I planted columbine last year grown from seed. They didn't bloom but I realize now that isn't unusual. This year I'm hoping that they bloom. I was doing some clean-up in the garden today and saw this:





Are these flower stalks or just new leaves coming up?

They look like flowers.

Yeah! I can't wait to see what they look like! I have 3 plants from some swap seeds that just said they were pastel colors. Thanks Daisy!

Columbines hybridize freely so it will be interesting to see what you have. Post a photo here when they bloom.

Definitely!

The columbines all have obvious buds now! They all look pink to me so I'm assuming that's the color the flowers will be. Either that or red. I'm really excited to see them bloom!

After last night's rain one plant looks like it is finally starting to bloom! I'll have to take pictures this weekend and post them. I'm so excited! I had no idea they would have so many blooms! They seem to just keep throwing up more bloom stalks every day! I'm definitely planting more!

You won't have to plant more.

Oh I will! The bed they are in is heavily mulched so no reseeders.☹️ Plus I have lots of seeds from swaps! I've heard they don't live for more than 3-4 years and it took them 2 years to bloom. Better start some now so I'm never without!

They will reseed in the mulch.

Not at the rate they are going! The flowers started to open up but then stopped! I'm not sure what is going on. We had very hot temperatures last week (upper 80s & 90s) but yesterday was in the 70s.

Is there some reason the flowers aren't fully opening? They appear to be single flowers. The soil is moist. Should I add some fertilizer?

Are you able to post a photo? Hard to tell without one.

The ones in the backyard still aren't open but the one in the front finally opened two blooms!






I guess I'll just have to be patient with the ones in the backyard.

They look gorgeous! Congratulations.

Oh. And, no. I wouldn't fertilize them. I've never had to fertilize mine.
But they usually always get leafminers. If yours get them you can opt to dress them with some systemic insecticide if you don't like the damage. I've never lost plants to leafminers but the leaves look awful.

Yes, I get leafminers but I'm not going to treat the plants for them. By the time they hit the plants aren't blooming and people won't notice the foliage with the other plants blooming nearby.