Aquilegia, Columbine

Columbine, Granny's bonnet or Jester's Caps: is known for  bell-shaped flowers that bloom from mid-spring to early summer.  They have spurs and showy stamens. 

My Mother has grown  these graceful  flowers in her perennial garden for as long and I can remember.  I have a few in my garden also. Columbines come in many colors. They can have red, yellow, white, blue, pink or purple blossoms. And some are even bicolored. 

Columbine grows best in partial shade. They  reach close to 2 feet when in full bloom with a spread of 12 -18 inches. And they generally bloom here in Ohio in late spring to early summer and self-seed.  

Columbines are rated at hardiness zone 3 in the USA and do well in well drained soil so there is no need to mulch. 

In addition to their beautiful flower and foliage, they will draw bees and hummingbirds to the garden.

 Columbine is generally deer resistant too and are found in many woodlands.

Happy gardening, Lori