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I bought some very small columbine (aquilegia) plants last year. They came back, triple in size this year & put on a great display of blooms. Now the blooms are gone. Do I deadhead them to get another gorgeous display next year? Or leave them alone?
Thanks for any assistance.
Pat
Hi there, If you want seeds to increase your stock, then let a FEW set seed, for each seedhead you gather, you will get hundreds of seeds as they are so small, however, IF you want to bulk up your plants for an even bigger and better show next year, deadhead and prevent them from forming seeds.
When the plants form seeds, they are useing up a lot of energy to do this, so it is really up to you what way you want to go as regards seed colecting, if you leave the seedheads on, they burst and ping all over the place and you will find new plants growing in the least expected places. so good luck and happy gardening, hope this helps you.
WeeNel.
You may also notice that the ones each succesive year do not look the same as the ones the seed came from. They get cross pollinated and you may end up with a completely different color. Part of the fun of columbines.
Oh my, what a gorgeous Columbine! It's the perfect shade of pink. I always let my Columbines go to seed and save some for sharing/trading and the rest get scattered throughout the garden where I'd like them to grow next year. It's really that easy to get them to grow...just throw a handful of seed. All of the seeds won't make it till next year so you shouldn't be overwhelmed...but what a gorgeous plant to be overwhelmed with!! With my Columbines whenever I'd cut them back the second bloom was never nearly as nice or profuse as the first bloom, which also means not nearly as many seeds (if you decide you want them)
Although I have bought a few 'named' columbines the past year or two usually I just get a packet of seed ,. mix with a little sand and toss! After a few years they do tend to revert to white and then I just pull them up and toss some more seed!
WOW--- thanks for all the ideas & info! I didn't know you could get a second bloom from columbine?!? I think I'll deadhead most of the spent blooms, but hand on to one or two seedheads from each plant. I have an odd, pie-shaped lot, & it would be great to have it lined with columbines in the spring once the bulbs have faded. Thanks again!
Pat
