Columbine "Mc Kana Giants" (mix)

Perennial growing to 0.6m by 0.3m . It is hardy to zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
The plant is self-fertile. We rate it 3 out of 5 for usefulness. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations: Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge. The seed is rubbed into the scalp to rid the hair of lice.
An easily grown and very tolerant plant, it succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position. Intolerant of heavy clay. Does well in semi-shade. Prefers a rather poor slightly acid soil.
A very ornamental and cold-hardy plant, it tolerates temperatures down to about -25°C. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.
Plants are pollinated by humming birds in the wild. Most species in this genus are short-lived, dying out after 2-3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically. However, they are very apt to hybridize with other members of the genus and so it becomes difficult to keep a species true to type if more than one is grown in the garden.
Propagation Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate. Stored seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring.
Scent Seed: Crushed Dried The seed is pleasantly aromatic.

Columbine "Mixture", European columbine, culverwort, European crowfoot, granny's bonnet, true columbine. Suom.: Akileija, lehtoakileija. Sven.: Akleja, ackleja, akvileja.