I'm trying some of these straight from the plant. The seeds looked nice and dark when I removed them from the pod, but after two days in a damp towel they looked more of a dark green than black. Do you think maybe I've pulled these seeds too early?

I don't really know, chelle, as I've never tried the paper towel.

However, if not deadheaded here, they volunteer like weeds, within weeks of dropping from the plant. If I want a new plant in a particular place, I just pluck the mature seeds from the plant and throw the seeds on the ground where I want them. They usually come up fast, overwinter as seedlings, and bloom the next spring. Sometimes Mother Nature knows best.

I really think the trick to germinating columbine is to sow them as fresh as possible. Then they need no cold strat.

Karen

Good. Then if the seeds were mature enough, I should be fine.

I'm not trusting that they'll have an opportunity to self-seed where they are; that area is heavily mulched with wood chips at the moment. Once I get a layer of composted manure spread on top, they might, but who knows how soon I'll get all of that done.

Thank you.