Aquilegia caerulia - Columbine

Columbine plants, with their controlled habit and ability to self-seed, work wonderfully along herbaceous borders and as the centerpiece of a perennial container garden. The long-spurred, bright red and white flowers, in addition to looking beautiful on the plant, fit neatly in an arranged vase, lasting up to two weeks after being cut. These flowers stand out against the delicate, lacy foliage. Though the plant can be a bit fussy with its soil preferences, requiring a loose and well-drained soil to thrive, they will come back again and again in proper conditions. It draws a plethora of pollinators to the garden, but keeps away rabbits and horses, making it wonderful to plant alongside other showy flowers like peonies, irises, and alliums. As for maintenance, faded flowers should be removed to promote additional bloom, and the entire plant can be cut to the ground during the fall when foliage is minimal.