Columbine short or long term?

12 years ago

I have had some columbine planted in a partly sunny area for about 3 years. Most of it did not bloom this year except for one small clump.

I was not sure if the adjacent shrub shaded the columbine too much or it is just a short-lived perennial?

It also blew some seed a couple of feet away next to some roses. It looks great there!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

coolplantsguy
12 years ago
Yes, they are relatively short-lived, but as you've seen, will self-sow somewhat.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
12 years ago
Coolplantsguy's experience is mine as well. It isn't an aggressive self-sower and any that are in the wrong spot are easy to remove. If there is a particular place you need them, shake a few seeds into pots for transplanting when the previous ones die. I was just noticing an empty spot where one has been the last couple of years.
Related Discussions
Short and Long Term Temps/Precip
Q
Comments (1)
Normal weather over Michigan! Holy cow, this time I am going to plant the lettuce. I will ignore that persistent snow in the bog by the creek, and the snowplough pile at the end of the street. We will in fact break 60F (barely) Sunday.
...See More
Lonicera and Aphids: Long or Short term worry?
Q
Comments (4)
Mindy: Aphids are normally annoying but not plant killers. Depending on the situation. When I first start to notice aphids on my roses I either squish them or if there are tons of them it is time to get out the hose and blast them off with water. This summer I'm washing my roses a couple of times a week with water to help me keep any powdery mildew, worms and spider mites at bay also. You should be able to control an infestation of aphids easily with water and a little consistency. There is the option of using a spray like Safer Insecicide but in my opinion that should be a last resort. As you may be aware aphids are a favorite treat of ladybugs and once they show up they will have a major feast on any offending bugs you don't get rid of with the above steps. Hope this helps. Kate
...See More
Blue Spruce long-term, thuja short-term questions
Q
Comments (3)
MOST CONIFERS .... will not sprout from a cut stump ... definitely picea pungens ... i doubt on thuja ... regardless ... was just reading the generic roundup tech info ... and it is labeled as a stump killer at 50 to 100% .... concentrate.. not pre-diluted ... just apply it to the edge of the stump.. which would be the cambian layer ... when to remove.. is all a function of you and your saw.. and physical capabilities.. and available space. .. my goal is to remove it one season short of paying to have them removed ... with a ladder and hand saw.. you should be able to take down a 15 foot tree.. and with some rope.. make it hit the ground and nothing else .... but i cant really tell you what is within your capabilities ... i do NOT think techy is very aggressive... i do NOT know why you would go with the extra cost of a named variety.. when the straight thuja species are more likely to be native and faster growing .... check out the growth rate on thuja occidentalis ... a quick call to your county soil conservation district will get you more info than you need FOR YOUR AREA.... and they MIGHT have a fall plant sale.. for VERY CHEAP plants .... and i THINK mine offered a larger version of arb .. compared to the normal 12 inch plants .... good luck ken
...See More
Short Term Inexpensive Countertop Solutions?
Q
Comments (20)
Yes we only want a cheap option for a year or so before we upgrade the kitchen. The upgrade will be new countertops and possibly new cabinets. We don't know if we will sell within 5 years. We like this house, the neighborhood and the schools but I've learned to never say never. And to never count on a house being a forever house. As our children get older we might find that our needs change. With that in mind, I don't want to make any changes that will make it harder to sell. Most of the houses that go on the market in this neighborhood have painted or stained builder grade oak cabinets topped with new granite. It's not that I don't want to paint the countertops but that I'd rather not mess with it. Based on what I've read online many people paint/stain their cabinets and have good results. However, it seems that fewer people paint their countertops and that the outcomes are mixed. Painting the cabinets seems much more of a sure thing. Especially given that it's so common in this neighborhood and all of the homes have the same cabinets.
...See More
buyorsell888
12 years ago
My bloom just fine in the shade. They are short lived but do reseed. The hybrids don't reseed true.
hurlee
12 years ago
short lived, and somehow mine only produced 1-2 seedlings.
karate626
12 years ago
Is there any way to make them last longer? Like pruning it to the ground or digging up and root pruning?

T.J.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
short term is short term.. nothing you can do to make it last longer ...

the roots get woody and brittle over 2 years or so.. and they just fail ...

you aint going to make grandma live longer.. by cutting off her arms.. and moving her cross town ... hows that for a metaphor ...

ken
karate626
12 years ago
Lol Ken. I get the point now! I hope mine reseeds than!

T.J.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
12 years ago
Since I always had mulch, I rarely got any sprouts when I grew these. Don't think I ever had an individual plant make it to a 3rd year. If they are in a mulched bed, you might want to try snagging the seeds & sowing in pots to get them started.
User
Original Author
12 years ago
That is what was strange about our seed blowing across the walkway. It never happens to me because we use a lot of mulch and I am a big deadheader.
wren_garden
12 years ago
Every season I let my Columbines go to seed.I have the simple tall ones with the small nodding mini mum like flowers, not the fancy with the spurs and two color flowers. The pods dry and the tops start to split and I can see the small black seeds inside. I hold the stalk and cut below my hand then snip off the pod into a paper bag. When you get them all, shake the bag and pinch the pods and you will have seeds galore. My cottage garden is heavily planted in lu of mulch so I sprinkle seeds where I want new Columbine, lightly scratch them in and usually get a few starts there in spring. Good luck!
ramazz
12 years ago
I find columbines really easy to grow from seed, either by sprinkling where I want them or collecting the seeds and wintersowing them. I always have more seedlings than I can use. Of course, I don't mulch, for the most part, as I encourage re-seeding and am also going for the cottage garden look.

Becky

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES 13 Decorating Tips for Short-Term Renters

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Mirrors, curtains, lamps and other features set a stylish tone you can take with you

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES Improving a Rental: Great Ideas for the Short and Long Haul

By Laura Gaskill

Don't settle for bland or blech just because you rent. Make your home feel more like you with these improvements from minor to major

Full Story

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Columbine Grows Happily in Shade and Sun

By Paintbox Garden

Its ethereal beauty comes from complex forms and wide-ranging colors, but columbine’s benefits are highly attractive too

Full Story

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Hummingbirds With Red Columbine

By Pollination Press LLC

Grow Aquilegia canadensis in eastern perennial gardens or informal woodland plantings for its delicate foliage and uncommon red flowers

Full Story

GREEN BUILDING Zero Net Energy: A Hardworking-House Term to Know

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Homes that consume only as much energy as they produce by renewable means are a goal for builders. Learn what ZNE means for you

Full Story

MOVING 5 Risks in Buying a Short-Sale Home — and How to Handle Them

By Christine Tusher

Don’t let the lure of a great deal blind you to the hidden costs and issues in snagging a short-sale property

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES A Short History of the Sunburst Mirror

By Laura Gaskill

Learn the origins and uses of this popular, captivating home decor item

Full Story

FLOWERS Get Coneflower Blooms All Summer Long

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Plant these 5 native species to bring beauty to the garden — and pollen to the insects — from June through August

Full Story

INSIDE HOUZZ How Much Does a Remodel Cost, and How Long Does It Take?

By Erin Carlyle

The 2016 Houzz & Home survey asked 120,000 Houzzers about their renovation projects. Here’s what they said

Full Story

192

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: Parisian Modern Updates for a Toronto Coach House

By Mary Jo Bowling

Iconic furniture, creative groupings and bold colors turn a short-term Canadian rental into a knockout

Full Story

Columbine short or long term?

Comments (11)

coolplantsguy

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

Related Discussions

buyorsell888

hurlee

karate626

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

karate626

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL

User
Original Author

wren_garden

ramazz

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Columbine short or long term?

Comments (11)

Related Discussions

UserOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

User
Original Author