“Where the Columbines Grow” … from Seed to Flower

By Jan Boone For the hearty and more persistent gardeners among us, braving the challenges of germinating flowering perennial plant seed, then growing and transplanting seedlings is an interesting area to research and pursue.   Frequently though, it’s often a lengthy and frustrating process.   Put obstacles aside momentarily and let’s start with a simple flower we all know, the Columbine. How many of you reading this posting recognize the title quote above as the first line of our state song?   Sitting here at my laptop, gazing out at 8” of snow on my back hillside, it’s hard to think flowering, colorful thoughts while the garden is buried underneath a white blanket.   But I can’t stop imagining this ‘purple dusted’ flower.   (Again, a descriptive phrase from our state song).   This delicate flower has become a true favorite of mine. Up until late this last summer, I had a small bed of Columbine growing by my front deck and another by my small water feature in the back yard.   Because