Aquilegia oxysepala Oriental Columbine Seeds - Columbine, 25 seeds

Quantity: 25 Seeds / pack

Aquilegia oxysepala, the Oriental columbine, bears elegant nodding blooms with vine-red to reddish-lilac sepals and pale yellow inner petals. This woodland-style perennial grows 18-24 inches tall and suits shade borders, cottage gardens and rock gardens.

Why choose our seeds?

• Distinctive vine-red and pale yellow bicolor blooms on graceful nodding stems
• A shade-tolerant perennial for woodland edges, cottage gardens and rock gardens
• Reliable self-sower once established in the garden

How to grow Aquilegia oxysepala Oriental Columbine seeds

Choose Your Planting Method

• Indoors: Sow indoors in late winter; seeds need a cold period, so plan for stratification first.
• Outdoors: Sow directly outdoors in fall or early winter so the seeds receive a natural winter chill.

Prepare Your Materials

• Seed-starting trays or pots (if indoors)
• Well-draining potting mix
• Humidity dome or plastic wrap to hold moisture
• Spray bottle for misting

Sowing the Seeds

• Soak seeds in water for 24-48 hours, then cold-stratify: mix with moist sand or paper towel in a sealed bag and refrigerate for about 60 days.
• Sow 1/16 inch deep, barely covered; the seeds need some light to germinate.

Provide the Right Conditions

• Light: some light during germination
• Temperature: 60-65°F (15-18°C) after stratification

Germination

• Germination follows the cold treatment and can be slow and uneven.
• Keep the soil lightly moist throughout the process.

Transplanting

• Plant out seedlings when large enough to handle, after the last frost.
• Space plants 10-12 inches apart in fertile, well-drained soil.

Care Tips

• Sun: full sun to partial shade; appreciates shelter from strong midday sun.
• Water: keep the soil moist, especially while plants are young; mature plants tolerate some dryness.
• Plants grown from seed usually bloom in their second year.
• Deadhead to prevent unwanted self-seeding, or leave pods to mature for volunteer plants.

Bloom Time:

Late spring; flowers planted from seed typically bloom in their second year.