ATDTDA (17): blue columbines (480.33)

[Tim Strzechowski]

[...] "And then later on," the girl's eyes as wide open as blue columbines in July, "somebody came in, said they really was a fire over there" (p. 480).


Description: perennial, 24-36 inches tall; all leaves basal; bell-shaped. Columbine flowers are up to 3 inches wide, with long spurs (Blue Columbine mostly blue / single type). Blooms in zone 5 from May to mid-June. 
 
http://www.wildflowermix.com/info/180+common/columbine-blue.html
 
 
Our Colorado state flower is the blue columbine. It has such a lovely form.
 
http://imagesofcolorado.smugmug.com/gallery/1256497#18818561
 
 
The Colorado blue columbine (Aquilegia caerulea) is generally described as a Perennial Forb or herb. This Dicot (dicotyledon) is native to the U.S. (United States) and has its most active growth period in the Spring and Summer . The Colorado Blue Columbine has Green foliage and conspicuous Blue flowers, with conspicuous Brown fruits or seeds. The greatest bloom is usually observed in the Late Spring, with fruit and seed production starting in the Spring and continuing until Summer. Leaves are not retained year to year. The Colorado Blue Columbine has a Short life span relative to most other plant species and a Moderate growth rate. At maturity, the typical Colorado Blue Columbine will reach up to 2 feet high, with a maximum height at 20 years of 2 feet. [...]
 
http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/plant.asp?symbol=AQCA2