It is not uncommon for gardeners to fall in love with columbines. No wonder, because its flowers look unusual and the plant requires little care. If you want to save yourself the purchase, you can easily multiply the columbine with the following methods!

The columbine reproduces itself by seeds

Self-sowing - every year again

One does not necessarily have to worry about the propagation of columbines. Once planted, these perennials can reappear year after year. They like to seed themselves. Its small, black-colored and oblong seeds ripen in summer. When ripe, the seed pod bursts open and throws the seeds into the environment.

As a result of self-seeding, plants arise that are not varietal, i. H. do not have the same characteristics as the mother plant. You may receive columbines with completely different flower colors. This can be positive, but also negative… Decide for yourself whether you want to cut off the faded flowers immediately or let the self-sowing run free!

Sow the seeds directly

  • Period: between mid-April and late May
  • if necessary, enrich the soil with compost beforehand
  • Mix seeds with sand
  • Scatter seed-sand mixture
  • rake in lightly with a rake
  • Moisten the soil with a garden hose with a spray attachment
  • from a size of 5 cm - if necessary - prick out

do the prep work at home

pre-breeding at home:

  • between late February and early March
  • Fill the container with seed soil
  • Sow 2 seeds in the middle of the pot
  • Scatter seeds in the seed tray
  • Sow seeds 3 to 5 mm deep or cover with soil
  • Keep substrate moist
  • Plant out from May in a sunny to partially shaded location

Divide vigorous columbines

While sharing is common practice with other perennials, it is not very common with columbines. But this multiplication is possible! You should be extremely careful when doing this so as not to injure the sensitive roots. In autumn or spring, dig up the columbine rootstock, divide it and plant the new specimens in a suitable place.

tips and tricks

There are also cold-germinating columbines. This includes, for example, the species called Aquilegia chrysantha. Your seeds should be placed in the fridge for 4 weeks before sowing, or on the cool balcony in spring.

Category:

Herbs