Description
Earlybird Red-Yellow Columbine Seeds 6411.
Compact, Fiery Bicoloured Blooms Above Lush Mounded Foliage.
Earlybird Red-Yellow Columbine (Aquilegia x hybrida) is a vibrant, first-year flowering perennial prized for its compact habit and striking red-and-yellow bicoloured blossoms. Growing to a tidy mature garden height of 23 to 28 cm, this variety is noticeably more compact than traditional McKana Giants, making it ideal for front-of-border placement, woodland gardens, and patio containers. Short-stemmed flowers face outward above rich green foliage, providing a show-stopping late spring and early summer display that attracts hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial pollinators.
Quick Seed Details
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Product Code: 6411
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Botanical Name: Aquilegia x hybrida ‘Earlybird Red-Yellow’
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Type: Hybrid Perennial (First-year flowering)
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Height: 23–28 cm
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Plant Spacing: 30–45 cm
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Light Requirement: Light Shade to Partial Shade (Tolerates full sun in cooler climates)
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Soil Preference: Moist, rich, well-drained soil
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Germination: 21–25 days at 20–22°C (Requires light to germinate; pre-chilling recommended)
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Seed Count: Approx. 10 seeds per packet (800 seeds per gram)
What you need to know to Plant & Grow
Columbine seeds feature natural dormancy that responds exceptionally well to cold pre-treatment or autumn stratification.
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Indoor Sowing: For best results, chill seeds in the refrigerator at 5°C for 3 to 4 days prior to sowing. Start early indoors in a quality soilless growing medium. Surface sow seeds on top of the medium—do not cover, as light is beneficial for germination. Maintain a steady temperature of 20 to 22°C throughout the 21 to 25 day germination period. Move sprouted seedlings under grow lights at cooler temperatures before hardening off and transplanting outdoors after frost danger passes.
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Outdoor Direct Sowing: Direct sow seed outdoors in June, or sow again in August and early September for blooms the following spring. Alternatively, direct sow in late fall to allow seeds to undergo natural over-winter stratification.
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Garden Care: Space plants 30 to 45 cm apart in moist, well-drained soil in light shade. Keep plants well watered during dry spells and feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Why Earlybird Red-Yellow Columbine Seeds belong in Your Garden
If you want fiery, early-season bicolour blooms on neat, compact plants that thrive in dappled light, Earlybird Red-Yellow is an outstanding selection. Its short-stemmed habit, first-year flowering capability, and strong attraction for hummingbirds make it an essential feature for Canadian gardens and shady borders.
