Columbine

Hi everyone! I was given a few columbine plants. Will they overwinter and come back next year? No flowers, they are done blooming, so I can't collect seeds. Just wondering if I should keep them or toss them.......

hmmmm.......I'm still new to all this flower stuff too as I'm a slow learner cuz I can't ever remember anything........LOL
As far as I know though, they reseed and come back from seed. I still have my plants in a pot though as they actually look like they're growing so maybe they'll bloom again?

I'm pretty sure Columbines are winter hardy up to like zone 3. I've never had any luck with 'em, here. They either don't like the heat, or don't like the humidity, or something.

Good luck with yours!

Cheri'

thanks for the info sundry. I'll leave mine then and see what happens next year :)

Thanks I'll leave mine too, can't hurt I guess. :-D Flowox, let me know if yours blooms again.

I had a question, MaryE was kind enough to send me some seeds and I was just going to throw some out this fall and see what comes up in the spring...but, does anyone have a picture of what a seedling looks like. I would hate to pull them up thinking they were weeds (pulled up a whole section of amonones this year thinking they were weeds). Thanks

Looking forward to the same - would like to see pictures of these as seedlings.

There's a photo of some seedlings in the database
http://plantsdatabase.com/showpicture/2518/

Thanks a lot, I saved the link so I can look at it next spring.

Columbines are very winter-hardy, but they don't live for many years. Usually they survive at least for two blooming years, but with the new seedlings that appear, a colony should stabilize. Can't count on color being the same from year to year.

I have found that cutting them to the ground every year when bloom is done usually makes them live a lot longer. New foliage emerges within a few days, and the plant is less prone to insect/disease problems.

lupine here in the UK columbines are very long lived. MIne regularly live for 5 years or more. I guess your heat or something must exhaust them as columbines like cool, damp conditions. I know its not the cold. I have had plugs of plants outside about 2 inch square overwinter. They have been frozen solid and have defrosted just fine!

Definatly keep your plants Sue. As lupine says the colours will change and new colours should appear as they are very promiscous, constantly keeping you wondering what will apear next! The best way to propagate Columbines is by seed, as dividing them is seldom successful.

Thanks Lupi and Psilo :-)

I'm glad to know they will come back (or should!). How interesting they change color like that. Makes me want to plant a whole mass just to keep in interesting!

Sue, go for it! You will love the results :)

Psilo, you must be right; a lot of plants which are long-lived in cool climates are short-lived in most of US: delphiniums, lupines, columbine. All so necessary for a good border!

yes lupine, that is why the UK has some of the best herbaceous borders in the world! we have the best climate. I have started a love of meconopsis also. They grow well here but I know there are many of you in the US that have given up in frustration because of the heat!

Sure, go ahead. Rub it in. *grin

On the (tiny) plus side of your heat wave this year, perhaps a few of the plants that normally won't flower for you, maybe this year? I am thinking of some of the miscanthus grasses, etc? Just a bit of silver lining in the very dark cloud.

*g* sorry to disappoint you Lupine but everything has thrived this year! flowering periods have been shorter in some things but when they were cut back they reflowered in record time! :))
my soil is heavy clay so retains some moisture - the grasses love it !
surprisingly my meconopsis seem to love it to, but I guess they have forgotten to read the manual! ;)

Oh those are beautiful. I have a few seeds of (I think) Meconopsis betonicifolia that I want to try next spring. Maybe if I start them early enough......