it may not have directly cured these ailments, Aquilegia contains the soothing effect of prusisic acid.

A Diverse Species

Aquilegia cross-pollinate easily among one another, producing a variety of different hybrids throughout the garden. Some species include: Wild Columbine (Aquilegia Canadensis) - has spurs held straight back, with deeply nodding flowers. This native species reaches up to two feet in height and has bright red flowers and reddish-tinted, raggedy foliage.

• Alpine Columbine (A. alpine) - originates in Europe and possesses hooked spurs, similar to that of a fishhook. The long bloom time and ease of growing makes alpine columbine one of the more popular species, and has large, violet blue flowers which bloom at the end of April.
• Golden Columbine (A. chrysantha) - originated in south-west North America and is known for its large golden flowers and tall stems, reaching three-to-four feet tall. As with many similar yellow-flowering perennials, if planting in clumps, golden columbine accents stunningly with blue under-plantings.
• Granny's Bonnet (A. vulgaris) - is the parent to many other species due to its ease in hybridizing. This plant reaches one-to-three feet tall, with short-spurred, purplish blue flowers appearing in late spring and early summer.

Cultivation

Once established, Aquilegia is relatively hardy and easy to care for. Follow these simple guidelines and soon you should have a thriving collection of columbine:

• Sun - Columbine bloom more extensively and are more compact if grown in full sun, however partial shade is also tolerated. Afternoon shade should be provided in hot climates.
• Soil - Plant in rich, evenly moist and well-drained soil.
• Flower Management - Pinching off the spent flowers prolongs the bloom time and reduces the chances of self-sowing. Columbines are not long-lived plants, averaging two to four years before death, however they re-seed with abundance.
• Insect Management - One problem often seen is leaf miners, which produce unsightly, pale green lines on the leaves. If signs of leaf miners appear, simply cut back the foliage in midsummer and new leaves will sprout with the onset of cool temperatures.

Designing with Columbine

Columbine come in a multitude of colors, sizes and varieties, making them a prime candidate for gardens of all styles. With so many different varieties to choose from, try mixing several varieties together for an extended bloom time and diverse color. Columbine also pair well against the subtle backdrop of ferns and evergreen grasses (bearing in mind similar light requirements), or complemented with sun-loving coreopsis, solomon's seal (Polygonatum sp.), or Virginia bluebells (Mertensia pulmonarioides). Regardless of the pairing you choose, columbine's cheery flowers are sure to brighten any garden.

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Fred Swope. 1987.
Fall Wildflowers of the
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Rook, Earl J.S. (2004).
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http://www.rook.org/
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Courtney Capstack is a trained horticulturist from Virginia Tech. Courtney has worked at the Chicago Botanic Garden and as a volunteer at the Hahn Horticulture Garden. Courtney currently works at the American Horticultural Society in Alexandria, Virginia.

Wind Sculptures
If you would prefer a more free-form statue, kinetic wind sculptures may be the perfect fit. These whimsical sculptures add intrigue to your garden as they rotate with the breeze alongside your plants.
· Seascaping: Bring a touch of the ocean into your garden with the Circle Fish and Wind in My Sails sculptures. Both are made with a combination of copper, brass, and glass, and strategically sit atop five foot poles.
· Circling the Wind: Built to move with the wind, the Helix or StrataSphere kinetic wind sculptures add a direct focal point to your garden as intertwining copper bands encircle each other with the slightest breeze. The Helix has two independent revolving bands, while the StataSphere revolves with five separate circular bands, creating an effect of gyroscopic movements atop a resin pedestal.

While they may not be the perfect fit for every landscape, garden stakes and wind sculptures are fun and time efficient ways to add whimsy, artistry, and a personal touch to your garden.