This plant self-seeds and crosses with other columbine plants and should be planted in early spring or fall. Although a short-lived perennial, the self-sowing makes it appear that the plants last ...

Littlefield suggests starting with some of the easiest perennials to start from seed. She names black-eyed susans, purple coneflowers, blanket flower (Gaillardia), columbine, Shasta daisies ...