Columbine

Aquilegia 

Taurus

Compassion, Inner Wisdom

Columbine blooms in the spring or early summer and continues to bloom for the next four weeks.These perennial plants like sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Columbine can be started easily from seed and, once plants are established, they are drought tolerant. Columbine also self reproduces from flower heads that go to seed.

Columbine consists of about 70 species of plants that grow in clumps from 1 to 3 feet tall, from 1 to 2 feet wide. Flowers are bell shaped with spurs and bloom in yellow, red, orange, blue, purple, pink and white. Plants have dark green, clover-like leaves.

Plants can easily be grown from seeds and will self-seed in the garden. Columbine can withstand extreme cold in winter (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3).

The attributes of Columbine, compassion and inner wisdom, work in tandem. One must be very hardy and be able to withstand the extreme coldness in others to be compassionate. Compassion comes in as many colors as the Columbine flowers and, through example, will spread to those around you just as easily.

Some of the species of flowers have petals that are contrasting colors: purple petals that surround inner white petals, for example. This shows us the outer shell of ourselves and the aspect of inner wisdom.  This wisdom can apply itself in different ways. Some people drawn to Columbine will know their strengths and weaknesses as their own inner wisdom. Others can also use their inner wisdom to know the base motives of others, rather like an internal radar that can see through how someone presents themselves to their true inner self. This aspect is very useful when determining if another person is acting from a compassionate perspective or whether they are motivated by money or personal power.  

Columbine is also called European Crowfoot,Granny's Bonnet and Jester's Cap. Different varieties of Columbine are native to Asia, Europe and North America.

The leaves and stems are used to make medicines that have been used for general stomach and intestinal issues.Through history, Columbine has also been used for other medicinal purposes. Columbine flowers are edible. The seeds and roots are toxic to people and horses.

Columbine flowers are known for attracting hummingbirds.They also attract butterflies.The plants are resistant to deer and rabbits.

The Latin name for Columbine, Aquilegia, is from aquila, the Latin word for eagle.The name was assigned due to the long spurs that grow beyond the flower petals that resemble the five claws of an eagle.Those drawn to Columbine may also want to explore the attributes of the eagle whose ability to soar can be combined with the attributes of compassion and inner wisdom.The number five also brings an emphasis on enhanced well-being. 

The Latin root of the name columbine, columba, means dove. Rocky Mountain Columbine has violet petals and a white cup. It is the state flower of Colorado.