I have two columbine patches in a light woods. One red and the other blue. This year most plants didn't appear at all until August. I'd assumed they'd died, but now there are little 2 to 4 inch plants. But these plants range in age from 2 to 7 years. They are all marked. Needless to say I had almost no blooms. The weather hasn't been striking... slow spring, very dry August. Any ideas about what might have caused this?

tia
las

Are you sure what you are seeing are the original plants? They could be seedlings from the original plants.

Can you tell us where these plants are located and add some photos?

I agree with Daisy; and would also ask what type of columbine you have. You mentioned they are growing in a "light woods," so I'm wondering if they are the native columbine? I think the most likely scenario, whatever type they are, is that your original plants died out and you now have some seedlings.

The red are native to the northeast and Canada. The blue are not. But I've been growing both for almost 15 years. I'd agree with the new plants idea except that the small plants appear one per marker where the existing plants were. Also, if the new seedlings were from last year's seeds (no seed producing plants this year), they would have appeared in the spring.

Actually, mine kind of pop up all spring and summer...

but, we still don't know where you are located?

And a photo of the columbines would be good also.

Is it possible that some critter like deer or bunnies may have grazed them down very short, early in the spring when they usually come up? That might have set them back enough to sulk all summer and then put up some growth now.

Might want to make a couple of small chicken wire cages if you think that might be what's happening.

Columbines may be perennials, but they are a short lived perennial. 15 years seems like a long time for the original plants to have survived. The one I had in a half-barrel only lived about 12 years. Most of the resources I've checked only show them living for about 5 years. But that will of course vary with the variety.

I'm in Maine. I watch the patches pretty closely and a critter isn't a possibility.