Columbine Flower or Rocky Mountain Columbine-White and Lavender (Aquilegia caerules) is the official Colorado State Flower. Columbine flower is a spring-blooming flower. The Columbine flower (Colorado Blue Columbine) was designated as the Colorado state flower in April, 1899. The Columbine Flower, also known as the Colorado Columbine, was named from a Latin word Columba, which means dove, as it looked like the bird of peace.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Ranunculales

Family

Ranunculaceae

Genus

Aquilegia

Columbine flowers grow from Nova Scotia to the Northwest territories and continue South into areas of Florida and Texas. Several species of Columbine flowers are grown in gardens for ornamental and landscaping purposes. Aquilegia vulgaris – a European Columbine is a traditional garden flower in British Isles, and several of the species that are native to North America are popular garden plants. Columbine flowers are known for their distinctive bell-shaped flowers, with each petal modified into an elongated nectar spur, and are very fragrant.

In 1925, the General Assembly prohibited the destruction of this rare species – Columbine flowers. Columbine flowers are very variable in color, from pale blue (as in the species name caerulea) to white, pale yellow and pinkish. Very commonly the Columbine flowers are bicolored, with the sepals a different shade to the petals. The Columbine flower is the most honored state flower in all of the United States. The Columbine flower transforms into a fruit with in five erect follicles and shiny black seeds.

Columbine plants are popular for their distinctly unique Columbine flowers, which range in a variety of colors and spur lengths. The Columbine flowers are nodding at the tips with spurs that point upwards, and numerous yellow stamens project downward, well past the petals and sepals. The unique Columbine flower shape makes the plant well suited for attracting long-tongued nectar feeders, especially hawk moths and hummingbirds, while at the same time preventing small bees from reaching the nectar directly. Because of the hummingbird’s slender bill and long tongue, the petite bird is able to reach the Columbine flower nectar from the base of the spur, ultimately acting as the Columbine Flower’s most efficient pollinator.

Facts About Columbine Flowers

• Columbine plants grow from long carrot-like taproots, which aid in making them drought tolerant, and also caus the plant to be more difficult to move once established.
• The Columbine plant grows best in light shade but will tolerate full sun if daytime temperatures are not too hot.
• Columbine plants grow best in enriched garden soils that are well drained, avoiding heavy, slow draining clay soils. Columbine likes evenly moist soil.Columbine plants grow best in enriched garden soils that are well drained, avoiding heavy, slow draining clay soils. Columbine likes evenly moist soil.
• Columbine is grown easily from seed and typically blooms in the months of April thru July .
• Numerous other species and hybrids exist and range in a variety of climatic zones, colors, and heights.
• Columbines thrive in full sun or partial shade with rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils.
• If grown in full sun, Columbine Flowers generally bloom more extensively and are more compact in growth than those grown in shade.
• Columbine flowers have a rich history in the herbal market. Native Americans were said to have used infusions from different parts of the plant for a variety of diseases ranging from heart problems to fever, and even to help relieve the pain of poison ivy.
• Columbine species cross pollinate easily, ultimately producing a variety of different hybrids.
• Similar in origin to Aquilegia canadensis (wild columbine), Aquilegia chrysantha (golden columbine) originated in southwest North America and is known for its large golden flowers and tall stems, reaching 3-4 feet tall.
• Aquilegia vulgaris, or Granny’s bonnet, is typically 1-3 feet tall with short-spurred, purplish blue flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer.
• One common problem often seen among Columbine Flowers species is the presence of leaf miners, which produce unsightly, pale green lines on the leaves.
• Columbine flower’ plants are used as food plants by some Lepidoptera species.

Columbine Flower varieties

There are five varieties:

• Aquilegia caerulea var. alpina
• Aquilegia caerulea var. caerulea
• Aquilegia caerulea var. daileyae
• Aquilegia caerulea var. ochroleuca
• Aquilegia caerulea var. pinetorum

There are many online florists who deliver flowers to colorado. You can send flowers, plants of your choice to your loved ones living in colorado or from colorado to other locations across the United States of America through these popular colorado Online Florists.

Facts about Colorado

• Colorado is also called the Centennial State, because it became the 38th state when the U.S. turned 100 in 1876.
• Nicknames of Colorado also include Colorful Colorado.
• The capital city of Colorado is Denver.
• Colorado attained statehood on August 1, 1876.
• Colorado’s total Area is 104100 sq.mi.
• Colorado state Bird is Lark Bunting.
• Colorado’s border states are Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming.
• Cattle, wheat, dairy products, corn, hay are the main agrarian occupations of Colorado.
• The first European to enter the region was probably the Spanish conquistador Francisco Vsquez de Coronado in the 16th century.
• The highest point in Colorado is Mt. Elbert; 14,433 feet.
• The lowest point in Colorado is Arikaree River; 3315 feet.
• Largest Cities of Colorado are Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Lakewood, Fort Collins, Arvada, Pueblo, Westminster, Boulder, Thornton
• Colorado’s motto is Nil sine Numine, Nothing without Providence.
• Colorado’s name has been taken from the Spanish word for the color redand was applied to the Colorado river.
• Population of Colorado is approximately 4,301,261; 24th, 12/00
• Colorado has the highest mean altitude of all the US states.
• The Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel between Clear Creek & Summit County is the highest auto tunnel in the world.
• There are 11 national forests within the state of Colorado and 38 state parks and recreation areas.
• Colorado is known for its vast cattle ranges, agricultural acreage, and snow-covered mountains that are ideal for winter sports.
• Major industries include, agriculture (wheat, cattle, sheep), tourism (especially skiers), mining (gold, silver), oil, finance, and manufacturing .
• Dinosaur Fossils are found in Colorado.
• Colorado is the only state in history to turn down the Olympics.
• Colorado has more microbreweries per capita than any other state.
• Adams State College, Colorado College, Colorado State University, Colorado Technical University, University of Colorado at Denver, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, University of Southern Colorado, Western State College in Colorado are some of the well known colleges.
• Colorado’s places of interest include, Canon City, Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek etc.