Photo © 2005 Jim Jung and licensors. All rights reserved.

Columbines

While North America is not noted for the number of wildflowers taken into cultivation by gardeners worldwide our Columbines are the exception. These graceful, delicate and extremely beautiful wildflowers can be found on and around rocky outcrops throughout our region and are perennial favorites for shady rock gardens.

Unlike most of our other wildflowers this species was never used medicinally - at least not in the western sense of medicine. However Indian tribes in our area did use the seeds as a love charm. The seeds were ground to a powder and then liberally applied to one's hands. If the person so adorned could manage to shake hands with their potential beloved their hearts would be theirs forever.

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