Wednesday, May 9, 2012

On the Wild Side. National Photo Month, Day 9


Columbine might be my favorite flower. Maybe because the Colorado state flower was my mother's favorite.

Most of the columbine in my garden is heirloom--they've descended from my mom's collection. Each year, she let some of her favorites go to seed, which she then collected and shared with me.

Over the years, I randomly scattered Mom's columbine seeds over my own garden beds. Today, these mystical-looking members of the buttercup family add a wild sense to my gardens.









Just as my mom did, I let many of my columbine go to seed each year and shake  their pointy dried heads over  my gardens to sow next year's crop. It's such a treat to see what comes up--and where--in the new season.

When my parents retired and moved from the Midwest to Arizona 15 years ago, I was so grateful that Mom had provided me a legacy from her columbine collection. Now that she's passed on, that legacy is even more precious.

Make it a great day!

10 comments:

  1. Beautiful. Would you consider selling some seed?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love columbine, they have such and interesting shape. The dark purple and pink are my favorite. I'm enjoying your daily picture post! Thanks for stopping by, Laura

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is one of my favourites too, partly for its beauty and partly because it shares the root of its name with my son, Malcolm. I have a week garden with columbine and lilies - one flower for each of my children.
    This is such a sweet floral tribute to your mother.

    ReplyDelete
  4. All so lovely! The next to last is my favorite! Great to have your love in common with your mother:):)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful! The columbine is one of my favorite flowers also. What wonderful memories you hold...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh what lovely photos! I remember seeing columbine when I worked in Colorado during summer break my sophomore year in college. I've never seen it in any nurseries here in OH. Glad you came by- I have been so neglectful of my blogging friends- visits to them have been few and far between. :-) Sue

    ReplyDelete
  7. O too love columbines and keep cutting off the seed pods so they will keep blooming. Your garden is lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Columbine ~ one of my all time cottage favorites! They flower shape is always so amazing to look at to me...the details are exquisite! thank you for sharing over at Fishtail Cottage's garden party! xoxo, tracie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gorgeous photos! I'm really enjoying your tribute to National Photo Month.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, Ann. I'm with you, I think columbines might be my favorites too. I found them many years ago, and my mother, grandmother, and I have split them and shared them. They do provide a beautiful legacy. I've now started giving them to our DIL too. I so enjoyed this post. Your collection is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing them. ~Zuni

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.