Columbine flowers grow best from seed, as the rootstock and foliage do not respond well to dividing. Give seeds a head start by planting them indoors six to eight weeks before the last expected frost. Press the seeds into rich potting soil, without covering, and provide plenty of light and moisture. Repot the strongest seedlings into larger containers, or transfer them into the ground. Columbines may not flower in their first year but will typically flower by the second or third year.