In my experience, when the plant goes to seed, that's the end of the flowering for the year. Enjoy it while it's there. Collect the seed and spread it around right away, for new plants that will bloom next year.

Columbine reseeds quite heavily. I cut the stalks green and don't let them reseed too much.

Thank You all for the advice.

Columbines are such easy plants to grow. I cut some dried seed pods off several plants this morning, held it over a plastic bowl and beat the stem on the side of the bowl and gobs of columbine seeds fell out. Put them in a paper envelope or plastic zip for next year. You can always throw the seeds back in the flowerbed and more will grow in the Fall ir not before.

Interesting MG - I never knew they would continue to bloom if you pinched the dead blooms. Seems like a LOT of work to do, but good to know nonetheless. Maybe next year I will do that with some of my favorites.

Dee

I also deadhead some of my columbine for continued bloom. Follow the blossom stem down until you see an itty bitty bud or two which is where the new blossom comes. Some blossom stems will not have any buds further down. I noticed tonight those are usually the center blossom stem of a group of three or more closely placed blossoms. Once you know where the new blooms form it is very quick to snip, snip off the dead ones.

I didn't know heading, now I have a bunch of seed pods. Can I deadhead them now?

Do you want them to self sow or not?

are these over wintered dead pods ... which are probably open and empty ...

or are you in so warm a zone.. that they are just done blooming ... if so.. just snip them off.. whats to lose ... they will either rebloom or they wont ... just the flower.. not the whole stem ... you should already see new immature buds ...

a picture would be worth a million more words ....

its really helpful if you provide a full set of facts ...

ken