If I told you that you could grow a plant named both after an eagle as well as a dove, would you be interested?

I would hope so because it is an easily grown perennial that will self-sow and delight you for years by popping up here and there throughout the garden. Aquilegia is the name of this delightful plant – aquilegia comes from the Latin word aquila meaning ‘eagle’ and if you look at the individual petals, you can see the resemblance to an eagle. Well, OK, you have to use your imagination but I can see one. Columbine is the other name for this plant and this comes to us because the upside-down flowers resemble a circle of drinking doves. . . .

reBlogged to columbine on Feb 4, 2008, 11:42AM

Posted by Doug Reblogged by Old Roses to columbine on 2008-02-06, 06:22:44

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