The charming Columbine (Aquilegia) quickly becomes a favorite for any perennial lover. With those delicate, uniquely shaped blooms, they’re a total showstopper in the flower bed. It’s no wonder we always want more of them! Instead of running to the nursery, you can easily propagate them yourself.
Growing More Columbines
When it comes to making more of these beauties, you’ve got a few great options:
- Self-seeding (letting nature do the work)
- Strategic direct sowing
- Propagation by division
Let Nature Take the Lead: Self-Seeding
Columbines bloom in late spring through early summer (May to July) and develop tall seed heads. Inside those pods, countless tiny seeds are ripening. Once they dry out and pop open, a simple gust of wind will scatter those little black seeds all over your garden. They’ll sprout anywhere they find a bit of soil! If you don’t keep an eye on them, your garden might be a total Columbine jungle in just a few years.
Sowing Your Own Seeds
You can buy seeds or easily shake them out of ripe seed pods yourself. Just dry them out and save them until you’re ready to plant. The best time for outdoor sowing is from mid-April to late May. Here’s how to do it:
- Mix some compost into your soil.
- Mix your Columbine seeds with a little bit of sand (this helps with even distribution).
- Scatter the mixture onto the loose soil.
- Lightly rake them in.
- Water gently with a fine spray attachment on your hose so you don’t wash the seeds away.
- Keep the soil moist as needed.
- Expect germination in about 5 to 6 weeks if temps are between 62°F and 68°F.
- Once the seedlings hit about 2 inches tall, you can thin them out or transplant them.
Starting Seeds Indoors
If you want a head start, you can start seeds indoors from late February to early March. Sow them in trays with seed-starting mix and cover them with about 1/4 inch of soil. Place the tray in a warm, bright spot and make sure the soil doesn’t dry out. By mid-May, your little seedlings will be ready to move to a sunny or partially shaded spot in the garden.
Dividing Columbines
While it’s not the most common way to propagate them, you can definitely divide Columbines. In the spring or fall, carefully dig up the plant, trying your best not to damage the roots. Gently pull the root ball apart into two sections using your hands—be as tender as possible! Then, just replant both sections in a good spot.
