McKana's Giant Columbine

McKana’s Giant is a vigorous, clump-forming hybrid columbine with long-spurred flowers in white, pale yellow, purple, pink, and red, including bicolors. The [RHS profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/273511/aquilegia-mckanas-hybrids/details) treats “McKana’s Giant” as a synonym of McKana’s Hybrids and gives a mature height range of 0.5–1 m; [Iowa State Extension](https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-columbine) identifies McKana Hybrids as Aquilegia × hybrida. ## In the garden Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. The open, branched flower stems suit cottage and informal gardens, wildlife plantings, and cut-flower borders. Flowers generally appear from late spring into early summer, though timing depends on climate. McKana selections vary, so color and mature size can differ among plants. Spread estimates vary: [RHS](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/273511/aquilegia-mckanas-hybrids/details) lists 0.1–0.5 m (about 4–20 inches), [Gardenia](https://www.gardenia.net/plant/aquilegia-mckana-columbine) gives 12–18 inches, and [Thompson & Morgan](https://www.thompson-morgan.com/p/aquilegia-mckana-hybrids/10397TM) lists up to 24 inches. Leave room around the clump and for the taller flowering stems. ## Maintenance Remove faded flowers to reduce self-seeding and encourage additional blooms. After flowering, cut back tired foliage to encourage fresh growth later in summer. Columbines are often short-lived perennials, and seedlings may not repeat the parent’s color consistently.