How to Grow Giant Columbine

Wait until no chance of frost is probable in your area and the ground is fully thawed and no longer muddy. Look for a planting site that has full to partial sun exposure and moist, dark rich soil.

Dig a hole in the chosen site using a shovel, and make it the same depth as the giant columbine's nursery pot.

Remove the plant from the pot by tilting it sideways and sliding it gently out of the container. If needed, tap the bottom of the pot with your hand to loosen the roots.

Insert the columbine roots into the soil, ensuring the plant sits at the same level as it was in the pot. Backfill the hole until no air gaps remain. Plant additional giant columbine plants in the site, spacing them 18 to 24 inches apart.

Water the soil to a 4- or 5-inch depth immediately after planting. After planting, supply the same amount of water at least once per week through the growing season.

Apply a water-soluble plant fertilizer to the soil under the giant columbine once per month, using the dosage indicated on the fertilizer container.

Examine the flower blooms daily; prune off any that wilt using hand pruners and making the cut at the bottom of the stem. Removing the wilting stems encourages the plant to produce new ones.

Prune all the stems back to ground level in the fall once they turn brown and die. Use pruning shears and gather the cut stems and place them into a composter.