Whenever we have family and friends for dinner, I take a few moments, walk through our garden and look for “flowers” for a few vases. Quite often, I use shoots of umbrella sedge to fill a set of 3 skinny vases. There is always a rose by the kitchen sink. I needed something for a side table the other day. Previously I had used a small stem of hellebores. I was impressed with how long it lasted. This time I tried columbine. It is a real winner - not only as a cut flower, but also as a garden plant.
There is no grass in our very shady front yard. We rely upon drought-tolerant plants that take care of themselves. Several years ago, I planted two or three Aquilegia hinckleyana “Texas Gold” columbines. Over time, there are now probably a dozen or more, standing about 18 to 24 inches tall. I love the lacy-looking bluish-green foliage. The butter yellow, long-spurred blooms last at least six weeks each spring. They even have a slightly, sweet fragrance.
No wonder we list this as one of our top ten plants for the shade…
Responses to “Columbine”
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
We also love the yellow Texas gold columbines. They’re among the brightest spots in our shady garden during April, never have pests or diseases, and come back year after year. They do need good drainage (we plant them in pots), but little or no other care.
April 18th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Enjoyed all of your blogs. They have inspired me to slow down and pay attention to what I am doing w/my gardens/landscape. Thank you.