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misspenny_gw

Deadheading Columbine, Helitrope & Sweet Alyssum

misspenny
16 years ago

Hello,

These are all new plants to me, I'm assuming that with the Columbine & Helitrope you cut off the spent blooms, what about Sweet Alyssum? Am I doing it right with the Columbine & Helitrope?

Thanks!

:)

Laura

Comments (13)

  • Nancy
    16 years ago

    I think you are quite right. Keep in mind that columbine is considered a short lived plant, 3 or 4 years, so you might allow a bit of reseeding to keep a few plants going. Normally though, deadheading will keep its energy longer than normal. That is just a general rule though, because I have some columbines that last longer.

  • Maryl (Okla. Zone 7a)
    16 years ago

    As Grahm states leaving the seed heads on the Columbine ensures that they will reseed and you will have more for next year. Be aware that Columbines are notoriously promiscuous. If you have different colors or types close to each other you may find a totally different color/form pop up next year when they bloom...The Sweet Alyssum I'm thinking about is an annual, so after it flowers it will die. Again, I let mine reseed around instead of deadheading it. Then next spring I can usually count on it coming up on it's own without having to replant it. That's of course if I didn't disturb the soil around where the plants had been too much. Small seed such as Alyssum and Columbine do best with only a light dusting (if that) of soil over them for germination. Heliotrope is a tender perennial for you (and most of us). I've always cut mine back just because it should bloom most of the summer for me (unlike Alyssum and Columbine which are good only in our cool spring).

  • entling
    16 years ago

    I deadhead my columbines as each blossom fades, until the last few, which I leave to go to seed. Otherwise they make way too many seeds for reseeding purposes.

  • Kat SE Wisconsin z5
    16 years ago

    I have the white alyssum and they bloom all summer. When they get too leggy I give them a hair cut. I leave about 1 1/2" or so left of the stems. Keep them watered well and fertilize and you'll get more blooms. The other colors of alyssum seem to die off when the heat hits, but the white ones just keep blooming. Some years they reseed well, others they don't.
    Good luck and enjoy!

    Kat

  • misspenny
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Thanks everyone,
    I will let a save a few columbine seed heads for reseeding and cut the rest. I don't mind other colors really. I actually bought seeds in color mixes as well as a few plants. It sounds as if I would be best srpinkling the rest of the seeds where I would like them in the fall. My seedlings arnt doing to well and I had wondered about that. I also bought the native variety seeds the pretty ones that I see at the state parks, they arn't coming up at all so we'll see what happens with fall planting instead.
    Thanks for the alyssum advise as well, I bought one white and one purple mix. I love that sweet smell. I'll let them be for now and cut back later if neded.
    I didn't realize Heliotrope was a tender perennial. Hopefully it will survive the winter if not I also bought a packet of seeds yesterday I can try it from seed each year I guess.
    Thanks!
    Laura

  • prairiemoon2 z6b MA
    16 years ago

    If you deadhead columbine, will you get more blooms or just cut off the seed capsules?

  • entling
    16 years ago

    Miss penny - I've had more luck removing the seedlings from the garden and growing them on in pots until they reach a size where they can fend for themselves. Usually by Fall I can put the seedlings into the garden.
    Prairiemoon - My columbines do not develop any more buds on deadheading.

  • mxk3 z5b_MI
    16 years ago

    Definitely dead-head the Heliotrope, you will get more blooms. Heliotrope is one of my favorite annuals, wouldn't be without it! (and don't forget to stick your nose in it and take in that wonderful fragrance!)

  • mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
    16 years ago

    Prairiemoon, it seems to depend on the columbine. McKana's hybrids I can keep blooming for more than 2 months if I keep them deadheaded. OTOH, chrysantha blooms for about 3 weeks no matter what I do.

  • prairiemoon2 z6b MA
    16 years ago

    Thanks..my first year with columbine and I am very pleased with them. I was discouraged with the leaf miner I had last year on some plants that hadn't bloomed yet. I saw a post in one of the forums suggesting to cut off any leaves with leaf miners in the fall and get rid of the leaves. Sure enough this spring on the plants I did that to, all the foliage is clean and leaf miner free. So now I am thrilled with them and looking forward to reseeding. I might have a McKana will have to wait to see them all bloom.

  • tkhooper
    16 years ago

    I don't deadhead my columbine. I've found that it is a great trade seed. And with close to 75 seeds per pod I get lots even though I only have a few plants.

    I was told that they live for 7 years but that the 3 and 4 year at the best year for blooms.

  • amberlwh
    15 years ago

    I have collected some seeds from my columbines and had heard that you are to clean the seeds before you store them correct? How do I clean them?

  • duluthinbloomz4
    15 years ago

    Columbine seeds are already clean when they shake out of the dried pods - you don't have to do anything further prior to storage.

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