What is this flower?

11 years ago

I thought it was a weed that was over growing my sweet william but it bloomed into a really beautiful flower and i really would like to know what it is! It almost looks like a daffodil on fire :D (if the picture is sideways, click on it and it should make it right side up)
Thank you!

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Comments (6)

agardenstateof_mind
11 years ago
It is a columbine, aquilegia canadensis. A nice native plant (to the eastern states at least). These will grow in full sun to part shade and tolerate dry soil, but will do best with a little afternoon shade and a well-drained moist soil rich in organic matter (as you would find on a forest floor). Perfect for a spot that gets dappled shade. These will readily self-sow if you don't remove the spent flowers and allow the seed heads to mature. You can collect them and plant them where you wish or trade for other seeds.

I've found that as long as you keep removing the spent flowers, they will keep blooming; however, at a certain point it just seems it is past their time to bloom .... time to allow them to go to seed.
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rafia
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you!! Its such a beautiful flower! Thanks for all the background knowledge too.
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flora_uk
11 years ago
Although this is an Aquilegia I do not think it is A canadensis. Judging by the coloration, the height, the reflexed petals and the long spurs it looks more like one of the ordinary garden varieties of Aquilegia such as McKana hybrids. Compare images of A canadensis with your plant and I think you will see the differences.

Here is a link that might be useful: Aquilegia canadensis
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fatamorgana2121
11 years ago
I agree - not A. canadensis. I have these and the flowers are more petite and downward facing as the picture from my gardens shows. But still, even hybrid garden varieties of columbine are wonderful plants for your gardens.

FataMorgana
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xiangirl zone 4/5 Nebraska
11 years ago
It's the Colorado State Flower. Fun to save seeds from the pods, too.
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mosswitch
11 years ago
Columbines have a unique way of dispensing seed. The wild kinds and many others have downward facing flowers, but as the flowers fade, they turn so that as they make their seed pod, it is facing upward. When it ripens, the pod pops open and seeds fly out everywhere.

Sandy
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