How to Plant Columbine Seeds

While not required, Columbine seeds can benefit from a special 4 week treatment called cold moist stratification prior to planting them.

After stratification, remove the seeds, and place them outdoors in a sunny location or under grow lights and allow them to germinate (21 to 28 days). If sowing outdoors: In the early spring (3 to 4 weeks before the last frost), sow your columbine seeds on top of lightly raked soil. They do not need to be covered. Your columbine seeds will germinate in around 21 days. If starting indoors, plant columbine seeds 6 weeks before the average last spring frost. Columbines are perennials that are hardy to zones 3 to 8 or 9, depending on variety.

How to Care for Columbine

When flowers begin to fade, dead head to allow for fresh blooms. When the season is over, cut down to the ground.

* Sowing Rate: 3 - 4 seeds per plant

* Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days

* Keep moist until germination

* Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

* Depth: Do not cover, but press into soil