Columbine

Columbine brings a wild, cottage-garden lightness to the spring cutting garden — nodding spurred flowers in blue, purple, pink, red, cream, and bicolors on wiry stems that move in the slightest breeze. They are short-lived perennials, typically at their best for two or three years, but self-seed so prolifically that the colony perpetuates itself and often produces interesting natural hybrids over time.

Direct sow in autumn or early spring — the seeds benefit from a cold period. As cut flowers, they are delicate and best used in loose arrangements. Cut when the first flower on a stem is fully open. They self-seed willingly and promiscuously; if you want to maintain specific varieties, deadhead before seed sets.