Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Columbine is a very distinctive native woodland wildflower. It has very unusual nodding red and yellow flowers in late spring and magenta fall foliage in the sun.
Natural Habitat: Moist to dry, rocky woods
Light Requirements: Part sun to shade
Soil Requirements: Moist to dry
USDA Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Size: Height of 1’ to 3’
Wildlife Value: Bees, hummingbirds
Germination Requirements
Wild Columbine seeds require 60 days Cold Moist Stratification (abbreviated CMS in many reference guides). Stratification is the process of pre-treating seeds to overcome the seeds’ natural inhibitors that prevent germination in less-than ideal circumstances. They are quite small, so cover the seeds lightly when you sow them. A general rule is to cover seeds to a depth equal to their height.
Cold Moist Stratification can be accomplished by sowing the seeds and setting them outside when temperatures are consistently below 40 degrees. Seeds can always be kept cold longer than the required number of days, so it is fine to sow these in December and leave them outside for the entire winter. They will germinate when the soil warms up in spring.
Alternately, you can mix the seeds with a small amount of moist (not wet) sand, perlite or vermiculite in a baggie and place it in a refrigerator for 60 days. You should see a small amount of condensation on the baggie walls. If you choose to hold them there longer than 60 days, check the seeds periodically. Some seeds will germinate in the baggie. You will see the first root, the radicle, poking out. This is fine if you catch it early. If you let it go too long, the roots will become entangled. After chilling the seeds for 60 days, sow them by spreading out the contents of the baggie on the surface of your medium.
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