Columbine

Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae). Red columbine is a perennial herb that has short-lived fibrous roots and a vertical underground stem (caudex). It is 30-80 cm (12-30 in) tall, growing from the caudex. Compound leaves are distinctly divided into obovate leaflets. The flower is downward facing, with all petals prolonged backward into a tubular spur. Sepals are petal-like and typically red. Petals are yellow and become redder at the tip of the spur. Plant growth begins in early spring. This plant blooms from March to July and sets fruit in mid to late summer (June to August). Aboveground portions of Red columbine die back to the caudex in mid to late autumn.

This hardy eastern perennial is propagated by seed.  Seed is mature and ready for collection when it turns black in the follicles.  Collected seed should be stored in seedbags at temperatures of 5^o to 6^oC (~41^oF) and can be stored up to 4 months.  A 3 to 4 week period of moist stratification at 5^oC may speed up germination time but does not increase germination rate.   

Ruby Port Columbine Distinctive in the garden or vase.

Blue Barlow Columbine Unique, beautiful violet-blue.

Columbine Collection The Columbine Collection includes 3 each of Black Barlow, Ruby Port, Blue Barlow and Nora Barlow.

Black Barlow Columbine For chic bouquets!

Giant Columbine Mixture Beautiful, bicoloured columbines withnlarge, 2-3" blooms are prefect for a sunny border, cutting garden or naturalized area.