Plant Columbine
Revision as of 03:53, 12 April 2016 by 99.92.194.217 (99.92.194.217) (importing article from wikihow)
The columbine, with its long graceful stem and colorful flower, is a native plant of Colorado and has been named the official flower of the state. However, columbines are relatively hardy flowers and can grow in both the northern and southern regions of the country. To ensure a healthy plant, give your columbine a good start by planting it where it will receive all the sun and nutrients it requires. By learning how to plant columbine properly, you can enjoy the blooms with relatively little maintenance for a number of years.
Steps
- Choose a location for your columbine. These plants grow best in an area that gets full sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon. If you are unsure of the sort of light your area will receive, watch it for a few days and chart the sun exposure to determine if growing columbine in that area will provide optimal conditions for your plant.
- Prepare the soil for planting columbine. This flower thrives in soil that is well drained and rich in nutrients. Porous, slightly alkaline soils are the most favorable for newer plants, but once the columbine is well established in a garden, it grows well in nearly any soil condition.
- To ensure the soil has the right amount of nutrients at the time of planting columbine, add some fertilizer right away. You can continue to fertilize your plant monthly throughout the growing season to create a healthy root system and larger, more vibrant flowers.
- Start plants indoors from seeds for an economical approach to growing columbine. The seeds must have a few weeks of cold before they can germinate, so keep seed packets in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 weeks before planting. People in colder climates also plant their seeds outdoors in the fall and let them germinate naturally in the spring.
- Plant columbines in containers if you do not have much outdoor space. Because these plants also attract bees and hummingbirds, some people planting prefer columbines near windows where they can watch the wildlife. Columbines require a potting soil rich in nutrients and sufficient diameter in the pot to spread up to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. Container plants tend to dry out more often, so frequent watering is also essential to keep plants in top condition.
Video
Template:Video:Plant Columbine
Tips
- This plant is a biennial that will not bloom until its second season. If you want blooms the same year you plant your flower, purchase a columbine plant from the nursery.
- Columbines can be divided every couple of years by digging up the plants and gently separating them at the root. Columbines only live around 5 years, so you may need to begin the process of planting columbines all over again at that time to maintain the color in your garden.
- Remove dead flowers promptly when growing columbine, because these plants tend to cross-pollinate. If you are not careful, you may end up with a variety of colors in your plants eventually transforming to a single hue.
