Columbine
Columbine: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Columbines belong to the genus Aquilegia in the buttercup family. These herbaceous perennials occur in temperate parts of the northern hemisphere, while gardens contain different species and numerous hybrids. They share a light leafy outline topped by flowers with an often distinctive structure. Size, spur shape and colour differ between types, making the genus more varied than a single image of a hanging bell.The foliage first forms a clump close to the ground. Compound leaves divide into groups of leaflets with rounded lobes, creating a soft, cut texture. Slender branching stems then rise above this cushion. Depending on species and cultivar, the plant may remain compact or reach several tens of centimetres, sometimes approaching a metre. The open space between stems contributes as much to its airy effect as the delicate flowers themselves.Flowering usually falls in spring and early summer. Many columbines have nodding flowers, while others hold them more…
