Needed information concerning soil composition for Columbines and naturally thought of Howard Garrett. Moved to the New Mexico southern mountains 8 years ago and my wife has educated herself on mountain cultivation vs. good old Texas soil and climate. At 7,000 feet and rocky/sandy soil with little water it is different than Commerce or Dallas growing. Will post our question regarding soil on the proper posting and hope for a good answer. This is a neat site! Jack

They are quite forgiving. The natives here will grow out of rock. Use the normal bed preparation of native soil, compost, available rock powder, a little cornmeal and a thin layer of native mulch. They like alfalfa meal as a fertilizer.

I grew up in the Puget Sound area and always saw wild columbines high in mountain meadows--imagine my surprise that they grow in yards down here in Texas!