Sweet columbine, friend of mine

From March through May, I enjoy seeing columbines pop up throughout my garden. I planted quite a few of them, but many are volunteers of the hybrid sort. One of the fascinating things about this enchanting wildflower is its propensity to cross-pollinate and produce surprising new variants. Native reds, if cross-pollinated with another color, may produce young with peach or pink or rose blooms, for instance. This week I happened upon a brand new dark red (photo below) in my front garden, this year's surprise columbine.

No matter what the color or shape of its bloom, though, I am an admirer of most any of the lovely columbines that dance on spring breezes. Surely this magical wildflower summons any fairy spirits who may roam nearby, as well as the spirit of faerie that dwells within each of us.

Above, a surprising new red hybrid of unknown parentage