Native to parts of Europe, this lovely Columbine is just the ticket for a rock garden or anywhere else for that matter.  Aquilegia alpina grows from 10 to 15 inches, with blue/green, almost fern-like foliage, and deep blue/purple (sometimes with white) blooms.  It prefers fertile, well-drained soil in sun/partial shade.  Now, a matter about what perennial means.  Aquilegia is a perennial, but it does not live forever.  That's just not what "perennial" means.  Aquilegia is not known for its longevity, but it does reseed generously and will be around for a long, long time.  They also freely cross with other varieities, so be aware of that if you are growing many varieities of Aquilegia, and they are in close proximity.  Now that that's settled, there's one more matter to consider.  Many people have an aversion to leaf miner, which Aquilegia sometimes has - little silvery squiggly marks on the leaves.  This is not harmful to the plant, and there's no need to cut it back, dig it up, be ashamed of it, or not have it in your garden.  Just accept it.  Zones 4-8.  (Illustration from Wiki Commons and in the public  domain.)

Of all the Columbines I have ever grown or seen, and I have done my fair share of both, Aquilegia canadensis, native to the Eastern United States, is my favorite, hands down.  It seems to me that nothing can compare to the simple, natural beauty of this native Columbine.  Many years ago, while hiking in soon to be dammed woodlands,
I came across a huge stand of native Columbine, all in bloom.  I have never forgotten the sight and have tried to duplicate it, with little success, in my
own woodland garden.  Still, seeing this native wildflower blooming in spring, even if it's only one or two, never fails to delight.  Its beautiful, nodding red and pale yellow flowers sit gracefully atop wiry stems with delicate, blue-green foliage.  Not only is this native Columbine beautiful for humans to look at, but hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees don't mind it a bit either.  One cautionary note:  Do not pick the flowers (April and May here in
North Carolina); cut them so that their slender roots are not disturbed.  That goes for moving them, too - don't.   And one more  thing:  be sure to let the seeds ripen to a shiny black so you and the  birds can take turns scattering them.  You just never know where another Columbine might end up.  Sun/part shade, 10-12 inches, Zones 2-8. Quarts.

This is a smaller, pale yellow version of our native Eastern Columbine.  I first acquired one of these from the former Holbrook Farm and Nursery in Fletcher, NC, and it was always a favorite.  After many years, it disappeared, so I was on a mission to find another one or the seeds to grow my own, and I did.  This Columbine grows to 12 inches in Zones 4-8.  Quarts.

Aquilegia caerulea (Rocky Mountain Columbine) is native to the  Rocky Mountains, but I have it in my Blue Ridge Mountain garden, too, where it thrives.  The photo speaks for itself:  a lovely blue/violet with a white center and the same delicate, gray-green foliage as other Columbines.  With its calculated, refined beauty, it's hard to believe Rocky Mountain Columbine is a native wildflower and not a hybrid.  Be sure not to pick Columbine flowers;  cut them, instead, as they are shallowly rooted.  And be sure to let the seed pods ripen so the shiny black seeds scatter where they may.  I like these surprises tucked here and there every spring and, besides, has anyone ever heard of having too much Columbine?  10 to 12 inches in Sun/part shade.  Zones 3-8.  

Aquilegia chrysantha (Golden Columbine) is a Columbine, native to the Rocky Mountains, that is just too pretty to be true.  Golden Columbine, a hardy perennial, grows from two to four feet  tall and has large, golden yellow blooms atop wiry stems.  Be sure to cut the blooms of Columbine, rather than pick them, so as not to disturb the shallow roots, and let the seed  pods ripen for extras next year.  Sun/part shade and good drainage, Zones 4-8. Quarts.

Just a little something for the rock garden - a diminutive, creamy white Columbine.  It's just the ticket to add a focal point just where you need it. This dwarf Columbine grows from 6-12 inches high in Zones 3-8.  I haven't tried  it yet, but it is said to freely reseed, and that's one of the things I like best about Aquilegia.  Sun/part shade.  Zones 4-9.  Quarts.

The photograph of Aquilegia oxysepala (Columbine), native to Russia, China,
Korea, and Japan, says it all.  This deep red/purple and soft yellow corolla is one of the first species to bloom and will sometimes re-bloom later in summer.  Aquilegia oxysepala grows from 2 to 3 feet tall and does best in moist soil and bright open shade with some direct sun.  Zones 4-9. Quarts.

No photo until spring, but this video on You Tube will tell you all you need to know.  Watch closely.  This brilliant blue Columbine with a white corolla grows to about one foot in light shade/full sun.  And, since it is native to Siberia, you know it is cold hardy.  Well-drained, enriched soil in Zones 3 to 9.   (Painting by Albrecht Durer and in the public domain, Wiki Commons)

I grow a lot of different Columbines and collect seeds only from the ones I like the most.  I have some beautiful blues and varying shades of purples, pinks, and violets that I think anyone  would be proud to have in a garden.  It's nearly impossible to keep all of these colors separated, and often the colors cross with other colors, and I get seeds for something totally unexpected that will not  be recognized until the flowers bloom for the first time.  This means  that you will see these before I do, which makes me just a tad jealous.  These variously colored Aquilegia vulgaris (Columbine) perennials will be my choice, but I will offer the nicest sized plants  available.  Two to three feet tall, in partial shade, Zones 3-8.  This price is for three, mixed colors, my choice.