Tips on How to Grow Columbine From Seeds
This charming native wildflower is a great addition to perennial gardens and is hardy to USDA zone 3.The plants can handle shade, but bloom best in full sun to light shade. It is a fabulous addition to rock gardens or flower borders and also makes a lovely cut flower. A favorite of hummingbirds who are able to access the tip of the petal's narrow spur which contains nectar.
When to plant outside: Early spring, 3 to 4 weeks before last spring frost is best, but you can also plant as late as 2 months before the first fall frost.
When to plant inside: 6 weeks before the average last spring frost.
Special Germination Instructions: Columbine germinates best with stratification, a process of subjecting seeds to moist/cold treatment to break the seeds' dormancy. To stratify, sow seeds into moistened soil and place the container in plastic bag in the refrigerator or freezer for about 3 weeks. Seeds can then be taken out and germinated outdoors, in a sunny window, or under grow lights. Columbine also requires light to germinate. Be sure to simply press seeds into soil surface (instead of covering with soil.) The process described above should give you the best results, but note that your Columbine seeds may germinate fine without the stratification treatment.