Columbines

Ken Anderson

Ken Anderson

Greeter
Staff member
No, this isn't about school shooters. Beginning about ten years ago, after I cleared the slope from the railroad bed to my backyard, I placed a bunch of old branches and some small logs to create a primitive form of terracing, or at least to reduce erosion, and then spread a bunch of mixed flower seeds, with a focus on perennials. Not seeing much in the way of results, I spread more perennial flower seeds every now and then. Other than a few of the larger species of lupines and a few other flower plants that may have been weeds, and not anything that came with the seed packets, I didn't see much from it. A few years ago, I distributed pretty much every type of lupine seed I could find, given that the lupines grow wild throughout Maine, but only the giant varieties of lupines flowered, and only a few of them. Other lupines come up each spring, but without flowering.

In another spot, nearby but not on the slope up to the railroad bed, I planted columbines last spring. They grew but remained very tiny and didn't flower, which I had anticipated because they don't usually flower in their first year. Well, this year these columbines have grown much larger than they did last year, but still haven't flowered. However, I am seeing flowering columbines all along the slope going up to the railroad bed, obviously from the mixed wildflower packets that I had distributed over the past ten years. I didn't even notice the plants last year, but, when small, the columbine plants look a bit like clover unless you look closely, so I probably just overlooked them. Since little else was growing on that incline, I wasn't concerned about clover.

So, the columbines are blooming all along that incline and in a couple of other smaller flower gardens in my backyard.
 
Ken, I've been meaning to ask you how the terracing has gone. If I remember correctly, you added mulch to the branches and twigs to build up the soil. How has that worked? What does a columbine bloom look like? I don't think I've ever seen them here.
 
You guyzzz are in luck! Notice I didn't use y'all since the Columbine is my Colorado State birth flower. I grew up seeing thousands of acres in the mountains, covered with them. I have always had some growing in my wild flower beds. This year, they bloomed, didn't last long, and were pitiful looking at their best. Feeling lazy this morning, so some copy and paste.

  1. Official Adoption: The Columbine was officially adopted as Colorado’s state flower in 1899, thanks to the lobbying efforts of the Colorado chapter of the Federation of Women’s Clubs.
  2. Latin Name: The scientific name for the Columbine is Aquilegia caerulea, which translates to “blue eagle” in Latin, referring to the flower’s unique shape resembling an eagle’s talons.
  3. Native Range: The Columbine is native to the Rocky Mountains, thriving in the high-altitude regions of Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico.
  4. Varied Colors: While the blue and white combination is most commonly associated with the Colorado state flower, Columbines can also be found in shades of red, yellow, and pink.
  5. Pollinator Magnet: The Columbine’s nectar-rich spurs attract a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds, butterflies, and long-tongued bees, making it a vital component of Colorado’s ecosystem.
  6. Symbolism: The Columbine represents the rugged beauty and perseverance of the Colorado spirit, as it thrives in the state’s challenging high-altitude environments.
  7. Protected Status: It is illegal to pick or uproot the Colorado state flower on public lands, ensuring the preservation of this delicate species for future generations to enjoy.
  8. Medicinal Uses: Native Americans historically used Columbine roots and seeds for various medicinal purposes, including treating heart problems, respiratory issues, and fever.
  9. Garden Favorite: The Columbine is a popular choice for gardens, as it is relatively easy to grow and adds a splash of color to any landscape. However, it’s essential to source seeds or plants from reputable nurseries to avoid harming wild populations.
  10. Adaptation: The Columbine has adapted to the harsh high-altitude conditions of the Rocky Mountains by developing a deep taproot system, allowing it to access moisture and nutrients in rocky soil.
  11. Cultural Significance: The Columbine has been featured in numerous works of art, literature, and music, cementing its place as a cultural icon of Colorado.
Colorado-State-Flower-3705672794.jpg
 
columbineflower.jpeg

These are some of mine; it's a hot day today, so they are wilting somewhat. The were prettier yesterday.

columbineflower2.jpg

This is what they can look like. They come in other colors as well, or at least I have seen red ones.


columbineleaves.jpeg

This is what the plants look like when they are young. These are from the second season; in the first, they were much smaller, and I'd have thought they were clovers if I hadn't known that I had planted columbines there.
 
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