AQUILEGIA An indispensable but sexually promiscuous genus, (only wild collected material is likely to be pure), with ample material for rock gardens and perennial borders alike, the various species will cross and seed, persisting forever in the garden despite being individually rather short lived. Unfortunately unless some new genetic material is introduced on a regular basis they tend to degrade into ugly mongrel looking things fit more for leaf miners and sawflies than anything else, and rest assured if you grow columbines you are virtually certain to have one or both of these nuisances. A problem easily controlled with Marathon or other systemic insecticide applied prior to their appearance. Alternatively, you can do nothing, because even if plants are defoliated they quickly grow new leaves and are seldom killed. Don't let the bugs dissuade you, if you grow a diverse selection and frequently introduce new blood you will be amply rewarded with a fantastic floral display.