Aquilegia alpina - Columbine

Columbines are perennial plants that offer original flowers in a variety of colours. Their flowering, which is very delicate, is characterised by the long spurs that extend the petals. <strong>Columbines bloom in spring, in May-June, sometimes until early summer</strong> (July-August). They have beautiful finely cut foliage that is very light. <strong>The common columbine, <em>Aquilegia vulgaris</em></strong>, which can be found wild in France, <strong>bears dark blue flowers, but there are a multitude of varieties that offer a whole palette of colours</strong>: pink, white, yellow, red, purple, violet... The flowers are often bicoloured. They also take on different shapes: they can be single or double, sometimes pompom-shaped, or resembling "grandmother's bonnets". <strong>The columbine is an easy plant to grow and relatively undemanding... it is perfect for beginners!</strong> Don't be fooled by its apparent fragility: it is a resilient, hardy, robust plant. Planting takes place in autumn or spring, preferably in cool, well-draining soil, although it adapts to many situations. Alpine species will appreciate being grown in rockeries. <strong>Columbines can self-seed and naturalise in the garden</strong>, but it is also possible to collect the seeds for sowing. Finally, columbines are ideal flowers for making bouquets!