I don't really know, chelle, as I've never tried the paper towel.
However, if not deadheaded here, they volunteer like weeds, within weeks of dropping from the plant. If I want a new plant in a particular place, I just pluck the mature seeds from the plant and throw the seeds on the ground where I want them. They usually come up fast, overwinter as seedlings, and bloom the next spring. Sometimes Mother Nature knows best.
I really think the trick to germinating columbine is to sow them as fresh as possible. Then they need no cold strat.
Karen
