Columbines have been grown in gardens for centuries, and are among the most popular of perennials. This dwarf strain forms a low mound of ferny blue-green foliage, bearing bicolor flowers with deep plum-purple petals and a soft-yellow trumpet centre. Perfect for the rock garden, for the front edge of a border or in mixed containers and alpine troughs. Self-sown seedlings may appear in other colours. Leaf miners or sawfly may disfigure the leaves around flowering time. Simply trim off the ugly foliage and the plants will grow fresh leaves.