Columbine Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Columbine

flower and fruit of Aquilegia vulgaris (type species)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Ranunculales
Family:	Ranunculaceae
Subfamily:	Thalictroideae
Genus:	*Aquilegia* L.
Species
60-70, see text

Aquilegia (say "ak-wil-EE-jee-uh"), often called columbine or granny's bonnet, is a beautiful group of plants. These plants are known for their unique, colorful flowers. There are about 60 to 70 different kinds, or species, of columbine.

Columbines are perennial plants. This means they live for more than two years. They grow back year after year. You can find them in many places around the world. They like meadows, woodlands, and even high up in the mountains. They grow across the Northern Hemisphere. This includes places in North America, Europe, and Asia.

What Makes Columbine Flowers Special?
- Amazing Flower Colors
- How Columbine Gets Its Name
Where Do Columbine Plants Grow?
- Growing Columbine in Gardens
  - Caring for Your Columbine
Images for kids
See also

What Makes Columbine Flowers Special?

Columbine flowers are easy to spot. They have a very special shape. Each petal has a "spur." A spur is like a long, hollow tube. It sticks out from the back of the flower. These spurs often hold nectar. Nectar is a sweet liquid that bees and hummingbirds love to drink.

Amazing Flower Colors

Columbine flowers come in many colors. You can find them in blue, purple, pink, red, yellow, and white. Some even have two colors! The different colors help attract different pollinators. For example, red and yellow flowers often attract hummingbirds. Blue and purple ones might attract bees.

How Columbine Gets Its Name

The name Aquilegia comes from a Latin word. It means "eagle." People thought the spurs on the petals looked like an eagle's talons, or claws. The common name "columbine" also comes from Latin. It means "dove-like." This is because the flower petals can look like a cluster of doves. They seem to be gathered together.

Where Do Columbine Plants Grow?

Columbines are very tough plants. They can grow in many different places. They like areas with some sunlight but also some shade. You might see them growing wild in forests. They also grow in open fields. Some types even grow high up in rocky mountain areas.

Growing Columbine in Gardens

Many people like to grow columbine in their gardens. They are popular because they are pretty. They are also easy to care for. Gardeners often plant them in flower beds. They can also be grown in rock gardens. They add a touch of wild beauty to any garden.

Caring for Your Columbine

If you want to grow columbine, here are some tips:

They like soil that drains well. This means the water doesn't sit around the roots.
They prefer a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade.
They don't need a lot of water once they are grown.
You can plant them from seeds or small plants.