Plant either bare root or potted plants in early spring or fall in well-drained, amended soil rich in organic matter. Columbine prefers dappled shade in warmer climates, but does well in sunny locations (such as open meadows or alpine situations) in cooler climates.
If you are planting bare root, dig a hole deep enough to allow the fleshy, flexible roots to reach downward, and make sure the rhizome is about an inch below the soil.
Light: Full sun to dappled shade depending on your growing zone and the heat of your summers. Full sun in hot summer areas will encourage summer dormancy and leaf scorch, but full sun in cooler summer zones will result in better flowering and more compact plants.
Soil: Well-drained soil that remains evenly moist but not soggy or constantly wet is preferred. Situations with dappled hues, such as you might find at the edge of a forest, are perfect for Columbine. Such a location keeps roots and leaves cool while providing light to encourage good blooms. Heavy clay soils are not well tolerated; Columbine prefers sandier, loamier soils on the fatter side of average. However, be aware that overly rich soils can encourage vigorous upward growth that may require staking.
Spacing: Spacing 15”-18” apart, slightly less for dwarf varieties.
Acacia spreads naturally through seeds which are usually scattered around the base of the plant – as well as appearing elsewhere in the garden. The clumps grow larger over time and can be split with great care.
Planting: Plant in early spring or early fall for flowers next season.
How to grow acalysia throughout the season
Growth Habit: Depending on the species, Columbine will grow from 1-3′ tall and about 18″ wide. Plants form a soft, mounding clump of blue-green, deeply lobed foliage that appears in early spring. The fascinating, spurred flowers are in a large selection of colors and are often bi-colored. They are borne above the foliage from the center of the plant. After flowering, the foliage can be cut back to encourage new, fresh clumps of leaves to emerge. In areas with hot summers, especially in full sun, foliage often remains dormant and returns in autumn.Seeds can also sow into the cracks between stones or walls and remain green through a mild winter.
Stocking: No stocking is necessary, unless plants are grown in very rich soil.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist and do not allow Columbine to dry out significantly during its first year in the ground. Once established, Columbine are more drought tolerant, with deep tap roots that can access moist soil deeper down.
Fertilization: A top dressing of compost or well-rotted manure is enough to keep the acacia flowering well and not getting too leggy.
Mulching: Mulching is a good idea for columbine, as it thrives in an evenly moist environment.
Trimming and pruning: After flowering, the foliage can become dull and brown. Often, leaf miners (Columbine’s biggest pest) will disfigure the leaves with their white, intricate tunnels. Cutting the foliage to the base (and discarding it) will encourage new foliage to emerge for the season. However, if you live in a warmer climate, or if the plant is located in a full sun location, it may go dormant for the rest of the season until cooler temperatures prevail.
Divide and Transplant: If you divide, divide carefully. Columbine has deep roots and will sour after transplanting. Try to dig as deep as you can in a circle around the clod and lift the clod without breaking the ball of soil. Put it on the ground and divide quickly with a sharp spade, trying to keep a good amount of soil around the roots. Replant the sections carefully and keep them well watered.
Pests and Diseases: Leaf miners are the most well-known scourge of acacia. It winds its way through the leaves between the leaf surfaces and is thus not affected by sprays. However, the damage is purely cosmetic and many acacias in a cool summer will remain green with these white tunnels “decorating” the foliage. But if you want to work to remove this pest from your garden, cut the foliage down to the ground and throw it away – don’t compost it. New leaves will appear if the temperature is not scorching.
