Strange columbines...any idea what's going on?

[graygables]

I planted a beautiful purple columbine several years ago and as it has self-seeded, it's grown larger and larger, only, it's not purple anymore...all the flowers have turned white. Any idea why this would happen?

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Columbines don't always come true from seed. Many will revert back to their parent genes, which in this case seems to be white. They are usually short-lived plants, so the purple one has most likely completely died out, leaving all her white offspring to take over.

 

[Mickey Fanatic]

Do you have any other columbines nearby? i have heard that they can easily cross propegate (?) with other columbines giving you a new hybrid.