How can a change in my husband’s work schedule throw me off? I have no idea what day it is- I thought yesterday was Tuesday, and that I was going to do a final check/edit on this post and be posting it right on time. Oops! Happy Wildflower Wednesday, coming to you on Thursday 🙂 Have a great day!
Do you have a flower that reminds you of someone every time you see it? When I worked landscaping I had a boss that really liked Columbine flowers and had many planted at his house. Now, every time I see them, I think of Bruce. He was one of those bosses that always wanted to teach, respected his employees, and became like a third grandpa to me and many others. June’s Wildflower Wednesday is Columbine, in memory of a great boss, and friend, Bruce!
- Scientific Name: Aquilegia —> There are 60-70 species of Columbine within the genus.
- Grows: low-elevation meadows, woodlands, near streams, and even at higher elevations
- Blooming Time: Late spring to early summer
- Bloom Colors: Reds, yellows, blues, purples, pinks, and various shades of all of those colors
- Height & Width: varies by location of growth, and temperature. Generally, grow in smaller scattered clumps rather than large patches. Often 1-3’ tall.
It is such a fun flower! There are spurred petals on the flowers that look like a crown. Sometimes this crown is facing upright as the rest of the flower is nodding. Sometimes the crown is pointing downward, while the rest of the flower is facing the sky. Some varieties have short, stocky spurs, while others are long, narrow, and flowing. These flowers bloom on a long stem above sparse foliage.
Rocky Mountain Columbine (illustrated above) supposedly has a sweet smell, while others lack scent. It can be found in the books 123 Rocky Mountain, and Here to There Rocky Mountain. The columbine flower is the state flower of Colorado.
When visiting the Umpqua National Forest in Oregon a few years ago, I found the Columbine pictured below. They were near Diamond Lake. –>Side note- that is a really fun lake to bike around if you are in the area. Highly suggest adding it as a side trip if you are planning to visit Crater Lake National Park!
and boast one brilliant bloom per stem
Fun fact: Red Columbines are often visited by hummingbirds; while other colors are more likely to be visited by bees, moths, and other pollinators.
Columbine can also be found in the Baby Ranger Books: Exploring Colors Great Smoky Mountains, 123 Grand Canyon, and Yosemite 123!
As always- go on an adventure, no matter what day it is, and see if you can find any Columbine growing in the wild! Tag me in pictures with your findings!
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