Columbine In My Garden

Good morning my friends
I can't get enough of the colors of the garden this time of year. Every time I go outside there is something in bloom saying "take a picture of me". So this is what I took shots of today.
We live in a very basic 1960's brick ranch. But it has a nice front porch which makes it look inviting. Right now the dogwood out front is in full bloom and the Japanese maple is in full leaf. I mentioned in an older post that I wanted to name our home Rest and Be Thankful and when I drive up the driveway that's how I feel. I just want to rest and be thankful. One of these days I hope to make a sign.We have huge banks of azaleas which are so beatiful especially against the green of the woods behind.
And the dogwood in the woods are beautiful too.
This is the garden by our side door where we usually come in. Right now it is filled with Columbine. I just let them go to seed every year so there are always lots of them. I love the variety of colors they produce and the delicateness of the flowers. That is a magnolia tree against the wall which a previous owner espaliered against the wall and there are knockout roses against the brick also.

Some close ups of the columbine. I love them!

This is the native columbine "aquilegia canadensis. It can sometimes be found growing wild.


Here is a little information on the columbine which I thought was interesting. I always wonder where the name came from.

The generic name of Aquilegia is derived from the Latin aquila (an eagle), the spurs of the flowers being considered to resemble an eagle's talons. The popular name, Columbine, is from the Latin columba (a dove or pigeon), from the idea that the flowers resemble a flight of these birds. .
The Columbine is a favourite old-fashioned garden-flower, being mentioned by Tusser (1580) among a list of flowers suitable 'for windows and pots', Parkinson, in 1629, speaks of the many varieties grown in gardens.

Hope you enjoyed the photos and that spring has arrived in your part of the world. ( I guess it's fall for the bloggers in Australia.)

Rhondi xo