Ok has anyone every winter sown columbines? I've got 21 different ones and to start them indoors will be a large undertaking? Just wondering if anyone else had every tried them outdoors and what were the results?
Yes I have wintersown aquilegia this year. So far I haven't seen any seedlings yet. I know they do need stratification. You can place the seeds in a tray of moist soil, and place the tray in the refrigerator or freezer for about 3 weeks. Columbine seeds need light to germinate, so whether you start them indoors or out, press them lightly into the top of the soil. Seeds can take up to 25 days to germinate. Good luck!
Absolutely! My first year winter sowing I sowed some 'unknowns'. This was five years ago, and I still have them in the gardens. They are beauties - doubles which are as white as snow. In the shade garden they look great.
Since then I've winter sown any that have come through in trades, so now I have them here and there in the gardens in different shades of pinks and purples. This year I've sown some seeds which my mother gathered for me of her yellow ones.
Seeing as you are in a zone 4, winter sow them as per normal. Still plenty of time. Heck, I did mine this weekend! Like Narcissus states, just lightly press into the soil. Do not cover.
In terms of germination, they are sometimes erratic. I had one container germinate throughout the month of May last year and into June.
They worked for me! The one's I did last year stayed in the same container they were sown in last year all winter long outside and they are up and running now! So go ahead, sow those seeds! Be patient though sometimes they take a while to germinate, but they will come! Have fun! Trish
