Gardening by Cathy

When I saw the native Columbine at the local Garden Extravaganza, I fell in love with her. Her flowers looked like red sunbonnets with bright yellow faces peeking out. Memories came flooding back about the times I walked down the forest paths as a child and came upon her. Of course there were many of her, but all just as beautiful. Each flower is a tad bit different, some in perfect symmetry and others more elongated or square.

The Columbine pictured here from my garden is the native one that has rich crimson and gold hues. It is known by different common names-’grandmothers bonnet’ is one of them.

The columbine plant does not grow very tall, average is 12-18 inches, but its deep, rich colors make up for its height. It can brighten a green spot in your garden grandly. As having a delicate nature, it does need some partial shade and somewhat richer soils.

However, don’t bother to protect it over the winter, as it will disappear long before that and pop up in the spring without further
ado.

Look for a rainbow of colors coming in Part 2.

Popularity: 14% [?]