McKana Giants Mix Columbine is a stunning perennial that is loaded with incredible bi-colored hybrid buttercups with long spurs and fern-like foliage. An All America Selections winner in 1955, this attractive perennial blooms large 3-4 inch wide flowers in vibrant color combinations of blue, red, pink, yellow, white, and purple. Expect visits from pollinators from late Spring to Summer for this special Columbine mix. Its long-lasting blooms make it an excellent choice for gardens, flowerbeds, borders, and bouquets as the flowers make beautiful, long-lasting additions to floral arrangements. Plus, the plant's low maintenance nature makes it an ideal addition to gardens looking for beauty with minimal effort. Resistant to deer, groundhogs, and rabbits.

Also Known As: Aquilegia, Granny's Bonnet, Dove Flowers, Wild Columbine, European Columbine, Red Columbine, Rocky Mountain Columbine, Blue Columbine, Yellow Columbine, American Columbine, Old Man's Bonnet.

Plant Name:	Columbine, McKana Giants Mix
Latin Name:	Aquilegia caerulea
Days to Germinate:	25-35
Days to Bloom:	180-230
Plant Height:	2 - 3 Feet
Spread:	12 - 18 inches
Bloom Diameter:	3 - 4 Inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	2-10
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Hybrid
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2026

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting for cut flowers easier. Lay down 1/2"-3/4" peat moss, sawdust, or potting soil, the soil surface. This layer is beneficial for flower seeds because it can the improve the germination environment and prevent soil crusting.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: For earlier blooms, you may optionally cold-stratify Columbine seeds for at least 30 days then start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant Columbine after the first hard frost in early Spring to cold-stratify seeds. Plants will germinate in late Spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. Fall planting is not recommended unless planting outdoors in environments with mild, frost-free winters, or planting indoors with supplemental grow lights. For blooms in late Spring of the following year, sow outdoors after the first hard frost in Fall to cold-stratify seeds.

To plant, make holes 1/8 inch deep and spaced 12 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover thinly with soil. In small plots, flower seeds may be scattered and gently watered in. Once seedlings emerge, plants can be separated and spaced 12 inches apart to allow room for mature plants to spread and prevent overcrowding. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/8 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	10 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches

Care During the Season:

Once established, McKana Giants Mix Columbine are hardy, drought-tolerant plants that require minimal maintenance. Water deeply during prolonged dry spells. Optionally, in early Spring feed coleus with a balanced liquid fertilizer to promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms. McKana Giants Mix Columbine benefits from cutting back its foliage in late fall or early spring to maintain a tidy appearance and allow room for new growth. Deadhead by removing spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowers. Drought tolerant perennial if managed.