I now have responsibility for several gardens at our condo association. I am trying to identify a few plants that were planted by my predecessor. This plant had a plant sticker saying it was a "blue columbine". Obviously it is not blue but is pink and white. The leaves look like a columbine but there are none of the "spurs" that I am used to seeing on a columbine. It is about 2 feet tall. I will try to get a close up of the flowers to help. Any idea what it is? ( photo / image / picture from Karen B's Garden )
It is difficult to tell exactly seeing them from a distance. Could you post one of the flowers close-up? Whatever they are, they are pretty.
Here are two photos. Sorry they are not clearer. There was a breeze when I was taking the photos. The flowers are about 1 - 2 inches in diameter. ( photo / image / picture from Karen B's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Karen B's Garden )
I can't see the detail on the flowers clearly but it could be a Aquilegia vulgaris 'Winky Red and White Double' which is a species of the European Columbine. There is also a double-flowered hybrid that it could be. Edited to add....oh, yeah, that looks like one of the Winky series. They come in red/white, blue/white and purple/white.
Thanks folks. Lori was known for finding different plants. And while she tried to put names to some of them, the names are not always correct (bloody dock was labeled as duck blood). Some are not labeled at all. And some of her "paint stick" plant labels have rotted away. Some are not even appropriate for our Zone 4 conditions. So I have a challenging year ahead of me.
Your right Eileen, it could be the Nora Barlow. That is the same Genus and Species as the Winky series, different cultivar. Man, when growers start playing around making new plants it sure gets confusing.
Yes, KB--I can see it now, thanks. It certinaly does look like the Nora Barlow. Photographing Aquilegias here in Holland can be difficult at the best of times, so I know what you mean when you say that they were swaying in the wind and wouldn't be still. Well, it seems as if you have gotten good answers. Thanks for posting, it's always nice to see some flowers.
Thanks everyone. Definitely the Nora Barlow. Here is a close-up from this morning. This really is a beautiful flower. Just wondering what other surprises I will find in our condo gardens. ( photo / image / picture from Karen B's Garden )
Nora Barlow is one of my favourite columbines. I let her go to seed, and the result was amazing. I got more of her, and also got some all blue and pink ones with the same flower head only larger.
Thanks, I will definitely let some of the flowers go to seed. Did the blue ones come from the same plant? I am intrigued by this plant which is new to me.
I've got other columbines near by, and they cross pollinate, which makes seeding so exciting. You never know what you're going to get.
Exciting to see a "new to me" columbine. Darn, I'm going to have to go out today and see if it is hanging around a nursery...
