Changeling

A lovely lagniappe: one of my "blue" columbines (Aquilegia caerulea) is blooming in an unexpected color this spring. The photo doesn't adequately depict the subtlety of the parchment coloring of the petals, with faint streaks of purplish-blue and green. I don't have any other columbines in my garden, so there's no logical explanation for this baby-that-looks-like-the-milkman. (Indeed, another bud from this same plant is blooming in the expected purple-blue.) It's a welcome—and needed—surprise; this smallish front bed has been mostly given over to my "any color, so long as it's blue" tendencies ('Bertram Anderson' lungwort—blue; comfrey—blue; corydalis flexuosa—blue), and this turns out to be just the thing to give the bed some rest and balance. (Now, what'll I do if it doesn't come back in this color next year?)

Comments

[Alicia]

These are beautiful. I have not gotten out in my yard to take care of the beds, and I need to. Before it gets too hot. At least everything indoors is thriving. Thanks for sharing pictures from your garden :)

[Chan S.]

Thanks for the thanks...I'll never tire of (nice) surprises in the garden.

[pinar]

I have aquilegias in my garden.. they are all blue as well. wish they make me a surprise..