ellen 
Columbine has a light, airy flower shaped like a comet or a star burst. Such a whimsical nature is fitting for this short lived woodland perennial (Because it is short lived, it is often classified as a biennial). I can just imagine little gnomes and squirrels dancing around them. Hardy to zone 3 and adaptable, columbine will grow in part shade and full sun. It self seeds readily and is drought tolerant, making it great for naturalizing. I started with just one plant and a few seeds; and now, I have columbine ranging in colors from yellow to pink to deep maroon. Some have taken on a double petal, very interesting. You will find columbine blooming in late spring/early summer in colors ranging from white to yellow to blue. Every year, it is a surprise to see what color the new plants’ blooms will be. 
